DECEMBER 29
Liverpool closing in on Brazilian ace

Kop Talk

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez and his chief executive Rick Parry are trying to negotiate a deal that would see Brazilian defender Daniel Alves make the switch to Anfield.

The player's club Sevilla are keen to sign Liverpool defender Josemi so Rafa is trying his luck with regards their highly rated 22-year-old and we understand that a bid of £7million plus Josemi has already been rejected.

It's not the first time that Alves has been linked with us but our interest this time appears much more determined. Sevilla though are in a strong position as they're not desperate to sign Josemi, should Liverpool refuse to deal on the basis that unless they get the Brazillian, Josemi won't be allowed to go in the other direction.

Only in August of this year did Alves sign a 2-year extension to his existing contract which now runs until 2011. At around the same time he was also awarded dual citizenship freeing up an additional place in the Sevilla squad for a non-European Union signing.

DECEMBER 29
Liverpool - Italian giants eye Riise

clubcall.com

Reports in Italy claim that Inter Milan are tracking Liverpool's
John Arne Riise.

The versatile Norwegian international has been an almost permanent fixture on the left since his arrival from Monaco in 2001.

His current deal at Anfield is set to expire in the summer of 2007 and the Italian press suggest that, should contract negotiations fail to start in the next few months, then Inter could be ready to make a move over the course of the summer.

DECEMBER 28
Benitez eyeing another Spain raid

By Ian Doyle - Daily Post

Liverpool are planning another swoop on Spain in the forthcoming transfer window.

Rafael Benitez has set his sights on a double raid on Deportivo La Coruna for defenders Fabricio Coloccini and Cesar.

The Anfield manager is intent on bolstering his defensive options but suffered a setback earlier this week when Spartak Moscow's Nemanja Vidic opted to join Manchester United.

Liverpool have previously been linked with centre-back Coloccini, who has fallen out of favour at Deportivo since joining permanently from AC Milan in January.

The Argentina international is keen to depart, and has previously expressed a desire to join Liverpool, who are willing to offer £2.9million (4m euros).

Spanish defender Cesar, meanwhile, is out of contract at the end of the season and would be available for a nominal fee.

The 28-year-old has attracted attention from Tottenham Hot-spur and Villarreal in recent weeks.

DECEMBER 23
Inter consider Cissé swoop

Channel 4 Sport

Inter have been linked with a move for Liverpool striker Djibril Cissé, according to reports in Italy.

Coach Roberto Mancini confirmed yesterday that the San Siro side were looking for attacking reinforcements in order to cater for the departure of Obafemi Martins, who leaves for African Nations Cup duty next month.

It is thought that Inter President Massimo Moratti has identified the Frenchman, who has fallen out on numerous occasions with Rafa Benitez after failing to hold down a regular first-team place, as the ideal candidate.

Although Cissé would not be eligible to play in the Champions League having represented the Reds in Europe this season, Moratti is said to be prepared to part with between £6m and £7m to secure his arrival in January.

The 24-year-old recently denied that he wanted to leave Anfield and insisted that he was very happy in England. However, a move to Inter would represent a hugely tempting opportunity for Cissé to secure a World Cup place in Raymond Domenech’s France squad.

The Nerazzurri have already confirmed that striker Victor Obinna will be joining them permanently from Chievo next month.

DECEMBER 23
Vidic won't name mystery bidder

Kop Talk

Spartak Moscow defender Nemanja Vidic has revealed that there is a third club - believed to be Liverpool - who are trying to sign him.

The player has already admitted that Manchester United and Fiorentina are making attempts to sign him but he wouldn't reveal who the mystery club is even when pushed for info. If you believe the widespread media reports, Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is working hard to try and bring the player to Anfield.

"There is also a third option but I would not like to name neither the club nor the country," said the 24-year-old Serb.

DECEMBER 23
Benitez pondering Galletti loan swoop

By Ian Doyle - Daily Post

Liverpool will only consider a loan move for Luciano Galletti - despite reports suggesting they are close to a deal for the Atletico Madrid winger.

The European Champions have renewed their interest in the Argentina international having initially tracked the player earlier this year while he was still at Real Zaragoza.

Reports in Spain yesterday stated preliminary discussions had already taken place, but suggestions Liverpool are preparing to lodge a bid for the 25-year-old right-winger are wide of the mark.

Instead, Rafael Benitez would seek a temporary deal for Galletti, who moved to Spain from homeland club Estudiantes for £3.4million in 2001.

Despite having only moved to Atletico in the summer, the Spanish side would be happy to cash in on one of their more saleable assets to fund squad restrengthening.

Liverpool are anticipating a busy January of departures and arrivals as Benitez looks to build on his side's improving Premiership form.

DECEMBER 22
Benitez targets Argentinian

By Adam Marshall - Sky Sports

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is plotting another raid on La Liga, according to sources in Spain.

Atletico Madrid's Luciano Galletti has caught the European champions' attention and preliminary discussions have already taken place ahead of a possible January move.

The Anfield club reportedly tabled an offer for the right winger in September and, even though he only joined Atletico in the summer, the capital club may look to cash in to finance their own spending plans in the New Year.

Galletti is rumoured to be waiting to see if Liverpool repeat their earlier bid for his services as Benitez ponders which right-sided midfielder to add to his ranks with Benfica's Simao Sabrosa also a target.

The Argentinian has had spells with Estudiantes, Parma, Napoli and Real Zaragoza and is a terrific dribbler with an eye for goal.

The Merseysiders have also showed an interest in Juventus defender Jonathan Zebina.

Italian reports claim the Frenchman is another player who has attracted admiring glances from Benitez and his scouting team.

DECEMBER 21
Liverpool - Shock £12m Spurs defender link

clubcall.com

Liverpool have been linked with a shock move for Tottenham Hotspur defender Ledley King.

A new centre-back is high on the agenda for Rafa Benitez in January, and the England international has emerged as a potential target.

However, King has already started talks on a long term contract extension and it appears unlikely that the Reds would have the transfer funds to move for the player.

Meanwhile Liverpool could be close to landing Spartak Moscow defender Nemanja Vidic.

The 24-year-old Serbia and Montenegro international is wanted by a clutch of Premiership clubs including the Reds.

Liverpool are now favourites to land the player ahead of Manchester United in the January transfer window.

DECEMBER 20
Liverpool in for Zebina

Channel 4 Sport

Liverpool have taken on Milan in the race to sign Juventus’ Jonathan Zebina, by formally making an approach, according to reports in Italy.

The Reds have the second most frugal defence in the Premiership and recently set a club record of 11 consecutive matches without conceding a goal but, not content to rest on their laurels, the European champions have now swooped to acquire the right-back in January.

Zebina, who can play at both full-back and centre-back, is out of favour with the Bianconeri after a succession of injuries and a recent pay rise request that was considered to be excessive by Juve’s directors.

Milan were expecting to make a move for the player in January, perhaps in part exchange with Christian Abbiati – whose loan deal Juventus want to make permanent. However, Liverpool’s move will have surprised the Rossoneri.

The San Siro side have been linked with a number of players as they look to rebuild their creaking defence, including Hertha Berlin centre-back Josip Simunic, but Zebina’s versatility is said to be highly-valued by Carlo Ancelotti, who now faces a race to sign the experienced 27-year-old.

DECEMBER 19
Real Madrid midfielder linked with Liverpool

Kop Talk

Real Madrid midfielder Thomas Gravesen has been linked with a possible move to Anfield.

It is claimed that the 29-year-old former Liverpool target has already held talks with the Reds but those suggestions are a little premature if our own sources are on form.

A source at Anfield told us last night: "Rafa has looked at Gravesen as a possible replacement for Didi (Hamann) but there has been no contact at this stage."

Manchester United have also been linked with a £2.5million bid for the former Everton player who Gerard Houllier tried to sign shorlty before he left Goodison for the Bernabeu.

DECEMBER 13
Liverpool duo linked with exit

Kop Talk

Liverpool youngster Darren Potter is still attracting interest from Scottish outfit Hearts.

A £750,000 bid looked likely to be accepted by the Reds but his recent injury blow could see a proposed move held up. Liverpool are in no rush to get rid but permission has been granted to discuss a deal and Hearts still remain keen.

Potter's currently out for two months after fracturing a vertebrae in his back playing for the reserves last week.

Meanwhile another Liverpool youngster, David Raven, could also be on his way. Raven's unhappy at the lack of opportunities at the club and wants out in the new year but with Josemi tipped to leave, this could prove a problem for him.

DECEMBER 8
Tottenham to move for
£5million Liverpool misfit?

Fans FC

Djibril Cisse has emerged as a transfer window target for Spurs boss Marti Jol.

Cisse has been linked with a Liverpool exit after failing to convince manager Rafael Benitez that he can be a first-choice striker for the European champions.

Marseille are keen to take the former Auxerre man back to France but Jol is an admirer of the player and wants to add him to his squad, alongside Jermain Defoe, Robbie Keane and Mido.

Transfer deadline signing Gregorz Rasiak is set to leave in the New Year while Mido is also going to be absent at the African Nations Cup.

Jol wants four top strikers at his disposal and will try and tempt Liverpool to part with Cisse once the transfer window re-opens.

DECEMBER 7
Big guns battle for Vidic

Sporting Life

Manchester United and Liverpool are ready to battle it out for the signature of Spartak Moscow defender Nemanja Vidic, according to the Russian club's chief executive Sergei Shavlo.

Shavlo is demanding at least 13 million euros (£8.79m) for the Serbia and Montenegro international and believes United are prepared to stump up the cash, with European champions Liverpool also interested.

"Vidic is a player in our team and we wouldn't like to let him go," Shavlo told 'Football, Hockey' magazine.

"We'll try to do our best to continue his staying with the club. But if any club can offer us the proper price which we can use for signing another player of the same level we can accept that.

"This amount is equal to 13-15 million euros. I think that we'll get similar offers.

"According to our information, Manchester United are ready to make an offer and probably Liverpool. It's good that the player has progressed so much during the last season."

DECEMBER 7
Reds join Kompany hunt

By Gerrit van Leeuwen - Sky Sports

Liverpool could rival Chelsea for the signature of Anderlecht youngster Vincent Kompany.

Blues boss Jose Mourinho is a keen admirer of the 19-year-old and the Premiership champions have been monitoring his progress for some time.

The likes of Arsenal, Barcelona, Real Madrid and, more recently, Internazionale have all been interested in the highly-rated young defender.

Chelsea have been the most serious candidates of late, with Belgian side Anderlecht admitting that a deal could be sorted out soon.

Kompany has said that he would favour a move to England or Spain, and now European champions Liverpool have him in their sights.

Rafa Benitez knows he has to strengthen his squad in January, and wants some top-class cover at centre half for Sami Hyypia and Jamie Carragher.

Reports in Belgium say that Anfield scouts will watch Anderlecht's UEFA Champions League clash with Real Betis on Tuesday to check out Kompany in action.

Liverpool and Chelsea are in the same Champions League group as the Belgians, but Kompany missed out on the two games against The Reds through injury.

DECEMBER 6
Rafa eyes up Argentine

By Graeme Bailey - Sky Sports

Liverpool are reported to be lining up a move for Argentine starlet Gabriel Paletta.

The highly-rated defender came to prominence earlier this year when he helped his country to the World Youth championship.

Now the 19-year-old is said to be the subject of a £3 million offer from the European champions, who are looking to bolster their defensive options.

Paletta currently plies his trade with Banfield in his homeland, but he now looks as if he could be the latest major export from Argentina.

Rafa Benitez wants Paletta in January and should a move materialise, then the young stopper would be available for the UEFA Champions League second phase.

Reds management are currently understood to be exploring Paletta's claims of a European passport - as he would not qualify for a work-permit, and should his ancestry be confirmed, then a dream move to Anfield looks a distinct possibility.

Thor Zakariassen ©