JUNE 29
Report: Real Madrid ready
£20m bid for Gerrard

Goal.com

Real Madrid are set to test Liverpool's resolve to keep hold of skipper Steven Gerrard by slapping in a £20 million bid, according to The Times.

Gerrard, 30, has been linked with a switch to the Bernabeu for a number of months after the Reds slumped to a seventh place finish in the Premier League. Rising debt and disquiet about the removal of ex-manager Rafael Benitez are reported to have made the England captain unsettled on Merseyside.

New Real head coach Jose Mourinho has been a long-term fan of Gerrard and tried to sign him when he was in control at Chelsea. After wrapping up the signing of Argentina World Cup 2010 winger Angel Di Maria, he is understood to have instructed president Floretino Perez to add the midfielder to his ranks.

JUNE 28
Liverpool priced out of deal
for Galatasaray coach Rijkaard

tribalfootball.com

Liverpool have been priced out of a move for Galatasaray coach Frank Rijkaard.

The Mirror says Fulham boss Roy Hodgson will take charge of Liverpool this week.

Liverpool also explored the possibility of recruiting Rijkaard from Galatasaray but the Dutchman earns £6m a year and has a £2m buy-out clause.

JUNE 28
Hodgson wants transfer cash
guarantees before taking Liverpool job

tribalfootball.com

Fulham boss Roy Hodgson wants guarantees over transfer spending money before committing to the Liverpool job.

The Mirror says Hodgson will be appointed Liverpool boss this week once he has finalised a guaranteed transfer kitty.

Liverpool are prepared to meet Fulham’s compensation demands to name Hodgson, 62, as Rafa Benitez’s successor.

But the former Inter Milan and Switzerland manager wants a pledge of transfer funds before accepting the post.

Hodgson knows Liverpool’s squad badly needs rebuilding after a desperately disappointing campaign.

JUNE 27
DIC return to negotiating
table with Liverpool

tribalfootball.com

Dubai International Capital are again in takeover talks with Liverpool.

The Sunday Express says while managing director Christian Purslow has been concentrating on finding Rafa Benitez’s successor, chairman Martin Broughton has been focused on attracting buyers to take over from George Gillett and Tom Hicks.

One of Broughton’s tasks has been to knock down Hicks’ claims that the Americans were looking for £800million.

He has been in advanced talks with parties in the Middle East, including Dubai International Capital, and believes a deal could be done for £500m.

JUNE 27
Cambiasso in Mascherano swap?

Football Italia

Rafa Benitez could sacrifice Esteban Cambiasso to sign Javier Mascherano, while there’s also interest in Daniel Agger, Lucas and Glen Johnson.

According to the Sunday Mirror, Benitez is bringing out the big guns to break down Liverpool’s resistance.

The £30m price-tag is too steep for the Nerazzurri, but that figure would be cut down significantly if Cambiasso were offered as part of the deal.

It would be a deeply unpopular decision with the supporters, who consider ‘Cuchu’ to be one of the key players in their Treble-winning run.

He was surprisingly dropped from Argentina’s World Cup squad, but proved to be an immense bargain, as he was signed on a free transfer from Real Madrid in 2004.

During his time at the club, Cambiasso has won five Scudetti, three Coppa Italia titles, three Italian Super Cups and the Champions League.

The player turns 30 in August, whereas Mascherano has just celebrated his 26th birthday.

These aren’t the only deals involving Inter and Liverpool, as it’s reported Benitez is also preparing a £29.8m triple swoop.

According to caughtoffside.com, Inter see England full-back Johnson as the ideal replacement for Real Madrid-bound Douglas Maicon.

Danish centre-back Agger and Brazilian midfielder Lucas are also targets and would cost almost £30m for all three Liverpool stars.

JUNE 25
Mascherano unlikely
to join Inter

By Salvatore Landolina - Goal.com

Inter president Massimo Moratti has said Javier Mascherano is unlikely to arrive from Liverpool.

"Mascherano is strong, but it is improbable that he will come. He costs too much and plus it's not said that Liverpool will sell him," he told Rai.

Inter have been linked with the Anfield midfielder as he is admired by former Reds coach Rafael Benitez.

But Moratti is looking elsewhere for reinforcements.

"Felipe Melo? It's an intriguing idea which we are working on."

And the chief hopes revamping the squad will lead on to further success on the trophy front.

"We want to start well and win everything even next season. Benitez is different to others. He is good and he is a hard worker," he concluded.

JUNE 25
Reds move for keeper

Clubcall.com

Liverpool are reportedly poised to return to Wolves with an improved bid for goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey.

The Reds are already said to have had a £2million offer for Hennessey rejected by Wolves boss Mick McCarthy but remain keen on the Wales international and would like to sign him as back-up for first-choice Pepe Reina.

Hennessey, who is 23, broke into the Wolves side during the 2007-8 season but founds himself on the substitutes bench for much of last season with Marcus Hahnemann being preferred in goal.

Liverpool are thought to have been searching for a reliable understudy to Reina for some time, with Reading's Adam Federici previously linked with a move to Anfield.

JUNE 24
Liverpool set to announce
Roy Hodgson as manager

By Andy Hunter - guardian.co.uk

Liverpool expect to finalise the appointment of Roy Hodgson as the club's new manager following his return from South Africa today.

The Fulham manager, who has been commenting at the World Cup for the BBC, has been the frontrunner for the Liverpool job since Rafael Benítez left Anfield this month and could be confirmed as the Spaniard's successor within days.

Liverpool have considered several candidates for the position, including the former Real Madrid and Villarreal coach Manuel Pellegrini, but Kenny Dalglish, the club legend asked to conduct the managerial search alongside the managing director, Christian Purslow, is not in the running.

Anfield officials are confident of securing a deal with Hodgson now that he has returned from South Africa and with his prospects of being offered the chance to succeed Fabio Capello as England manager diminished by the national team's World Cup victory over Slovenia.

It is understood the make-up of Hodgson's backroom staff is one of the issues to be resolved prior to his appointment, with the 62-year-old keen to bring the Fulham assistant manager, Mike Kelly, with him to Merseyside.

While Liverpool await the arrival of their next manager, Yossi Benayoun is close to leaving Anfield for Chelsea after the two clubs agreed a £5m fee for the Israel international.

JUNE 24
Juventus planning bid for
Liverpool winger Riera

tribalfootball.com

Juventus are keen on Liverpool winger Albert Riera.

The Spain international almost quit Liverpool last season over a bust-up with manager Rafa Benitez. However, with Benitez now in charge of Inter Milan, it was expected Riera would be staying at Anfield.

Sport Italia says Juve are preparing a £6.5 million offer for Riera.

Hamburg and Stuttgart are also monitoring the Spanish winger's situation.

JUNE 24
Hodgson to meet with Liverpool FC

By Jason Darby - Anfield Online

Roy Hodgson is to return to England following his brief stint commentating for the BBC at the World Cup.

With Capello’s men safely through to the last 16 his high hopes that the FA may call on him to take up the England job appear to have receded and it is believed the Liverpool FC board have now decided that Roy is Liverpool’s number one target.

Liverpool are believed to have interviewed Martin O’Neill, Manuel Pellegrini and Alex McLeish as part of the search but are now shifting their focus back on to the Fulham boss.

The appointment could affect Kenny Dalglish’s future at the club. The former manager and player is believed to have been disappointed by being snubbed by the board.

The reds have been without a manager for 21 days and are keen to tie up a deal before more Liverpool players complete their World Cup campaigns. Milan Jovanovic is one player who will now be seeking to secure and clarify his future.

JUNE 24
Liverpool to hand new manager
£50m summer transfer kitty

tribalfootball.com

Roy Hodgson is expected to have £50 million to play with when he takes charge of Liverpool.

The Mirror says Liverpool hope to name Fulham boss Hodgson their new manager in the next 48 hours.

Yossi Benayoun’s intended departure to Chelsea should be completed by the end of the week, with the £5million fee added to an initial transfer kitty of £15million.

And with Argentina international Javier Mascherano also likely to depart for a fee in excess of £30million, with both Barcelona and Inter Milan pursuing the midfielder, then the new boss could have upwards of £50million to spend, especially with peripheral figures like Albert Riera, Ryan Babel, David Ngog and Diego Cavalieri on the way out.

JUNE 24
Reds eye up Rijkaard

Sky Sports

Skysports.com understands Liverpool have lined up a move for Galatasaray boss Frank Rijkaard as they search for a new manager.

The Reds are still hunting a replacement for Rafa Benitez following the Spaniard's departure from Anfield earlier this month.

A number of names have been linked with the Anfield hot-seat, including Fulham boss Roy Hodgson and former Real Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini and now Rijkaard has come under consideration from the Liverpool board.

Former Holland international Rijkaard is regarded as one of the best coaches in Europe following his success at Barcelona, where he won two Spanish titles and the UEFA Champions League during his tenure at Camp Nou.

Sources in Turkey claim Liverpool have approached Galatasaray twice in the last week to seek permission to talk to Rijkaard, but that the Turkish club have rejected their overtures.

Rijkaard, who took over at Galatasaray in June 2009, has just a year to run on his current deal, meaning Liverpool may not have to fork out a high compensation fee if they can agree a deal with Galatasaray for the 47-year-old.

The Dutchman is believed to be keen on managing in the Premier League at some stage in his career, but Galatasaray are reluctant to lose his services.

Liverpool are keen to sort out their managerial situation as soon as possible and they could be forced look elsewhere if Galatasaray fail to release Rijkaard.

JUNE 24
Liverpool FC will tell Barcelona
Fernando Torres is not for sale

By David Randles - Liverpool Daily Post

Liverpool will resist any offers for Fernando Torres.

Reports from Spain claim Barcelona are preparing a £40 million plus bid for the Spain international.

The La Liga champions paid Valencia £36 million for Torres’ international strike partner David Villa last month.

Villa’s capture was thought to cool Barca’s interest in Torres but the Catalan giants want to unite the pair at club level also.

Torres is said to be new Barcelona president Sandro Rosell’s number one target.

Rosell is prepared to test Liverpool’s resolve by offering Zlatan Ibrahimovic in a player plus cash deal.

The Nou Camp club are likely to receive a frosty reception from Liverpool, however, who have continually maintained the star striker is not for sale.

Barcelona’s interest in Torres has come to light just days after defender Gerard Pique urged his club to try and capture the former Atletico Madrid man.

Speculation regarding a summer move for Torres has mounted since the departure of manager Rafael Benitez three weeks ago.

Chelsea and Manchester City are also thought to be interested in prising the 26-year-old away from Anfield but Barcelona are confident that should he decide to leave Liverpool, they are the only club he will go to.

However, their valuation is way short of what Torres would command in the current market - if he was for sale.

Liverpool managing director Christian Purslow is adamant the club have no interest on cashing in on Torres and earlier this week declared that no players will be allowed to leave Anfield until a new manager has been appointed.

Purslow wants the new boss to run the rule over the playing staff before deciding who is surplus to requirements.

JUNE 21
Liverpool chiefs confident
Torres willing to stay

tribalfootball.com

Liverpool chiefs are confident Fernando Torres wants to stay at Anfield.

The News of the World says Torres will meet expected new boss Roy Hodgson when he returns from South Africa.

There is a genuine belief Torres, whose been in regular contact with club officials, wants to give Liverpool at least one more season to resurrect their fortunes.

Torres missed most of the last miserable campaign through injury and there is a sense he owes the club another year.

Liverpool won't even negotiate with clubs for his transfer, despite Chelsea's interest.

JUNE 21
Barcelona launching
new offer for Mascherano

tribalfootball.com

Barcelona are preparing a £30 million offer for Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano.

The Mirror says Barca's efforts to land Mascherano last summer were firmly rebuffed by the Reds, who do not want to lose their midfield anchorman.

However the Catalans feel they may be more successful this time and Mascherano was said to be disappointed when he was blocked from moving to the Nou Camp.

The Argentinian skipper is unsettled by the turmoil at Anfield and will reportedly consider his future after the World Cup.

JUNE 21
Spanish media: Barcelona
informed of 60m euro valuation

By Ben Moss - Sport.co.uk

According to reports in Spain, Liverpool have told Barcelona it will cost them €60 million to prise Fernando Torres away from Anfield.

Spanish daily sport claim the Catalan giants are formalising lucrative offers for the Kop talisman and his international colleague Cesc Fabregas of Arsenal, and although the La Liga champions were hoping to offer €45 million for the former, Sandro Rossell has earmarked the striker as his top target since taking over the presidency from Joan Laporta.

Chelsea and Manchester City have also been linked with Torres, although Barcelona are believed to be his number one choice should he leave Liverpool.

The newspaper indicates that Torres would only leave the Premier League for Barcelona, but it suggests he could not rule out leaving Liverpool for one of their Premier League rivals Chelsea, Manchester United or Manchester City.

In tandem with their pursuit of the Anfield marksman, Rossell is believed to readying a second offer for Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas, despite Arsene Wenger’s insistence that his Emirates star is not for sale.

Sport suggests Rossell, who doesn’t officially take over from Laporta until July 1st, has been told by Liverpool, that Torres will cost considerably more than his €45 million valuation. The incoming Barcelona supremo must increase his bid to €60 million, but both Chelsea and Manchester City are likely to enter the race for the prolific Premier League forward in due course.

Barcelona are hoping to reunite Spain’s centre-forward pairing of David Villa and Fernando Torres at the Nou Camp, and remain confident they can lure both Liverpool striker Fernando Torres away from Anfield, and his World Cup colleague, Cesc Fabregas from Arsenal.

JUNE 21
Blues back in for Babel

Sky Sports

Skysports.com understands Birmingham are ready to rekindle their interest in Liverpool's Ryan Babel.

Birmingham tried to sign Babel during the January transfer window, but failed to agree a deal with Liverpool.

Blues boss Alex McLeish is thought to be a big admirer of the Dutchman and is ready to revive his attempts to lure him to St Andrews.

McLeish has been frustrated in his attempts to sign Wigan winger Charles N'Zogbia and could now turn his attentions to Babel to fill the left-sided midfield role.

Babel's future at Liverpool looks uncertain with the 23-year-old failing to live up to expectations at Anfield.

Liverpool could be tempted to cash in on Babel to help raise funds for potential new signings for whoever becomes the club's new manager.

JUNE 21
Gerrard: I know
Real Madrid want me

tribalfootball.com

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is open to a move to Real Madrid, it has been revealed.

The Daily Mail says Real Madrid want Liverpool to drop their valuation of Gerrard as they try to finalise a move for the England midfielder.

The Liverpool captain insists he will not make a decision on his club future until after the World Cup but Real are pressing to put a deal in place.

Liverpool are reluctant to sell the 30-year-old but know he is not happy with the club's progress. And if he insists on going they want close to £30m.

Speaking after England's draw with Algeria on Friday, Gerrard reportedly told Spanish media: "It is possible that I'll be in Madrid next season.

"I'm aware of the club's offer so maybe we'll see each other in Madrid. I can't say anymore. I'm just concentrating on the World Cup. My agent is looking after it all."

JUNE 16
Liverpool to hand Hodgson
initial £12m transfer kitty

tribalfootball.com

Roy Hodgson will be handed an initial £12 million transfer kitty when he takes charge of Liverpool.

The Mirror says Hodgson has spoken to his Fulham board, and conceded that he would find the offer to manage at Liverpool too hard to turn down, despite his affection for the Craven Cottage outfit.

Liverpool will offer a minimum of £12million in cash to spend on new players, plus all money raised from sale of players the new boss deems surplus to requirements.

Liverpool are determined though, not to let any players leave until the new manager is in place, to allow him the chance to decide if he wants to keep them.

JUNE 16
Fulham chiefs accept
losing Hodgson to Liverpool

tribalfootball.com

Fulham accept manager Roy Hodgson is set to join Liverpool, it has been revealed.

The Mirror says sources at Fulham confirmed last night they have lost all hope of holding on to Hodgson.

A Liverpool board meeting on Friday has rubber-stamped a move for the experienced manager, and formal contact is expected to follow.

Fulham are aware of that interest, and after talks with their manager before he prepared to fly out to the World Cup, they are now resigned to losing him.

Talks over a contract, security of tenure should there be an Anfield takeover, and size of budget will proceed over the next week, and an official announcement could be made by next Wednesday or Thursday if agreement is reached.

Hodgson has spoken to his Fulham board, and conceded that he would find the offer to manage at Liverpool too hard to turn down, despite his affection for the Craven Cottage outfit.

Liverpool are ready to double his contract and also provide massive bonuses for a top four finish - which is the minimum requirement this coming season.

JUNE 16
Inter make progress
in Mascherano move

By Salvatore Landolina - Goal.com

Inter are moving closer to Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano after stepping out to meet the player's entourage as early talks begin.

Il Corriere dello Sport claims the Nerazzurri have spoken with those who look after Mascherano's interests and further talks are planned next week.

Rafael Benitez has put the Argentinian on the Nerazzurri map, but the journey to land him may yet be a long one.

Inter have been told he will cost no less than €30 million, but that figure seems steep after Massimo Moratti cofirmed the club would not be spending big this summer. They hope Liverpool will lower their asking price.

On Tuesday Goal.com spoke with Italian agent and transfer expert Claudio Pasqualin, who said Mascherano "was almost certain to join Inter".

JUNE 15
Chelsea make £50m
bid for Torres

By Harry Harris - ESPN Soccernet

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has given the green light to what would be the biggest domestic transfer in Premier League history, but will have to out bid Manchester City.

An insider close to the negotiations told Soccernet: "There have been two verbal offers for Torres, Chelsea are willing to pay £50 million, but Manchester City offered verbally £25 million more!

"Liverpool would naturally want the bigger sum, but Torres as made it perfectly clear that he won't be joining Manchester City, even though City would go as high as £200,000-a-week wages.

"Even so Chelsea would pay Torres £140,000-a-week and when you're at that level, the important thing for the player is to go to a club with Champions League football and the chance of winning the major honours.

Liverpool, who are still to appoint a new manager after parting company with Rafael Benitez last month, have not formally acknowledged Chelsea's approach.

The blues are also in the hunt to sign Yossi Benayoun from the Anfield club and Soccernet's source expects both players to be at Stamford Bridge next season.

"If you are asking my opinion both Torres and Benayoun will go to Chelsea, the Benayoun deal is very close to completion, but Torres won't be sorted out now until after the World Cup Finals."

JUNE 15
Rosell eyes Gerrard
as Fabregas Plan B

By Andrew Allen - sport.co.uk

Barcelona president-elect Sandro Rosell has reportedly asked Pep Guardiola to draw up a list of possible midfield targets should the club fail to land Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas with reports in the Spanish newspaper AS claiming that Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard is a top priority.

Outgoing president Joan Laporta has already lodged a formal bid for Fabregas, but with the Gunners board unwilling to do business for their talismanic captain it appears that his successor Rosell has accepted that it is unlikely that a deal can be done this summer.

Although publically the new man in charge has hinted at a continuation of the quest to sign the Arsenal star it is understood that the public pursuit of Fabregas will be gradually downgraded. Given the upheaval at Liverpool following the exit of manager Rafael Benitez, it is believed that Steven Gerrard is a more affordable but similarly high-profile target.

Gerrard, who has been elevated to the England captain in the absence of Rio Ferdinand, has hinted that he will discuss his future at Liverpool after the World Cup.

Rafael Benitez has been tipped to sign the player for Inter Milan, while Jose Mourinho is thought to want to take the 30-year-old to Real Madrid having failed to sign him while at Chelsea.

Valued at £30 million, Gerrard’s pricetag sits in the same bracket as the bid placed with Arsenal for Fabregas. However, with the Gunners unwilling to put a price on their captain it is thought that no matter how much money is put on the table, they will not let their prized asset leave.

Liverpool’s Javier Mascherano, Werder Bremen’s Mesut Ozil and Valencia’s David Silva have also been mentioned as possible midfield recruits at the Nou Camp although with Rosell publically stating his desire to lower the club’s £450 million debt it is understood that only one big name is likely to follow David Villa in the close season.

JUNE 14
Benayoun agrees
Chelsea switch

By Simon Griver - Jewish Chronicle

Yossi Benayoun has agreed a four-year contract with Chelsea.

Reports in Israel say that Chelsea and Liverpool reached a compromise transfer fee today clearing the way for Israel’s captain to move to Stamford Bridge.

The Premier League champions had a £4 million offer for midfielder rejected last month by Liverpool who were demanding £10 million.

Benayoun, 30, who is on holiday in Israel, will fly back to England later this week to undergo a medical at Chelsea’s Cobham training ground.

Benayoun joined Liverpool from West Ham in 2007 and signed a new four year deal at Anfield last summer worth $75,000 week. It is believed that Benayoun will earn more at Chelsea.

Benayoun scored nine goals in 42 matches for Liverpool last season but fell out with former manager Rafa Benitez towards the end of the season.

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti wants Benayoun to replace England international Joe Cole who has been released.

JUNE 9
Mascherano is
Inter's No 1 target

Football Italia

Rafael Benitez's first transfer target as Coach of Inter will be Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Inter are looking to reinforce their central midfield this summer and feel that Mascherano would form a strong partnership with his compatriot Esteban Cambiasso.

The 26-year-old Argentine would not come cheap, but the desire of the player to leave Merseyside could force a transfer.

Whilst inquiring about Mascherano, La Gazzetta understands Inter will also ask after Steven Gerrard even though the England international apparently doesn't have the best of relationships with Benitez.

Benitez's second 'transfer' target is said to be Mario Balotelli, who he has been asked to re-launch after a difficult year under Jose Mourinho.

JUNE 8
City eye fresh
Liverpool raid

Clubcall.com

Birmingham are being tipped to revive their interest in unsettled Liverpool forward Ryan Babel after
the World Cup.

Blues made an offer in the region of £7million for the Dutch ace in January and, at one point, it appeared the winger would make the move to St Andrew's after growing increasingly frustrated under former Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez.

However, the 23-year-old decided to stay on Merseyside in the second half of last season and did enjoy an improvement in fortunes, featuring in plenty more games with Benitez opting for him ahead of Albert Riera and Yossi Benayoun.

Birmingham will lead the way to offer him an escape route out of Anfield, though, but may have to pay at least £7million again for a player the Reds splashed out £11.5million on three years ago.

Babel picked up an injury just a couple of weeks ago that did threaten his World Cup chances but he is recovering well and has been included in Holland's 23-man party for South Africa.

If he impresses over the summer, there could be plenty of sides interested should Liverpool opt to cash in and the player himself decides to move on following Benitez's departure.

JUNE 8
Report: Fiorentina eye
Liverpool left-back Insua

Goal.com

Fiorentina are interested in the captures of Liverpool left-back Emiliano Insua and Napoli central defender Fabiano Santacroce, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.

The Florence-based side are keen to invest big in the market following a frustrating season in which they finished halfway down the Serie A table.

After signing Gaetano D'Agostino from Udinese in a co-ownership deal last week, the Viola are now looking to solve their defensive woes, having already identified their targets.

Insua, 21, has been at Anfield since 2007, and his playing chances have often come knocking due to Fabio Aurelio's fitness problems.

With the Brazilian defender set to the leave Liverpool, the Reds are understood to be looking for a new left-sided defendeer, which would drop Insua down the pecking order at the club.

Santacroce, often labelled as the 'new Alessandro Nesta', has been with Napoli since joining from Brescia in 2008, and has formed an interesting defensive trio with Paolo Cannavaro and Matteo Contini at the San Paolo.

JUNE 6
Liverpool look to Lippi

Football Italia

There are reports that Italy boss Marcello Lippi is Liverpool’s target to replace Rafa Benitez.

The 2006 World Cup winner has already confirmed he will leave his post after the tournament in South Africa, making way for Cesare Prandelli.

This week Liverpool terminated their contract with Benitez by mutual consent, so they are on the look-out for a new Coach.

According to the Gazzetta dello Sport, Lippi represents the kind of solidity and success rate that the new Anfield owners are looking for.

His presence would also help guarantee that stars such as Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres will stay on at the club.

The newspaper claims that both Liverpool legends Kenny Dalglish and Ian Rush would support this appointment.

Lippi has always said that he would like an experience in the Premier League and that he wouldn’t accept another Serie A job after the Azzurri.

JUNE 5
Reds plan Redknapp swoop

Sky Sports

Liverpool are planning a shock move for Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp, Sky Sports sources understand.

The Anfield outfit are searching for a new man at the helm after Rafa Benitez's six-year reign was brought to an end by mutual consent on Thursday.

And Spurs boss Redknapp has emerged as a leading contender for the Reds hierarchy as they aim to bring stability back to Merseyside.

Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish and managing director Christian Purslow have been charged with the task of identifying and selecting a replacement.

Dalglish knows Redknapp well having brought his son Jamie to Anfield in January 1991 when he was at the helm of the five-time European champions and the two families have been close ever since.

Redknapp's reputation as a transfer market wheeler-dealer has made him an attractive option for Liverpool, who are heavily in debt and could have only £5million to invest in new players if they do not trim their squad this summer.

The former Bournemouth, West Ham, Southampton and Portsmouth manager has transformed the fortunes of the White Hart Lane club since replacing Juande Ramos in October 2008.

Redknapp has since guided the club into the top four of the Premier League - ironically at the expense of Liverpool - and they have the prospect of UEFA Champions League football to look forward to next season.

Spurs would be loath to lose the services of Redknapp, who has been granted an impressive transfer budget during his time in North London, and are sure to fight hard to keep the 63-year-old.

Redknapp has only one year remaining on his current contract at White Hart Lane and talks over a new deal are yet to take place.

JUNE 5
Benitez to Inter
within 48 hours?

Football Italia

There are reports Inter could appoint Rafa Benitez within 48 hours, sparking transfer bids for Liverpool’s Javier Mascherano and Dirk Kuyt.

Benitez is now free to engage in negotiations after accepting an early termination by mutual consent with the new Anfield owners.

The Italian media are confident the Spaniard will pen a new deal with Inter within the next 48 hours, as President Massimo Moratti has given the all-clear.

“Benitez is a Coach with real personality, just what we needed after Jose Mourinho,” said Walter Samuel.

“He certainly knows how to work within a high-pressure locker room environment.”

With Rafa, the tactician is also likely to bring other stars from the Liverpool squad.

According to the Corriere dello Sport, he has requested midfielder Mascherano and forward Kuyt to reinforce the squad.

Liverpool could be tempted into accepting a double £37m offer for both players.

“Benitez will really fit in with Italian football, as he is a very tactical person who studies the games carefully,” Mascherano told the Gazzetta dello Sport.

“Will I follow him to Milan? I don’t know anything about my future yet. I can only say that I spent some wonderful years with him and his style of football suits me perfectly.”

The cash would be raised by selling Douglas Maicon to Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid for around £25m.

JUNE 4
Report: Barcelona
consider move for Torres

By Luis Mira - Goal.com

Barcelona are reportedly are weighing up the merits of a move for Liverpool hot-shot Fernando Torres.

The Spain international's future at Anfield looks to be the subject of much speculation after seeing compatriot Rafael Benitez depart the club yesterday following a disappointing season at the helm of the Reds.

Barcelona's interest in Torres is not exactly new as El Nino was already on the Catalan club's agenda last summer, but a transfer never materialised.

Chelsea have also been credited with an interest in the 26-year-old striker, who cost Liverpool a fee in the region of €30 million, but it is believed the Blues' preference lies in the shoulders of Barcelona's Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

News daily Sport claims that, after spending €40 million on David Villa of Valencia, Barcelona's move for Torres would always depend on Ibrahimovic being sold first, with the Swedish ace having a €50m price-tag around his neck.

JUNE 1
Inter Milan offer to double
Benitez Liverpool wages

tribalfootball.com

Inter Milan have made a new move for Liverpool boss
Rafa Benitez.

The Sun says the European champs made their move at the weekend - just when everyone thought they were chasing England manager Fabio Capello.

Inter president Massimo Moratti said: "Benitez is a manager I have always considered very good but for the moment he is engaged."

An Italian source added: "Inter have been happy for everyone to think they want Capello as it's taken everyone's attention away from Benitez."

But Inter fear the Spaniard will still turn down a deal that will double his £4.5million-a-year wages as he has an almost impossible act to follow.

An insider added: "How could Rafa possibly do any better than Jose? The only way is down."

JUNE 1
Reds and Hammers in race for Opare

TEAMtalk

Liverpool and West Ham are believed to be among a host of European clubs tracking Real Madrid's Ghana starlet Daniel Opare.

Opare is regarded as one of Africa's brightest talents and was spotted by Real early on as he moved to the Spanish capital in 2007.

The Ghana youngster was tipped to make the breakthrough from their Castilla side last term, but injury hampered his progress.

Now fully fit, the versatile full-back, who can also play anywhere in midfield, is now set to be allowed to move on loan next season.

This has alerted a string of clubs from across Europe, with England very much a potential destination with both Liverpool and West Ham understood to be keen on taking him.

Also keen to snap him up are the likes of Lyon, PSV Eindhoven, Club Brugge, Buraspor and Steve McClaren's Wolfsburg.

The player's representative Chris Nathaniel has confirmedn that interest in Opare was significant.

"Daniel is fully fit again now and is ready to play next season," he told skysports.com. "Of course his injury means he will not be considered for Real's first-team but he hopes a spell on loan somewhere could help him come to the attention of Jose Mourinho.

"With that in mind, Daniel is now considering his options carefully as he has a number of options and he is already looking forward to pre-season training - wherever that may be."

Thor Zakariassen ©