NOVEMBER 30
Report: Diego
Forlan linked
with Liverpool move
Goal.com
Uruguayan hot-shot Diego Forlan has been linked with a
surprise return to the Premier League.
The Atletico Madrid forward, a consistent threat in front of goal in La
Liga, had an arduous time convincing Manchester United fans that he was
the ideal partner for box-playing striker Ruud van Nistelrooy.
However, that has not deterred Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez who,
according to a report in The People, is eager to bolster his firepower
by bringing the two-time Pichichi winner to Anfield.
Forlan, 30, is expected to cost upwards of £15 million, but that is a
price Benitez is allegedly willing to pay after seeing his side rendered
impotent when Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard lay injured.
Atletico Madrid are floundering at the depths of La Liga, and have also
been eliminated from the Champions League, making a possible move back
to the Premier League more attractive.
Forlan was acquired by Atleti in 2007, following the sale of Torres to
Liverpool; however, it appears he may now partner the man he replaced at
the Vicente Calderon.
NOVEMBER 28
Liverpool go for
Inter
Milan veteran Vieira
tribalfootball.com
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is chasing Inter Milan
midfielder Patrick Vieira.
The Independent says Benitez will attempt to breathe life into
Liverpool’s crumbling season by making a move for Vieira.
The former Arsenal midfielder, who is out of favour at Inter Milan, is
believed to be keen on a move back to the Premier League in a bid to
bolster his chances of claiming a place in France’s World Cup squad.
Benitez, meanwhile wants strength and experience in his midfield with
Javier Mascherano and Lucas both struggling for form and summer signing
Alberto Aquilani yet to make a start for the Reds.
NOVEMBER 27
Atletico Madrid preparing bid
for Liverpool winger Riera
tribalfootball.com
Atletico Madrid are planning a move for Liverpool
winger Albert Riera.
Cadena SER says the 27 year-old, after two seasons in England, is being
lined up for a return home to Spain in January.
Atletico sports director Jesus Garcia Pitarch wants to sign Riera as a
potential replacement for Simao Sabrosa, who is keen to return home to
Portugal.
Everything will depend on Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez, who has already
seen three of his former Spanish players return to the Primera Liga this
season in Xabi Alonso, Alvaro Arbeloa (both Real Madrid) and Mikel San
Jose (Athletic Bilbao).
NOVEMBER 26
Voronin out,
Van Nistelrooy in?
By Adam Bryant - LFC Online
Andriy Voronin's days may finally be numbered at
Liverpool, with the Ukrainian 'striker' expected to be shipped out in
January.
But the latest rumour doing the rounds is that former Manchester United
frontman Ruud Van Nistelrooy is looking for a move back to the Premier
League, in particular Liverpool.
The Dutchman has dropped down the pecking order at Real Madrid since the
arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Kaka in the summer and
has apparently spoken to his advisers about a possible move to Anfield.
NOVEMBER 22
Reds move in on
Madrid star
GiveMeFootball
Liverpool are reported to be lining up a January loan
move for Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy.
The former Manchester United striker is struggling to gain first team
action at the Bernabeu, losing his spot in the side after the summer
acquisitions of Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, with the
later two in direct competition for places at the top of the pitch for
Real.
This coupled with a string of injuries has meant that van Nistelrooy is
fighting for his place in the Dutch World Cup squad, and needs first
team action to remain in contention for the trip to South Africa.
Rafa Benitez could give the 33-year-old a new lease of life at Anfield,
and the Daily Mirror reports that a short-term move is being prepared
for January.
Van Nistelrooy has been courted by a string of Premier League clubs in
recent months, with Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City just two sides
thought to be watching the veteran frontman.
However, the draw of European football could be the biggest factor as
the striker with a proven pedigree at the highest level looks to regain
his form and fitness.
With limited funds available to Benitez at Anfield, a loan until the end
of the season could be the best deal for all parties involved.
NOVEMBER 19
Benitez eyeing
unsettled
Juventus ace Giovinco
tribalfootball.com
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is eyeing Juventus
attacking midfielder Sebastian Giovinco.
Corriere dello Sport says Benitez is convinced he can lure Giovinco to
Anfield after seeing the youngster lose his first team place at Juve to
summer arrival Diego.
Benitez is a big fan of Italian football and can see Giovinco forming an
exciting midfield partnership with countryman Alberto Aquilani.
Liverpool also have fellow Italian Andrea Dossena under contract at
Anfield.
NOVEMBER 15
Report:
Liverpool set sights
on Arsenal star Eduardo
Goal.com
Under-fire Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is
preparing to pursue a £10 million deal for Arsenal striker Eduardo da
Silva, according to News of the World.
The Reds are in dire need of attacking reinforcement, as the ongoing
injury problems of Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres have exposed the
squad's lack of depth on several occasions this season.
The Merseyside giants - currently seventh in the Premier League
standings - are battling through their worst form slump in decades as
they struggle to keep touch with the frontrunners.
Thus, Benitez is hoping the Anfield board will make funds available this
winter so he can arm his side against the threat of Champions League
chasers Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa and Manchester City.
High on the Spaniard's hit-list is Eduardo, the Brazil-born Croatia
star, who is understood to be growing increasingly dissatisfied with his
situation at the Emirates Stadium.
The 26-year-old has made just three starts in the league this term, and
(although he recently insisted otherwise) is reputedly upset at having
been shunted onto the flanks by Arsene Wenger.
Furthermore, Eduardo is annoyed that the Gunners have given no
indication as to whether or not they wish to extend his contract, which
expires in 18 months' time.
NOVEMBER 15
Report: Barcelona agree personal
terms with Mascherano
IMScouting.com
The Sunday Express claims this morning that
Liverpool’s defensive midfielder Javier Mascherano has "virtually sealed
a £30million move to Barcelona."
John Richardson writes: "Mascherano’s advisers have agreed the player’s
personal terms with Barcelona – which will mean a hefty rise to around
£100,000 a week – in advance of a fee being agreed between the two
clubs."
Richardson adds: "The Argentina international captain is determined to
get his way in the coming months – and Liverpool know that. They will,
however, continue to play hard ball with Barcelona over the transfer
fee. It’s believed they are demanding £36m, although an eventual
compromise deal of around £30m – the same fee that took Alonso to Real
Madrid – will end the waiting for a frustrated Mascherano."
Mascherano, 25, was long-linked with a move to Barcelona during the
summer with various reasons given for his desire to leave Anfield,
including that he was looking for pay parity with the biggest stars at
Liverpool.
The defensive midfielder is contracted to the Merseyside giants until
the end of season 2011/2012. During 2009/2010, Mascherano has played 14
matches in the Champions League and Premier League, he has been booked
twice and sent off once.
NOVEMBER 15
Hamburg’s Elia
in Liverpool sights
tribalfootball.com
Hamburg winger Eljero Elia is in the sights of
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez.
The Sunday Mirror says Benitez has identified Hamburg attacker Elia as
the man to ease the goalscoring burden on Fernando Torres.
But the German club will want a profit on the £8m they paid FC Twente
for the Holland international last summer.
NOVEMBER 13
Eintracht Frankfurt are lining up
January move for Voronin
By James Pearce - Liverpool Echo
Eintracht Frankfurt are plotting a swoop for Liverpool
striker Andriy Voronin during the January transfer window.
The mid-table Bundesliga outfit have yet to make an official approach
but are keen on securing the services of the Ukrainian international.
Voronin has struggled to adapt to the demands of the Premier League
since he arrived at Anfield on a free transfer from Bayer Leverkusen in
2007.
However, the 30-year-old is highly rated in Germany and scored 11 goals
during a successful loan spell at Hertha Berlin last season.
Hertha wanted to make the move permanent this summer but a proposed
£3million deal with Liverpool fell through.
Boss Rafa Benitez’s attacking options are severely limited, but if
Eintracht match that fee and the Spaniard is guaranteed he will be able
to reinvest the funds he may decide to do business.
Voronin has yet to find the net in three starts and nine substitute
appearances for the Reds so far this season and young Frenchman David
Ngog has leapt above him in the pecking order to be Fernando Torres’
understudy.
The Ukrainian, who is under contract until 2011, may also have to move
on in search of regular football in order to fulfil his dream of playing
in next summer’s World Cup after he was left out of the squad for their
play-off with Greece tomorrow.
NOVEMBER 11
Report: Liverpool ponder bid
for West Ham striker Cole
Goal.com
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has, according to a
report in The Daily Mail, been alerted to the form of Carlton Cole at
West Ham United, and due to the ambiguous financial situation that has
engulfed Upton Park, there is potential for a winter window bid.
Under the tutelage of Gianfranco Zola, Cole has flourished, and this
season has returned an impressive 1:2 strike rate that included an
equalising goal against Liverpool at home.
Cole has also emerged as a likely candidate for Fabio Capello's final
cut of 23 players who will accompany him to the World Cup, and looks set
to rival Peter Crouch for the role of Emile Heskey's understudy.
Benitez is keen on bolstering his attacking ranks at Anfield as the club
are perceived to lack real firepower beyond Steven Gerrard and Fernando
Torres.
Since the summer window closed, Liverpool have been linked with a
plethora of strikers by the media - including Valencia's David Villa,
and Aston Villa fringe player Heskey, an ex-Red. AC Milan forward
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar has also been touted as a player who may pique
Benitez's interest.
NOVEMBER 9
Liverpool
linked with
'unsettled' Real Madrid star
Ben Moss - sport.co.uk
Liverpool are reportedly considering a bid for Real
Madrid star Lassana Diarra.
The Sunday People claim the former Portsmouth midfielder, who also had
brief spells in the Premier League with Chelsea and Arsenal, is unsettle
in Spain despite being a first team regularly at the Bernabeu, and as a
result is keen to return to England.
The France international reportedly nearly joined Manchester City prior
to leaving for La Liga last January, however persistent reports of
Javier Mascherano’s desire to join Barcelona has seen Liverpool become
the latest club linked with the 24-year-old.
The report suggests the midfielder would cost in excess of £20 million
which would seemingly put Rafa Benitez’s side out of the running given
their well publicised financial problems. Should an unlikely deal be
struck the tough-tackling midfielder could be in line for his fifth club
in three and half years.
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