Rumours

November - 2004

HEADLINES
2311: Benitez eyes Iraola
2111: Rumour Mill: Anelka tops Rafa's list
1711: Keegan's leading race for Henchoz transfer
1511: Report: Chelsea in £30m bid for Gerrard
1411: Liverpool keen on Real Madrid ace
0711: Liverpool launch Juventus bid
0311: Liverpool linked with Inter Milan striker
RUMOURS ARCHIVE              
2004
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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.


Thor Zakariassen ©