Rumours

October - 2005

 
HEADLINES
3010: Rumour Mill: Gunners want Kirkland
3010: Aston Villa linked with shock Anfield...
1910: Sevilla set sights on Josemi
1810: Liverpool: Double deal imminent
1810: Reports: Benitez secures verbal...
1810: Arsenal linked with Kirkland
1410: Reds line up Riki move
0710: Liverpool set to bid for Ajax midfielder
0510: Marseille keep check on Cisse
 
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OCTOBER 30
Rumour Mill: Gunners want Kirkland

By Adam Bryant - LFC Online

Arsenal are keen to sign Chris Kirkland in January according to the press.

The Liverpool keeper, currently on loan with West Brom, is injured again, this time with bruised ribs, and is likely to miss the opportunity to earn his first England cap in the friendly with Argentina on 12th November.

But Arsen Wenger is preparing a £4m bid for Kirkland according to the Sunday Express.


OCTOBER 30
Aston Villa linked with shock Anfield swoop

Kop Talk

Premiership outfit Aston Villa will make an offer for Liverpool winger Harry Kewell when the transfer window opens in January, claim newspaper reports today.

Manager David O'Leary bossed Kewell during their Leeds days and if the claims are true, he's prepared to offer Rafael Benitez £3million for the 27-year-old Kop flop.

Meanwhile additional reports today claim that Aston Villa are to be bought by Comer Homes Group on Wednesday, a £1billion company owned by Irishmen Brian and Luke Comer, which would enable them to compete with Chelsea.


OCTOBER 19
Sevilla set sights on Josemi

By Mark Kendall - Sky Sports

Reports in Spain claim that Sevilla are hoping to lure Liverpool defender Josemi back to La Liga.

The 26-year-old joined The Reds at the start of last season but has struggled to cement a first-team berth at Anfield.

Sevilla boss Juande Ramos is keen to strengthen his side's defence after a somewhat shaky start to the campaign and wants extra cover at right back where Daniel Alves, ironically a target for Liverpool, is his only real option.

Ramos is a big fan of Josemi, having worked with the player when the two were at Malaga together.

Spanish media sources have suggested that the Primera outfit have put a €3 million (£2 million) offer on the table for Liverpool to consider and will hope to persuade them to do business in January.

Any move will depend on how regularly the player features under Rafa Benitez between now and January, although it is understood his intention is to see out the season in England and attempt to establish himself.

However, if he falls out of favour that could change and the chance to link up with a coach who rates him so highly is likely to prove very attractive.

Josemi has started two league games and four UEFA Champions League matches for Liverpool this term but finds himself behind Steve Finnan in the pecking order for the right back spot at Anfield.


OCTOBER 18
Liverpool: Double deal imminent

Clubcall.com

Clubcall has learned that Liverpool have put deals in place to sign Benfica captain Simao Sabrosa and Chilean international Mark Gonzalez in January, writes Kevin Hatchard.

Simao nearly joined the Reds in August, but the Portuguese champions changed their minds about the sale just before the transfer deadline.

However, Liverpool have retained their interest in the Portuguese international, and clubcall understands an initial fee of £8million has been agreed for the transfer of the right-winger in January.

The 26-year-old was one of the most consistent players in European football last season, and was the driving force behind Benfica's long-awaited capture of the Portuguese title.

His pace, skill and crossing ability could bring an added dimension to a Liverpool midfield who are failing to get the best out of strikers like Peter Crouch and Fernando Morientes.

Right-winger Gonzalez was expected to arrive at Anfield at the start of the season, but the 22-year-old's hopes of a dream move were dealt a double blow.

Having agreed a season-long loan move from Spanish club Albacete, the Chilean international sustained a cruciate ligament injury and was sidelined for several months.

Worse was to follow, as Gonzalez then discovered his application for a work permit had been refused by the Home Office due to Chile's failure to make the top 70 in FIFA's world rankings system.

Despite these problems, Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez remains determined to sign the player, and clubcall understands a financial package has been agreed with Albacete for the player's permanent transfer.

Liverpool will re-apply for a work permit at the turn of the year, and if successful Gonzalez could appear in the first-team from January onwards.


OCTOBER 18
Reports: Benitez secures
verbal agreement with La Liga ace

Kop Talk

Yesterday's news reports that Liverpool were closing in on Real Madrid defender Ivan Helguera have made the tabloids in Britain today.

Basically it is suggested today that Rafael Benitez has a verbal agreement in place with the player that will see him become a Red in the summer.

The 30-year-old defender is out of contract next year and can sign a pre-contract agreement with another club in January.


OCTOBER 18
Arsenal linked with Kirkland

By Al Campbell - LFC Online

Arsenal have been linked with a move for Liverpool goalkeeper
Chris Kirkland.


Kirkland is currently on a season long loan to West Brom and has already expressed his desire to leave Liverpool and join the Baggies on a permanent move at the end of the season.

After a man of the match performance against his team on Saturday Arsene Wenger is now reported to be interested in signing the England goalkeeper himself.

Kirkland joined Liverpool from Coventry in 2001 but persistent injury and the signing of Pepe Reina saw him join Bryan Robson's side on loan.


OCTOBER 14
Reds line up Riki move

By Mark Kendall - Sky Sports

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is being tipped to add to his Spanish contingent by swooping for Getafe striker Riki when the transfer window reopens.

The 25-year-old striker has been a key figure in his side's fantastic start to the season which sees the Madrid-based minnows currently topping La Primera.

He has bagged four goals in six starts this campaign, a return that has caught the attention of Benitez.

The Reds boss was looking to bring in another striker before the transfer window closed at the end of August but was ultimately priced out of bringing Michael Owen back to Anfield.

It appears certain he will look to strengthen in January and the continuing speculation surrounding the future of Djibril Cisse has only added to rumours a new striker will arrive.

Riki came through the youth ranks at Real Madrid and joined Getafe at the start of last season.

His first full campaign in La Primera yielded only two goals in 21 appearances, but the quality of his displays alerted Deportivo La Coruna who saw a €3 million (£2 million) bid for him rejected in the summer.

A powerful and quick striker, his game would seem ideally suited to the English game and his qualities seem to have convinced Benitez.

He is under contract at Getafe until 2007 and his release clause stands at just €6 million (£4 million), however, The Reds are not keen on paying the entirety of that figure.

Spanish sources claim Benitez could well look to push a deal through in January if Cisse does end up moving on with a compromise figure of around £2.5 million likely to convince Getafe to play ball.

However, if Riki maintains his impressive early season form then the reigning European champions could well face competition for the hit-man's signature.


OCTOBER 7
Liverpool set to bid for Ajax midfielder

Fans FC

Liverpool have set their sights on Steven Pienaar.

The 23-year-old emerged as a talent with the South African branch of Ajax before moving to Holland in 2001, where he has become an integral part of the midfield.

A host of European club are interested, particularly as the player is out of contract in the summer, yet it is believed Liverpool are currently leading the chase.

The Reds are eager to bolster their squad , and are impressed with the fact Pienaar can play anywhere in the midfield – an area manager Rafael Benitez is eager to improve.


OCTOBER 5
Marseille keep check on Cisse

By Peter ORourke - Sky Sports

Marseille are ready to make a new move for unsettled Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse.

Cisse hinted on Tuesday that he may have to leave Anfield in January if he does win a regular place in Rafa Benitez's first team soon.

The Frenchman is unhappy with his current lack of action and believes he deserves a run in the starting XI.

Marseille expressed an interest in signing the former Auxerre man in August after doubts were raised over the future of Cisse because of Liverpool's interest in Michael Owen.

The French giants have now been alerted to Cisse's frustration and are carefully monitoring his situation.

Marseille sporting director Jose Anigo revealed they would be interested in signing Cisse on loan when the transfer window reopens.

"The possibility of taking Cisse on loan will firm up in December. We know that he is not playing at the moment," said Anigo.

"If Djibril is to play in the World Cup finals with France then he needs to be playing regularly.

"If he wants to come to Marseille he will be made very welcome."




Thor Zakariassen ©