Liverpool FC Forum

RedSi35 wrote:Valencia midfielder Ever Banega is keen on securing a summer move to Liverpool, Goal.com has learned.

It appears that Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is set to raid his former club.

Now it is believed that Banega is fully in favour of a move to Anfield, despite the lack of UEFA Champions League football on Merseyside next season.

Sources close to the 21-year-old central midfielder have told Goal.com Spain that the Reds have put on the table a four-year contract, which has delighted the midfielder, paving the way for a move which would see him link up with fellow Argentinians Javier Mascherano and Emiliano Insua.

It is understood that Liverpool have made a bid of around £8.5 million [€10m], Banega's buyout clause, but is considerably less than the £15m [€18m] los Che paid Boca Juniors to take him from the Bombonera two years ago.

Since leaving his home country, Banega has endured an up-and-down time in Spain, struggling to settle at first and being the subject of a fairly embarrassing 'video scandal'.

He was loaned out to Atletico Madrid and monitored by Everton, but was eventually recalled by coach Unai Emery and realised his potential this season. Alongside David Villa and Silva, Banega was hailed as one of the key components in Valencia's team, who have secured third place in La Liga behind Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Valencia's financial problems are well publicised and despite talk of potential big-money departures from the Mestalla, such as David Villa, Silva and Juan Mata, the transfer income from such sales would not be sufficient to get anywhere near clearing their debt, which is now in excess of £511m [€600m]. As a result, every player is unofficially for sale this summer in what could be another make-or-break transfer window for the club.

Ben Patrick wrote:

Reg wrote:Chelsea and Manchester City offered Barcelona striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic
12 May 2010 - 12:35:11

Chelsea and Manchester City offered Barcelona striker Zlatan IbrahimovicChelsea and Manchester City are being offered the chance to sign Zlatan Ibrahimovic in a deal that would create a new British transfer record.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta is keen to offload the Sweden striker and has reportedly recruited agent and close friend Pini Zahavi to find a buyer willing to pay in excess of £40million.

Chelsea and City have been targeted as the likeliest takers in England and are about to be sounded out, following a clear signal both clubs are looking to strengthen up front. Chelsea are still concentrating their efforts on trying to prise £70m-rated Fernando Torres away from Liverpool and will wait to discover their prospects of landing the World Cup-bound Spain striker before considering the merits of Ibrahimovic.

City have the funds to meet Barcelona's asking price but will carefully weigh up whether the 28-year old's occasionally sullen demeanour and fitful flair meets their requirements. The £32.5m City paid Real Madrid for Robinho remains the record fee by a British club, but Barcelona will hold out for significantly more than that for a player they signed from Inter Milan for £40m plus Samuel Eto'o.
New Juventus president Andrea Agnelli wants to take Ibrahimovic back to Turin but is reluctant to pay more than £35m, prompting Laporta to try and guage interest levels elsewhere in Europe.

Ibrahimovic has come under fire for failing to provide a cutting edge when Barcelona needed it most, in their Champions' League semi-final return meeting with Inter at the Nou Camp. Traling 3-1 from the first leg, Ibrahimovic could make little impression on a well-drilled Inter defence, as a belated breakthrough from defender Gerard Pique proved too little too late.

Honorary president Johan Cruyff sprang to the defence of Barca's misfiring striker, who has scored 16 times this season, saying: 'Ibrahimovic has been instrumental in securing victories, even in the last few games. To say so lightly that this player does not work, that he is not worth it, is to have a short memory.' But Laporta has set his sights on David Villa and wants to free up space in his starting line-up, as well as generate the necessary funds, to press ahead with a move for the Valencia frontrunner, who has also been linked with Chelsea.
++

Why would they pay £70m for Fernando Torreswhen they can get this lad for 40?

In answer to your question Reg....

Because Torres is miles better than Ibrahimovic.

RedSi35 wrote:Valencia midfielder Ever Banega is keen on securing a summer move to Liverpool, Goal.com has learned.

It appears that Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is set to raid his former club.

Now it is believed that Banega is fully in favour of a move to Anfield, despite the lack of UEFA Champions League football on Merseyside next season.

Sources close to the 21-year-old central midfielder have told Goal.com Spain that the Reds have put on the table a four-year contract, which has delighted the midfielder, paving the way for a move which would see him link up with fellow Argentinians Javier Mascherano and Emiliano Insua.

It is understood that Liverpool have made a bid of around £8.5 million [€10m], Banega's buyout clause, but is considerably less than the £15m [€18m] los Che paid Boca Juniors to take him from the Bombonera two years ago.

Since leaving his home country, Banega has endured an up-and-down time in Spain, struggling to settle at first and being the subject of a fairly embarrassing 'video scandal'.

He was loaned out to Atletico Madrid and monitored by Everton, but was eventually recalled by coach Unai Emery and realised his potential this season. Alongside David Villa and Silva, Banega was hailed as one of the key components in Valencia's team, who have secured third place in La Liga behind Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Valencia's financial problems are well publicised and despite talk of potential big-money departures from the Mestalla, such as David Villa, Silva and Juan Mata, the transfer income from such sales would not be sufficient to get anywhere near clearing their debt, which is now in excess of £511m [€600m]. As a result, every player is unofficially for sale this summer in what could be another make-or-break transfer window for the club.

bavlondon wrote:How much substance is there to this Banega rumor? He is a top player and an expensive one at that.

LFC2007 wrote:

bavlondon wrote:How much substance is there to this Banega rumor? He is a top player and an expensive one at that.

Have you seen him? I think he's very overrated, much like Gago was/is. Not saying I've seen much of him but Valencia have been on sky/ch 5 a few times this season and he didn't standout in the games I saw him. I'd want a cultured passer if we're going to replace Aquilani or Lucas, and I don't think he's that at all.

RedSi35 wrote:Liverpool are hoping to make a successful move for German international starlet Mesut Ozil this summer.

Rafa Benitez is a big fan of the Werder Bremen attacker and hopes that he can convince the Bundesliga club to accept an offer in the region of £8m for the 21 year old.

The former Schalke man reportedly has just one year left on his contract and may well be interested in a move to the Premier League and would no doubt be excited by interest shown in him by the Anfield outfit.

Rafa Benitez is looking for more creativity in his midfield and is apparently most interested in Ozil's ability to play in a number of different positions.

The well built Bremen man can play across the midfield as well as effectively on both wings but perhaps most interestingly can be used in the hole behind the strikers.

A number of sides are reportedly interested in Ozil with Arsenal being one side who has repeatedly linked with a move for his services and has been in sparkling form this term weighing in with nine goals and 17 assists which have helped his side to a third placed finish and a coveted Champions League spot.

Author:caught offside