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FEBRUARY 19
Real
Madrid chiefs approve Gerrard bid
Kop Talk
Newspaper reports today claim that the Real Madrid board have
approved a request by Vanderlei Luxemburgo to make a formal £30million
bid for the services of Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard in the summer.
President Florentino Perez is a keen admirer of Gerrard but is aware of
Chelsea's interest in the player. Perez demanded the first option on
Gerrard during the transfer negotiations of Fernando Morientes last
month but that was rejected by the Liverpool board.
The Real board are said to have approved the bid during a routine board
meeting earlier this week. Liverpool insist that they will turn down all
bids for the player in the summer even if they top £50million.
FEBRUARY 7
Reds monitor
Malaga stopper
By Francisco Acedo - Planet Football/Sky Sports
Liverpool are keeping tabs on Malaga defender Juanito who will be out
of contract at the end of the season.
The Reds are understood to have dispatched scouts to watch the
24-year-old twice in the last month, although boss Rafa Benitez has held
a long-term interest in the centre back - who can also play as a
defensive midfielder.
Benitez was considering a move for Juanito last summer when he moved for
then Malaga team-mate Josemi, and has kept a watching brief on the
player's progress.
The fact he will become a free agent in the summer makes him an even
more interesting option, and Malaga - who are in a desperate battle to
avoid relegation from La Primera - are still stalling on offering him a
new deal.
Juanito's agent, Ramon Arasa, confirmed he has fielded interest from
abroad in his client, and believes the player is more likely to move on
at the end of the season than stay at La Rosaleda.
"At this moment I believe the destiny of the player is closer to another
club," he stated.
"We have propositions from Spain and Europe."
On the possibility of the player being offered a new contract by Malaga,
he continued: "This subject is still on stand-by.
"Malaga have not said never to a possible new deal, but time is
passing."
If Liverpool do, as expected, firm up their interest in the stopper they
are likely to face competition from Deportivo La Coruna who have also
been mooted as long-term admirers.
Benitez has already brought in six players from La Liga, and is known to
favour the Spanish market for the value he feels he can achieve from it.
FEBRUARY 5
Gerrard agreement will allow
him to make £28m switch to Real
Kop Talk
Newspaper reports today claim that Steven Gerrard will snub Chelsea
in the summer and instead sign for Spanish giants Real Madrid for
£28million.
It is claimed that the Liverpool skipper has a verbal agreement with
chief executive Rick Parry that would allow him to leave at the end of
the season in a deal that could total £35million depending on
appearances.
£125,000-a-week is what the speculative report suggests Real will pay
Gerrard if he signs for them.
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