OCTOBER 29
Mata waits on new
deal
Sky Sports
Juan Mata's father and agent wants Valencia to up
their contract offer, amid claims that Liverpool are ready to make a
move for the forward.
The Spain international is in talks with Los Che over a new contract and
only last week his father, Juan Mata senior, stated that a deal was
close.
But now it appears things have not moved on as expected and Mata could
be forced to seek a move if the club do not match his expectations.
"We want Valencia to recognise the kid's true quality, and it's not only
a matter of money," Mata snr is quoted by The Sun.
Mata himself admits he is attracted by Liverpool, but is leaving his
future in the hands of his father.
"This matter is all down to the club and my agent," he said.
"Rafa Benitez is a big coach but I just want to concentrate on my game
without any distractions.
The 21-year-old's current deal runs until 2012.
OCTOBER 23
Reds remain
keen on Shawcross
Sky Sports
Liverpool are ready to rekindle their interest in
Stoke's Ryan Shawcross when the transfer window reopens, skysports.com
understands.
Shawcross is one of the most sought-after young defenders in the Premier
League after catching the eye at Stoke following his arrival from
Manchester United in 2007.
The England Under-21 international has established himself as one of the
most promising players in the Premier League and he is a key member of
Tony Pulis' squad.
Liverpool are believed to have sounded out a move for Shawcross in the
summer, but were put off by Stoke's price tag.
Shawcross' former club Manchester United, Arsenal, Fulham and Everton
are also believed to be admirers of the powerful centre-back.
Liverpool have been keeping tabs on Shawcross' progress this season and
they are now thought to be ready to make a firm move for the 22-year-old
in January.
Reds boss Rafa Benitez is understood to be keen to bolster his defensive
ranks and increase the number of English-born players in his squad, and
Shawcross fits the bill as to the type of player he wants.
Stoke have opened talks with Shawcross about a new deal at the Britannia
Stadium in a bid to stave off interest from the Premier League's elite,
but as yet no new contract has been agreed.
However, any move from Liverpool would depend on them raising the funds
to persuade Stoke to cash-in on Shawcross.
OCTOBER 19
Reds linked
with Inter youngster
Football 365
Jose Mourinho has heaped praise on Rene Krhin amid
speculation connecting the Inter Milan midfielder with a move to
Liverpool.
The Slovenian teenager is regarded as an exciting prospect for the
future and Liverpool are understood to be monitoring his situation at
Inter.
However, the Reds are likely to find it difficult to prise him away from
Inter as he still figures in the plans of Mourinho.
"In Rene Krhin I see what I expect from a 19-year old," Mourinho told
reporters.
Meanwhile, Liverpool and Inter are both reported to be interested in
highly-rated 21-year-old defender Ecuele Manga.
He currently plies his trade with Ligue 2 club Angers in France but
admits it would be 'a dream' to play for either Liverpool or Inter.
"I am flattered to be linked with prestigious clubs like those two big
teams in Europe," the player told skysports.com.
"The two managers are legends of the game, they have won leagues and
European cups, so let me dream to work under their guidance."
Asked about his preference, the youngster said: "Who am I to choose? It
is good to hear interest from two big teams but I need to work hard and
the future will decide."
OCTOBER 12
Heskey
linked with Liverpool return
tribalfootball.com
Liverpool are being linked with unsettled Aston Villa
striker Emile Heskey.
Heskey has expressed doubts about his future at Villa Park in the last
24 hours as he battles to remain involved with England's World Cup
squad.
The Times says Rafael Benítez considered bringing Heskey back to
Liverpool last season, but with the Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester
City squads full of strikers there will be few other obvious takers in
the top half of the Premier League.
OCTOBER 11
Report: Man City
to pounce for Benayoun
tribalfootball.com
Liverpool midfielder Yossi Benayoun is in the sights
of Manchester City boss Mark Hughes.
The News of the World says Benayoun has hopped on to City's radar after
the midfielder was named on the bench for last Sunday's title-jolting
2-0 defeat by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Hughes has been given the green light to spend heavily again in January
as he chases a Champions League place for next season and Benayoun is
suddenly in his sights.
The Israeli midfielder was made a scapegoat by Liverpool manager Rafa
Benitez for the earlier 2-0 defeat against Fiorentina in the Champions
League.
OCTOBER 9
Juventus
want Liverpool's
Javier Mascherano for £23m
Daily Mirror
Javier Mascherano could quit Liverpool for Juventus with the Italian
giants readying a £23m bid.
It is claimed Mascherano, who possesses an Italian passport, is unhappy
at the departure of former midfield partner Xabi Alonso for Real Madrid
in the summer.
Rafa Benitez turned down a transfer window approach for Mascherano from
Barcelona earlier this year but now faces a fresh bid from the club who
tried to sign him from West Ham before he moved to Anfield nearly three
years ago.
Juventus are said to want to open talks within the next few weeks ahead
of a move in the January window.
| 
