Liverpool FC Forum

We bought Phil Babb and El Hadj Diouf off the back of impressive performances the World cup and look where that got us. Ron Vlaar is in that same 'average player has great tournament' bracket IMO.
It's a bit concerning to hear that Arsenal now look to be on the verge of signing Khedira as well as Sanchez, it looks like the penny may have finally dropped with Wenger, he's not making many signings but the ones he is are proven quality. The likes of Sanchez, Khedira, Ozil, Cazorla, Walcott and Ramsey etc will make a formidable team next season, shrewd business in the market has propelled them into the title race.

Calm down mate.

Ozil has been wasted money for them so far, while Khedira and Sanchez haven't even signed let alone performed well for Arsenal.

Who cares about Arsenal anyway?

We have made decent signings so far and Markovic could be a real star. Forget all the names we have been linked with most of it is nonsense anyway.

JC_81 » Thu Jul 10, 2014 8:43 am wrote:Calm down mate.

Ozil has been wasted money for them so far, while Khedira and Sanchez haven't even signed let alone performed well for Arsenal.

Who cares about Arsenal anyway?

We have made decent signings so far and Markovic could be a real star. Forget all the names we have been linked with most of it is nonsense anyway.

I care about what all our rivals do not just Arsenal, it's often said these days that football is a business well what company doesn't take any notice of what their competitors are doing?
You say most of the names we are being linked to are nonsense but Origi was in Melwood yesterday and our interest in the likes of Bertrand, Lovren and Davies came from sources like the Echo etc

A couple of Twitter rumors...

Chelsea had made an attempt to exercise their option but Markovic rejected it because he felt he wouldn't get enough game time. (O Jogo)

Sevilla have contacted Iago Aspas' reps over a transfer. Liverpool want the €9m they paid while Sevilla want to pay €6m. (SPORT)

Wilfried Bony representatives in North West talking personal terms with Liverpool ahead of poss move. Swansea want at least £20m.

From Liverpool Echo...

France midfielder Antoine Griezmann has put Liverpool FC and a whole host of other clubs on alert after declaring that he could leave Spanish side Real Sociedad, reports the Daily Mirror .

The World Cup star would cost around £25m after his performances in Brazil caught the eye.

The 23-year-old could also be a target for Paris Saint Germain and Arsenal have had him watched in the past.

Brendan Rodgers could be ready to make a move for Swansea left-back Ben Davies after a move for Alberto Moreno stalled, according to Wales Online .

The 21-year-old would be available for around £10m and Rodgers could move for a player he knows well from his time in South Wales.

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly held an interest,  but if Liverpool do submit a firm offer Davies could instead head to Anfield.

Sevilla have offered Liverpool around £5m for striker Iago Aspas, according to the Daily Star .

The Reds would like to at least recoup the £7m they paid Celta Vigo for his services last year - but are ready to cut their losses on the Spaniard.

Aspas scored just one goal for Liverpool last season, in the FA Cup victory over Oldham, and struggled to make an impact at Anfield.

Nigeria World Cup star Ogenyi Onazi’s future is in the English Premier League as his representatives have opened talks with both Liverpool and Manchester City.

Sources close to the Nigeria midfield star exclusively told AfricanFootball.com on Friday Onazi will not extend his contract with Serie A side Lazio when it runs out next summer.

The sources disclosed that Onazi is on a youth contract at the Italian club and now wants out with his representatives already in talks with both Liverpool and Manchester City.

“Onazi’s future is in the EPL with either Liverpool or Manchester City. His agents are working on this,” one of the sources informed.

“He will most certainly not extend his time with Lazio particularly as he has been a youth contract with the club ever since.

“He now wants to cash in on his performance with a big-money move to England.”

Onazi has established himself in the Super Eagles since he took his chance in the first team as Nigeria went on to win a third Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa last year.

He also featured at the 2013 FIFA Confederation Cup as well as the 2014 World Cup, where his second-half exit in a round of 16 match against France due to injury clearly exposed the shortcomings in the Eagles midfield.

He is presently on holidays in Abuja.

The Echo has spoken

Lazar Markovic is set to undergo a medical on Thursday ahead of completing his £20million move from Benfica to Liverpool FC.

The highly-rated Serbian winger will become the Reds' fourth summer signing following deals for Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana and Emre Can.

Liverpool also remain on course to wrap up the transfer of Lille striker Divock Origi.

The Belgium international visited Melwood with his family on Wednesday for a tour of the club's training base and he met boss Brendan Rodgers for the first time.

An initial fee of £6million, which could rise to £9.8million with add-ons, has already been agreed with Lille.

Origi would be loaned back to the French outfit for the coming season before linking up with the Reds squad next summer.

The 19-year-old is weighing up his options after attracting plenty of interest following his eye-catching performances at the World Cup finals in Brazil.

"It is true that there are offers from all over Europe," he told press in his homeland.

"Now I have to look carefully where I will grow as a player and as a person. Things will be clearer within two weeks at the most."

Tottenham are among those rival clubs trying to land Origi but after face to face talks with the frontman Liverpool remain confident they will win the battle for his services.

AC Milan's Mario Balotelli has been touted as a possible signing but the ECHO understands that the Reds have no interest in the £30million-rated Italian striker.

Liverpool believe they have pulled off a major coup with the signing of Markovic and Avram Grant agrees.

The former Chelsea boss managed the youngster during his spell in charge of Partizan Belgrade.

"I can say that apart from Ronaldo and Messi, Markovic is one of the best talents I've ever seen at 19 years of age," Grant said.

Markovic's former Benfica teammate Nemanja Matic, who made the switch to Chelsea back in January, added: "What can I say about Markovic? It was excellent playing with this kid for six months.

"He has such massive potential that if he changed his attitude in training he could be one of Europe's best players in his position.

"But he's young, he'll mature, and then nobody will be able to stop him."

Source: Liverpool Echo

Liverpool have joined Tottenham in the race to sign Swansea striker Wilfried Bony.

Spurs have had an £18million bid for the Ivory Coast star rejected by the Swans and the Reds are now ready to beat their Premier League rivals to his signature.

talkSPORT understands Bony's representatives are on Merseyside to hold talks with Liverpool, although a fee with Swansea has yet to be agreed.

The Welsh club are looking for at least £20million for Bony, who joined from Vitesse Arnhem last summer for £12m.

The Reds have already signed England forward Rickie Lambert and are close to a deal for Belgian striker Divock Origi, but the latter is likely to be loaned backed to Lille and Brendan Rodgers wants another hitman.

Bony enjoyed a successful debut season in England, scoring 25 goals in all competitions last year, and has stated his desire to play Champions League football next season.

Liverpool's move for the forward will be a big blow to Spurs, who were hoping to push through a £26m double deal for Bony and his Swans teammate Ben Davies, also reported to be a Reds target.

Source: talkSPORT

Liverpool are on the brink of finalising deals for Dejan Lovren, Lazar Markovic and Divock Origi.

Belgium forward Origi, who shot to prominence with his performances at the World Cup, arrived at Melwood on Wednesday for talks over a switch to Anfield from French club Lille.

Goal understands the 19-year-old attacker was shown around the club's training complex and agreed personal terms, with Tottenham's reported late interest in the talented striker wide of the mark.

Benfica winger Markovic, meanwhile, is expected to fly to England to undergo a medical on Thursday, with Liverpool having agreed to pay his £19.8m release fee.

The former Partizan player, who turned 20 in March, has been tipped to become a future star, with caretaker Serbia boss Ljubinko Drulovic believing he can become a "major worldwide player" by joining Rodgers' side.

Liverpool are also looking to bring in defensive cover in the form of Southampton defender Lovren.

The Saints defender has already stated his desire to join the Merseysiders and will shun interest from Arsenal and Tottenham to seal his dream move to Anfield, with Liverpool just needing to negotiate a fee with Southampton.

A deal for the Croatia centre-back would represent the Reds' third signing from their Premier League rivals, with Rickie Lambert and Adam Lallana having already joined ahead of the 2014-15 campaign.

Source: Goal.com

Chelsea are holding out for an £8million deal for reserve left-back Ryan Bertrand.

Liverpool had a £6m bid for Bertrand rejected, while Tottenham have also shown a strong interest in the player.

Both clubs are also looking at Swansea left-back Ben Davies, but Chelsea are still refusing to drop their valuation of Bertrand.

Despite considering switching their attention to £10m-rated Davies, Liverpool could try to reach an agreement with Chelsea by increasing their original offer with a series of add-ons.

Tottenham failed with a cheeky bid to swap Gylfi Sigurdsson for Swansea pair Davies and goalkeeper Michel Vorm, and are now considering their options

Heard today the supposed interest in Bony is very much real.

cardiff-red » Thu Jul 10, 2014 11:54 am wrote:Chelsea are holding out for an £8million deal for reserve left-back Ryan Bertrand.

Liverpool had a £6m bid for Bertrand rejected, while Tottenham have also shown a strong interest in the player.

Both clubs are also looking at Swansea left-back Ben Davies, but Chelsea are still refusing to drop their valuation of Bertrand.

Despite considering switching their attention to £10m-rated Davies, Liverpool could try to reach an agreement with Chelsea by increasing their original offer with a series of add-ons.

Tottenham failed with a cheeky bid to swap Gylfi Sigurdsson for Swansea pair Davies and goalkeeper Michel Vorm, and are now considering their options

Davies and Bertrand? I'd rather save our money and stick with Enrique and Flanno. There's no significant upgrade there if any at all, Infact I'd argue Flanno is more of a prospect than the pair of them. The only thing they've got going for them is that Rodgers has worked with them before.

Doeboy » Thu Jul 10, 2014 12:53 pm wrote:Heard today the supposed interest in Bony is very much real.

If true that would just sum up our transfer philosophy really. We have spent £4m on Lambert, £10m on Origi and this fella would probably cost £12m+ as well. That's near £30m on a collection of strikers who will spend the best part of next season sitting on the bench or on loan because none of them are better than Sturridge.

I think Bony does have potential to displace Sturridge or play with him in certain games. Good player and a signing I'd welcome.

My only regret would be paying 20mil for him now when we had him as a trialist during Benitez's reign and didn't take him on.

JC_81 » Thu Jul 10, 2014 1:24 pm wrote:I think Bony does have potential to displace Sturridge or play with him in certain games. Good player and a signing I'd welcome.

My only regret would be paying 20mil for him now when we had him as a trialist during Benitez's reign and didn't take him on.

Arsenal sign Sanchez, Chelsea sign Costa and we sign Bony, says it all really.
I don't know why Brendan is seemingly obsessed with signing players that he's worked with before either, since he's been here we have either signed or been strongly linked with the likes of Joe Allen, Fabio Borini, Victor Moses, Gylfi Signurdsson, Ashley Williams, Michel Vorm, Salomon Kalou, Scott Sinclair etc etc and now Davies and Bertrand.
Apart from Joe Allen how many of those are what you'd call a 'Liverpool player'? Someone at the club needs to tell him 'look Brendan you are a great manager but your mates aren't good enough to play for us'.