NOVEMBER 23
Benitez eyes Iraola
TEAMtalk
Rafael Benitez is monitoring Athletic Bilbao right-back Iraola and
confirmed Stephane Henchoz is set to leave Liverpool in January.
The Reds boss is keen to sign another full-back despite spending £2million
on Josemi in the summer.
Former Spanish under-21 international Iraola, who is attracting interest
from several clubs, can also play in right midfield and carries a £2.5m
price-tag.
NOVEMBER 21
Rumour
Mill: Anelka tops Rafa's list
By Adam Bryant - LFC Online
Rafael Benitez is set to make an £8million bid for Nicolas Anelka
according to the Sunday papers.
With Milan Baros and Djibril Cisse injured, and Michael Owen, Emile Heskey
and El Hadji Diouf shipped out Benitez has to struggle with Florent Sinama
Pongolle and Neil Mellor as his only strikers in the squad.
Luis Garcia and Harry Kewell led the front line at Middlesbrough, but were
ineffective, leaving Benitez with no choice but to make a move for a new
striker when the transfer window reopens in January.
Anelka would be a welcome signing by many fans who believe he wasn't given
the opportunity under Gerard Houllier two seasons ago.
NOVEMBER 17
Keegan's leading race for Henchoz transfer
By Andy Hunter - Daily Post
Manchester City have emerged as favourites to prise forgotten defender
Stephane Henchoz away from Liverpool in January.
The 30-year-old's first-team fortunes have plummeted under Rafael Benitez
and his successful five-year Liverpool career will end when his contract
expires at the end of this season.
City, however, will offer the Swiss international an escape route in the
transfer window, provided he is allowed to leave Anfield on a free.
Kevin Keegan moved for Henchoz on transfer deadline day but refused to
meet Liverpool's £1million asking price for a player with only 12 months
left on his contract.
But his interest remains and City will ask Liverpool to drop demands for a
nominal fee in January in exchange for taking on the remainder of his
Anfield deal - worth in the region of £500,000.
Charlton and Everton are among a number of clubs monitoring Henchoz's
situation, although David Moyes's interest has cooled since the summer due
to the excellent form of Alan Stubbs and David Weir and the fact he is now
seeking younger alternatives.
Henchoz arrived at Anfield in a £3.5m deal from Blackburn Rovers in 1999
and was an integral part of the club's early success under Gerard
Houllier.
But having made only three appearances under Benitez this season - two in
the Carling Cup and one in the Champions League qualifying defeat by Graz
- he now accepts a January move would suit all parties.
NOVEMBER 15
Report: Chelsea in £30m bid for Gerrard
Ananova
Chelsea are to launch a British-record £30million bid for Steven
Gerrard, according to the Daily Mirror.
The paper claims Blues owner Roman Abramovich has approved a move for the
Liverpool skipper, who recently signed a new Anfield deal.
But with talk of a £100,000-a-week contract at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea
hope Gerrard will be lured to London.
NOVEMBER 14
Liverpool
keen on Real Madrid ace
Kop Talk
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is keen on signing Real Madrid ace
Santiago Solari, claim newspaper reports today.
The 28-year-old Argentinian midfielder is out of contract in the summer
and he's yet to agree a new deal with the Spanish giants. Real executives
have told the player that they want him to stay at the Bernabeu and he
claims he's happy where he is.
Manchester United were close to signing the player in the summer.
The link sounds a bit dodgy so it will be interesting to see if it crops
up again.
NOVEMBER 7
Liverpool launch
Juventus bid
Kop Talk
Newspaper reports today claim that Liverpool have launched a "secret
bid" for Juventus ace Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
It is claimed that Rafael Benitez is trying to put together a loan deal
with a view to a permanent transfer for the Swedish World Cup star.
Juventus signed the 23-year-old striker from Ajax in the summer but he has
failed to adapt to the Italian game sparking speculation that Juve will be
prepared to let him leave.
Agents representing the player are believed to be touting him around
Europe in the hope of securing a January transfer.
Rafa is desperate to recruit cover for the injured Djibril Cisse and
according to reports today he's been scouting all over Europe and Spain in
particular.
NOVEMBER 3
Liverpool linked with Inter Milan striker
Kop Talk
Liverpool have been linked with a possible move for Inter Milan striker
Julio Cruz.
Reports originating from Italy this morning claim that Rafael Benitez is
considering a move for the former Bologna player to provide cover for the
injured Djibril Cisse.
The 30-year-old Argentine could be sold in January but there's even talk
that Inter may allow him to leave on some kind of loan deal.
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