Liverpool FC Forum

by **Judge** » Fri Jan 13, 2006 9:04 am

peewee wrote:i hear the @rse have offered 5 million up front and 5 million after so many games

aye peewee, the radio said this morning that the gooners have made an offer, which could net southampton 15 million

so it looks like he is off to The gooners

by **Ciggy** » Fri Jan 13, 2006 9:07 am

If he doesnt come to us then I prefer him to go to the gooners, rather than the mancs, or Cheatski.
But 10 million plus rising for an unproven player is a BIG BIG gamble.
Henry and Ashley Cole will be off in the summer anyway, Arsenal are no longer a threat us.

by **Ace Ventura** » Fri Jan 13, 2006 9:44 am

Arsene Wenger has a great history with young players that is a fact, but how many young english players fit into his plans and style of play ?
What happened to Pennant, before he went there he was supposed to be the next great thing, and although i think he is a fantastic player he didnt get a look in at Arsenal.

Whats to say Walcott wont fall into the same trap ?

He also f'cked off Sidwell Bentley (on loan) and even Jug eared Jeffers who was a hot prospect went badly down hill.

Not everything Mr Wenger touches turns to gold, and not many english players flourish at highbury.

by **maximus** » Fri Jan 13, 2006 10:35 am

Thats a good point Ace, my mates little brother - Jerome Thomas - was with Arsenal at youth level an did not even get a look in, won the FA youth Cup with the gooners and all. Was eventually sold to Charlton for 100k!! Been doing wonders there, and enjoying his football to boot.

by **2520years** » Fri Jan 13, 2006 10:43 am

If he's a 'red' but chose Arsenal, it may be that Liverpool were priced out of the market (again).

by **tubby** » Fri Jan 13, 2006 11:00 am

Well its definate. Hes goign to Arsenal for around 15M. Oh well. Maybe Rafa will pluck some talanted youth from the other side of that world.

by **bigmick** » Fri Jan 13, 2006 11:10 am

I personally think the sums of money which are being bandied about for this kid are absolutely ridiculous. On SKY it says his fee is an initial 4 million which could rise to 9 million with appearances etc. For a 16 year old boy it is bizarre IMHO.

by **tubby** » Fri Jan 13, 2006 11:14 am

Its a shame really i was hoping to see him in a Liverpool shirt.

by **Ciggy** » Fri Jan 13, 2006 11:16 am

bigmick wrote:I personally think the sums of money which are being bandied about for this kid are absolutely ridiculous. On SKY it says his fee is an initial 4 million which could rise to 9 million with appearances etc. For a 16 year old boy it is bizarre IMHO.

The BBC are reporting 15 million. For an unproven 16 year old, Arsene must have lost the plot

by **maximus** » Fri Jan 13, 2006 11:20 am

Off the Liverpool Echo site today

"If you do not pay very big money, crazy sometimes, you cannot sign English players. Have you seen the prices being asked for home-grown players? If those prices were cut, that is the only way we can sign them"

"People think we have a lot of money and we can pay over the value. We will only pay the true value of a player."

"For the most part players think only of money. If you are going to play for Liverpool you must think of other things first"

These quotes confirm Rafa's buying philosophy for me, and quite right too.

Lets 'build' for the future success and financial security of the club, quick fixes not wanted or indeed needed.

Viva the RAFALUTION :buttrock

by **columbia** » Fri Jan 13, 2006 11:46 am

ESPN

Saints deny Walcott deal with Gunners

Southampton have rubbished rumours that Arsenal have won the race to sign their 16-year-old superstar Theo Walcott.

Reports suggested a £15m deal had been reached following Southampton chairman Rupert Lowe's visit to Arsenal's training ground on Thursday but Lowe said: 'It is the first I have heard of it.'

'We would have to have agreed a fee for him to do that - and we have not done so.'

'Clive Woodward and I visited Arsenal's training ground just to look at their facilities which are magnificent,' Lowe added.

'Maybe that has caused some crossed wires? But we have not agreed to sell Theo, we want to keep him.

The Saints chairman had previously said that he could not give any 'copper-bottom' guarantees that Walcott will stay at St Mary's.

Striker Walcott has a pre-contract agreement with Southampton to sign a professional contract on his 17th birthday in March.

But FIFA rules mean Walcott could sign for another club after his birthday with Southampton entitled to compensation - which could be around £500,000 - decided by a tribunal.

The proposed move to Arsenal could land Southampton £15million, with around 35 per cent of the fee paid up front and the rest dependent on appearances and goals for the Gunners.

Walcott's agent Colin Gordon told BBC Sport: 'Our only concern is Theo's best interest and development as a player.'

Lowe said: 'We want him to stay but I cannot give any copper-bottomed answers and say he will be here.

'In the same way that supporters have jobs and sometimes move on, if he feels he is better served by a move then that is a matter for him.'

Chelsea and Tottenham are also reportedly keen on signing the England Under-17 international.

by **stmichael** » Fri Jan 13, 2006 12:05 pm

bigmick wrote:I personally think the sums of money which are being bandied about for this kid are absolutely ridiculous. On SKY it says his fee is an initial 4 million which could rise to 9 million with appearances etc. For a 16 year old boy it is bizarre IMHO.

I agree Bigmick. Its always going to be a risk mate at that price.

Lets not forget Rooney's contributions at that age - weren't exactly consistent in the PL - sporadic moments of genius.

The only difference with Walcott and Rooney - was that Rooney broke into the international team so early - and saved his best performances for the England shirt. He only began to develop a more consistent set of performances last season with Man U - and this year he's continuing in the vein.

It is very similar to Walcott - he hasn't scored goals but his all round play and ability is heads and shoulders above most players of his age - as i mentioned above - he is small, impish, absolutely electric with the ball at his feet. And at 16 - a player coveted by Liverpool, Chelsea and other clubs must have something special. £15 million is outrageous though.

by **LiverpoolMadman** » Fri Jan 13, 2006 12:06 pm

Reports suggested a £15m deal had been reached following Southampton chairman Rupert Lowe's visit to Arsenal

15m for 16 year old. This is madness ..

by **Garymac** » Fri Jan 13, 2006 12:14 pm

cisses_gona_get_ya wrote:
bigmick wrote:I personally think the sums of money which are being bandied about for this kid are absolutely ridiculous. On SKY it says his fee is an initial 4 million which could rise to 9 million with appearances etc. For a 16 year old boy it is bizarre IMHO.

The BBC are reporting 15 million. For an unproven 16 year old, Arsene must have lost the plot

In 5 years time whoever signs him this will have been considered a bargain, IMO.

by **stmichael** » Fri Jan 13, 2006 12:24 pm

here's a clip of the lad playing

http://www.soccerfanatics.net/soccervideo/2563740573l.wmv.html

Liverpool FC Forum

Theo wallcott. - I'm a red & my dad was a red too.

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