by lakes10 » Tue Aug 10, 2004 2:46 pm
Baros eyes dream move to Barcelona
LIVERPOOL - With a week left to the new Premiership season, Liverpool striker Milan Baros has rocked the boat by admitting he wants to join Barcelona.
The Czech Republic player became one of Europe's most coveted names following his performances in Euro 2004, where he claimed the Golden Boot as the tournament's top scorer after five goals.
He was ready to leave Anfield during the summer after being overlooked by former manager Gerard Houllier towards the end of last season.
The arrival of Rafael Benitez saw a change of heart from the 22-year-old, who signed from Banik Ostrava for £3.6 million (S$11.3 million) in December 2001.
But Baros on Thursday cast a huge question mark over his Anfield future by admitting he has his heart set on a move to Barcelona, reported The Liverpool Echo.
Having already signed Henrik Larsson from Celtic, the Catalans are in the market for another forward after allowing Patrick Kluivert to join Newcastle United.
The £10-million-rated Baros explained: 'I've always wanted to play in the English league and for Barcelona.
'My first dream is done. I am happy I can play for Liverpool. It's a big club with great fans. I like everything here. But you can't be with Liverpool for 10 or 12 years.
'Everyone changes a club in his career. I wanted to go. But after Euro 2004, there's a new situation now.
'The manager Rafa Benitez just asked me about the future, not about the past. He just asked me what would happen if Barcelona came in.
'I told him that if somebody else came in I wanted to stay. But if it was Barcelona, it would be nice to go there.'
He faces stiff competition at Anfield from new £14-million signing Djibril Cisse, as well as Michael Owen and Florent Sinama-Pongolle.
He revealed that there had been interest from a few clubs but not from the one he wants. 'There is still one month left on the transfer window,' he said.
