MAY 31
City 'to
pay £42m'
for wanted duo
TEAMtalk
Manchester City are reportedly ready to flex their
financial muscle in order to win the transfer chase for Carlos Tevez and
Gareth Barry.
City's Abu Dhabi owners are prepared to meet the £32million asking price
for Manchester United striker Tevez, set by Media Sports Investment
president Kia Joorabchian.
The News of the World claims Joorabchian, whose company owns the
economic rights to the Argentina international, will meet Old Trafford
chiefs this week for one final meeting.
If he does not receive assurances from United that they wish to pursue a
deal for Tevez, Joorabchian will look to City who have prepared a
£140,000-a-week four-year contract for the 25-year-old.
Liverpool and Chelsea are also understood to have expressed an interest
in Tevez but cannot match the spending power of City.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa's England midfielder Barry could also make the
move to Eastlands this summer.
Liverpool are again heading the chase for the 28-year-old, with Arsenal
and Tottenham in the running too.
But City are said to be confident that their £10million bid and
£90,000-a-week contract offer will ultimately win out.
MAY 31
Report: Real Madrid & Liverpool
reach Xabi Alonso agreement
By Arjun Miglani - Goal.com
Liverpool and Real Madrid have reached an agreement
over Xabi Alonso, and the player will be presented next week, according
to reports.
According to Sport, the two clubs have settled on terms and all the
remains is the player's signature. The initial transfer fee is €25
million, but the fee could increase depending on whether or not
Liverpool can come to an agreement with Gabriel Heinze, who could be
part of the deal.
Alonso is expected to sign a five-year contract and will be presented
next week, when he will be in Madrid for the Spanish training camp ahead
of the Confederations Cup.
It is believed that Liverpool also tried to involve Alvaro Negredo in
the discussions, but that was not a viable option, since Madrid would
have had to pay €15 million just to exercise their buy-out clause with
Almeria.
Rumours are also suggesting that Florentino Perez will present his new
coach next Monday, with Manuel Pellegrini the overwhelming favourite.
Alonso is likely to be the first of many signings over the summer, with
Perez expected to spend in excess of €300 million.
MAY 27
Babel to be
sacrificed by Reds?
BreakingNews.ie
Ryan Babel could be the first high-profile departure
from Liverpool as manager Rafael Benitez plans his summer restructuring.
It is understood that following talks with the Dutch international’s
agent, Benitez has told the winger he is free to talk to other clubs
about a possible £11m move.
Babel arrived at Anfield in July 2007 and has scored 14 goals in 91
matches for the club – although only 42 of those were as a starter. But
despite early promise, he has failed to hold down a regular place in the
side and has mainly been used as an impact player from the bench.
He has reportedly asked for assurances that he will be given more of an
opportunity next season.
But following discussions with the player’s agent, Winnie Haatrecht,
Benitez has been unable to offer such guarantees after starting with
Babel only six times in the Barclays Premier League this term.
It has appeared likely for some time that Benitez would be prepared to
listen to offers for Babel, and now he is ready to use the 22 year-old
to raise cash.
Babel was signed from Ajax, who yesterday appointed Martin Jol as their
new manager, but the asking price to re-sign their former player would
rule out the Dutch club.
The youngster has admirers in England, with Aston Villa, Tottenham and
Arsenal believed to be showing interest.
Benitez needs cash to fund a spending spree that could bring Carlos
Tevez, David Silva and Gareth Barry to Merseyside.
Barry’s future at Villa is again in doubt with the club’s owner Randy
Learner yesterday claiming the player would stay at Villa Park after
discussions started over a new contract.
But Barry is known to want Champions League football, and Liverpool
could sweeten a possible move by including Babel as bait. Villa still
want £10m for Barry and a swap deal may suit all parties.
MAY 24
Report: Alonso to hand in
transfer request at Liverpool
By Gill Clark - Goal.com
Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso is reportedly
prepared to shock the club by handing in a transfer request.
The News of the World claims that the Spanish international will leave
Anfield this summer and is ready to hand manager Rafael Benitez a
written request.
Alonso’s future has been the subject of much debate since last summer,
when Liverpool began a long and drawn-out chase for Gareth Barry.
Whilst the Barry deal fell through and Alonso remained on Merseyside,
speculation has continued to mount over his future, despite the
midfielder enjoying an impressive season with the Reds.
Manager Benitez has insisted that he wants Alonso to stay at the club
yet it now appears that he may be forced into selling his compatriot.
It is understood that Alonso is becoming increasingly unhappy at the
club and wants to leave this summer. Furthermore, his agent reportedly
met Benitez on Friday to inform him of his client’s decision.
The tabloid goes on to quote a friend of the player as saying, “Xabi
loves Liverpool but he doesn't feel he can stay. He has not been happy
for a long time and wants to go somewhere he feels he can enjoy his
football again.”
Liverpool will hope to raise £18 million from selling Alonso, concludes
the report, money which they are then planning to spend on Carlos Tevez.
Alonso, meanwhile, is unlikely to be short of suitors with Real Madrid,
Manchester City, Arsenal and Juventus all thought to be interested in
signing the 27-year-old.
MAY 21
Real
Madrid step
up bid for Alonso
The Daily Telegraph
According to the Sun, Florentino Perez has made Alonso
one of his primary targets should he win the Real presidential elections
on June 17.
Real attempted to sign Alonso five years ago, with Alonso's agent -
Inaki Ibanez - meeting with Perez to hammer out a deal.
Premier League 'Galactico' alert as Florentino Perez runs for Real
Madrid presidency. However, negotiations collapsed and Alonso eventually
joined Liverpool from Real Sociedad for £10m.
Perez, though, remains interested in the Spain international, and
although Liverpool have stated Alonso is not up for grabs, with a
spokesman saying: "There has been no contact, the player is not for
sale", Real are confident they can get their man.
Manager Rafa Benitez does not want to lose Alonso, who has played such a
key role in Liverpool pushing Manchester United all the way in the race
for the Premier League title, but realises he will have to sell players
if he is to raise the necessary funds to strengthen his squad.
Benitez has been linked with moves for Gareth Barry, David Silva, Glen
Johnson and Carlos Tevez, and Perez is convinced Liverpool will listen
to offers if the price is right.
MAY 13
Ex-United striker
may join Liverpool
Sport.co.uk
According to reports in Spain, Atletico Madrid forward
Diego Forlan, once of Manchester United, is on the verge of joining
Liverpool.
Spanish publication Sport suggests Liverpool have a verbal agreement in
place for the striker who has scored 27 goals in 29 games this season,
which leaves him in second place in the Pichichi race to Barcelona’s
Samuel Eto.
Arsenal and Manchester City have both been linked with Forlan, and
although he has thrived in La Liga, his agent recently suggested a
return to the premier league may suit the Uruguayan.
Daniel Bolotnikoff said in March: “I have received calls from big
European clubs requesting information about the situation, but I am not
authorised to give their names.”
“My answer is always the same. Atletico Madrid will decide on this
subject.”
“Diego is enjoying a great season in front of goal and is happy in
Madrid, but at the end of the season we will be in a better position to
evaluate the situation.”
“Forlan could have a big role in England.”
Reports suggest the two clubs are yet reach an agreement, however a
player plus cash deal, allegedly involving Liverpool’s Lucas Leiva
moving in the opposite direction may be in the offing. Alternatively
Liverpool could buy the player with a €24 million bid.
Forlan scored just 10 goals in 63 games during his spell at Old Trafford
between 2002 and 2004, but has since scored 47 goals in 81 games for
Atletico having previously starred for Villarreal.
MAY 13
Benitez to add
Silva lining to title tilt
Sport.co.uk
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has offered Valencia a
take it or leave £15 million bid for their star winger David Silva
according to the Sun.
The former Valencia coach, who left the club to join Liverpool in June
2004, has been a long-time admirer of the European Championship winner,
and has made attempts to sign the player previously.
Benitez had recently hinted a deal to buy the winger was off, after he
expressed his disappointment at Valencia’s handling of the deal.
He said: “Our chief scout was in Valencia and talked with different
people from the club but someone was talking too much.”
“If we are going to look for someone we will not announce it to everyone
— we will try to do it properly and secretly.”
Valencia are currently riddled with over a £100 million worth of debt,
and are looking to off-load their priced assets David Villa, David Silva
and Raul Albiol.
Newspaper reports suggest Benitez’s offer for the wily Spaniard will be
his last, and should Valencia reject the bid, the Anfield boss will turn
his attentions to other targets, believed to be Middlesbrough’s Stewart
Downing or Tottenham’s Aaron Lennon.
MAY 12
Tevez wants
to join Liverpool
footylatest.com
In a shock report this morning in the Sun, they reveal
that Liverpool have contacted the representatives of Carlos Tevez
regarding a summer move to Man Utds great rivals.
If this goes ahead it will incense Alex Ferguson who pulled out all the
stops to deny Gabriel Heinze a move to Anfield when he wanted to leave.
The paper also says that Tevez himself has told his agent Kia
Joorabchian that he is keen on playing alongside Fernando Torres in the
Liverpool front line.
The transfer would be perfect for Tevez as he wouldn’t need to move
house from Cheshire where his wife and child are settled and happy.
MAY 10
Report:
Liverpool on brink
of signing Danijel Pranjic
By Gill Clark - Goal.com
Liverpool are reportedly closing in on Heerenveen
winger Danijel Pranjic, in a deal believed to be worth around €9
million.
The Croatian international has long been linked with a move away from
the Dutch side and he admitted recently that he would welcome a move to
Anfield.
That move is now looking a little more likely with the Sunday Mirror
reporting that he is set to become Rafael Benitez’s first summer
signing.
The 26-year-old has been in excellent form for the Dutch side this
season and has attracted interest from the likes of Sevilla and Real
Betis.
It is Liverpool, however, who are clear favourites to claim his
signature.
The British tabloid reports that Pranjic’s agent has been back and forth
between the two clubs this week in a bid to discuss terms and seal the
deal.
Heerenveen director Yme Kuiper has also admitted that the Reds are
Pranjic’s preferred destination, saying, “We understand Liverpool is the
club where Pranjic wants to go.”
Pranjic has scored 16 goals this term and helped the Dutch side to
ensure they will play in Europe next season.
However, Pranjic now appears set to leave the Eredivisie and should he
complete his move to Anfield, this may even signal the end of Albert
Riera’s Liverpool career.
MAY 10
Report: Benitez ready to sell
eleven Liverpool players
By Gill Clark - Goal.com
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is reportedly set for a
summer clear-out, with 11 players expected to leave Anfield.
The News of the World claims that the Spaniard is ready to sell a whole
host of players including Ryan Babel, Albert Riera and Xabi Alonso, in
order to raise funds.
The tabloid claims that Benitez needs the finances in order to finally
sign Gareth Barry from Aston Villa and to compete with the likes of
Chelsea and Manchester United in the transfer market.
Along with Babel, Riera and Alonso, the Liverpool boss is reportedly
also ready to offload Jermaine Pennant, Philipp Degen, Charles Itandje,
Sami Hypia, Jack Hobbs, Andriy Voronin, Sebastian Leto and Andrea
Dossena.
Benitez is hoping to raise more than £44 million from these player sales
and is rumoured to be handed a further £20 million from the club’s
American owners.
These not inconsiderable funds will allow the Spaniard to secure the
signature of Gareth Barry for £8 million, after spending most of last
summer chasing the midfielder.
Whilst Barry has remained at Villa this season, he has made no secret of
his desire to leave and join Liverpool and he may now finally get this
wish at the end of the season.
Should Barry arrive at Anfield, this could even spell the end for Xabi
Alonso who, despite being close to leaving the club last summer, has
enjoyed an impressive campaign with the Reds.
Despite being a fan favourite, the Spaniard could be deemed surplus to
requirements and with both Juventus and Manchester City reportedly
interested in signing him, his time at Anfield may be coming to an end.
MAY 4
Report: Lucas Leiva heading
towards Liverpool exit doors
By Ricky Brooks - Goal.com
According to a report in the British tabloid The Daily
Mirror, Premier League outfit Liverpool are preparing to sell Lucas
Leiva at the end of the season.
Reds manager Rafael Benitez has said that the club will have to sell in
order to fund purchases and it seems that the 22-year-old is one of the
players the Spaniard is ready to cash in on.
Since arriving at Anfield from Brazilian club Gremio in 2007, the
midfielder has struggled to hold down a regular place in the starting
XI, featuring only 38 times from the outset of games
It is thought that the three-time capped Brazil international will fetch
a fee in the region of €6.7 million (£6m), with teams in Italy and Spain
apparently interested in acquiring his services.
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