Liverpool FC Forum

[kazza]

LIVERPOOL TARGET CARSON
The Telegraph. 30th November 2004 
Liverpool have expressed an interest in making the Leeds United goalkeeper Scott Carson their long-term deputy for current No 1 Chris Kirkland in a deal that could cost the Merseyside club as little as ?400,000 for one of the country’s brightest young talents.

Carson will be out of contract in the summer and can begin negotiating a move in the January transfer window. Carson has established himself as the England Under-21’s first-choice goalkeeper despite only turning 19 in September.
 
There will be attempts this January by Liverpool to move on Jerzy Dudek, one of the club’s highest-earners, in order to lighten the load on the club’s wage bill.
 
The Poland international is now firmly behind Kirkland in the club’s pecking order and, at 31, wants the chance to play first-team football.
 
If Carson leaves on a Bosman free in the summer Leeds will only be entitled to compensation of ?150,000. Even if they were able to sell him in January, he would be likely to go for closer to ?400,000, much less than his ?1.2 million valuation.
 
Liverpool have already inquired about Carson but are likely to have competition from other Premiership sides if they try to sign the goalkeeper to a pre-contract agreement in the transfer window. The prospect of losing another of their academy players, following the departures of Alan Smith, Harry Kewell, Paul Robinson and James Milner in recent years will be made worse for Leeds by Carson’s situation.
 
After making his full debut in a 1-1 draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford last season, Carson has found his chances of first-team football restricted by Neil Sullivan, but he has been capped eight times by the Under-21s and is the first-choice goalkeeper under manager Peter Taylor.

[the-stinger]

T'would be an awesome coup if we do sign him up. Dudek is well out, sorry to see, but he has to go elsewhere. Just hope he doesn't do a Sander, and win a friggin title the season after he leaves.

[bigmick]

Feck me a sensible thread. if we could get a fee for Dudek, and contract length permitting we should, this would be a sensible move. Whether or not the Leeds kid will fancy sitting on the bench for a few years is another thing. Having said that, if you're gonna understudy anybody, I guess with Kirkland you'd have more chance of getting a game than most.

[Pig Catcher]

When ever I've seen Carson play he has looked a good keeper. Getting Dudek off our wage bill will free up space and funds for new players. It's a good idea.

[chiggz_likes_owen]

To bad, I actually prefered Dudek to Kirkland and hes got more experience and confidence.