Rumours

March - 2010

 
HEADLINES
3003: Reds linked with Spanish star
3003: Raul linked with Liverpool move
          as contract at Real Madrid nears end

2303: Reds to sell Riera
1803: Torres named as
         Chelsea`s number one target

1303: McLeish linked with Reds
1303: Real Madrid president Florentino
          targets Liverpool boss Benitez










RUMOURS ARCHIVE


MARCH 30
Reds linked with Spanish star

By Adam Bryant - LFC Online

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has stepped up the chase for Athletic Bilbao midfielder Javi Martinez, according to
The Mirror.

Martinez, 21, has been on Liverpool's radar for the past two seasons but Benitez is putting together his hit-list for next season.

Liverpool sent a scout to watch Martinez at Atletico Madrid last Thursday and Bilbao are well aware of Benitez's interest.

Bilbao coach Joaquin Caparros said: "Javier is a monster of a player and can go very far."


MARCH 30
Raul linked with Liverpool move
as contract at Real Madrid nears end


Metro.co.uk

Spanish striker Raul is being linked with a move to the Premier League this summer, with Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez reportedly keen to sign him from Real Madrid.

The 32-year-old could be set to end his lifetime association with Real this summer after finding himself on the fringes of the first-team under Manuel Pellegrini.

Reports in the Spanish press say Benitez is keen to sign Raul on a free transfer.

However, Madrid may command a fee for the forward - who could line up alongside countryman Fernando Torres next season - as he has a 'contract for life' at the Bernabeu alongside goalkeeper Iker Casillas.

Los Merenges' directors are thought to be reluctant to allow the club legend, who is their all-time record goalscorer, to join a European rival - instead preferring to sell him to an American club for his career swansong.

Several teams in the MLS are tracking Raul, including former Real star David Beckham's LA Galaxy, although the player himself may be tempted by the lure of a two-year contract in the Premier League.

Reds boss Benitez is known to have been a keen admirer of Raul since his days as manager of Valencia, before taking over at Anfield in 2004.

It is not the first time the 102-cap veteran has been linked with a team in England.

Raul's agent Gines Carvajal revealed a few months ago that Chelsea had bid in the region of £70 million for his services shortly after Roman Abramovich's takeover at Stamford Bridge.

While news of the potential new signing will undoubtedly excite Liverpool supporters, it should be treated with caution.

The rumours as they are stem from Catalan-based reports, rather than Marca - which is usually a reliable source of information on goings-on behind the scenes at the Bernabeu.


MARCH 23
Reds to sell Riera

By Adam Bryant - LFC Online

Liverpool have agreed a £6m deal for Albert Riera to join CSKA Moscow.

According to the Guardian, the deal will be completed by the end of the week.

The news follows the Spanish winger's outspoken views about the manager ahead of Liverpool's Europa League clash with Lille last week.

He was immediately suspended and it comes as no shock that he is on his way out of the club so quickly.


MARCH 18
Torres named as
Chelsea`s number one target


Football 365

Fernando Torres is being touted as Chelsea's number one transfer target as Fleet Street predicts a comprehensive revamp of the club's first-team squad following their ignominious Champions League exit.

Though some reports have suggested that the position of Carlo Ancelotti is under threat after Tuesday night's defeat to Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan, the general consensus is that Roman Abramovich will keep faith with the Italian and re-open his chequebook to fund a lavish spending spree.

"Ancelotti may thus be able to consider moves for long-standing targets such as Fernando Torres, Franck Ribéry or Sergio Agüero," reports The Guardian. "Torres is emerging as the club's principal target and the Spanish striker's future at Liverpool could be decided by the level of investment attracted to his club in the next few months."

A concurring Daily Mirror also declares that Ancelotti wants to build a "dream team" front pair of Didier Drogba and Fernando Torres next season. Chelsea's wish-list is headed by Liverpool superstar Torres, with the Blues ready to table a £50million bid if they see any signs the Spaniard wants to leave Anfield.

"Chelsea know that Manchester City, who can outbid the Stamford Bridge side, have also targeted Torres, especially after his recent admission that he would not automatically go back to Spain if he decides to quit Liverpool."


MARCH 13
McLeish linked with Reds

By Al Campbell - LFC Online

Alex McLeish has been linked with Liverpool.

The Birmingham City manager is being linked with the Reds as a replacement for Rafael Benitez should he quit for Juventus or Real Madrid, or end up sacked after a dismal, depressing season according to today's Daily Mirror.

The two parasites in charge of our club are no doubt impressed with the way McLeish has got Birmingham up into eighth place in the Premiership while spending only peanuts.


MARCH 13
Real Madrid president Florentino
targets Liverpool boss Benitez


tribalfootball.com

Real Madrid are ready to test Liverpool's resolve over manager Rafa Benitez.

The Spanish giants will sack Manuel Pellegrini in the summer, after their Champions League defeat by Lyon.

Real president Florentino Perez has under-fire Liverpool chief Benitez as the front-runner on a shortlist that also includes Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti.

A top Real source told The Sun: "Rafa is the preferred choice. He is a Madrid man and his agent, Manuel Garcia Quillon, has an excellent relationship with the club.

"Above all, though, his record in Europe is exceptional. The club want to return where they believe they belong - to be the No 1 team in Europe again. They believe Rafa is the man to make that happen."

Benitez was a coach at Real's academy at the start of his career and has not hidden the fact he would love to coach them at some point.

One problem could be he does not see eye to eye with Real technical director Jorge Valdano. But that is not deemed to be an obstacle.


Thor Zakariassen ©