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by **Ciggy** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 10:56 pm

Liverpool ready to offer £12m for Manchester City Michael Johnson
By ALAN BIGGS - Daily Mail » Last updated at 21:50pm on 14th April 2008

Rafael Benitez has launched a £12million move to sign Manchester City's Michael Johnson in the summer.

It is the Liverpool boss's third attempt to take the 20-year-old midfielder to Anfield and evidence that the Spaniard is intent on building up his squad, despite the shadow of power politics that is threatening his long-term tenure.

Liverpool renewed their approach to City in the past few days and negotiations are at an advanced stage, with Johnson's heart set on a switch that was first mooted about a year ago.

Benitez is committed to capturing Johnson whether or not Sven Goran Eriksson succeeds in tempting Peter Crouch to Eastlands in a swap proposal that was set up to take place in January.

The exchange was put on ice when Johnson underwent surgery on a groin injury and Portsmouth have since mounted an attempt to lever Crouch from Eriksson's grasp.

But Benitez wants Johnson anyway and will offer either straight cash or players in part-exchange.

Johnson was the subject of a bid by Benitez last summer, but the deal was blocked by Eriksson.

The player remains desperate to move to Anfield, despite having three years left on his City contract.

City will offer Johnson an improved contract, but the youngster is determined that he will be playing Champions League football next season.

by **NANNY RED** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 10:58 pm

edited Ciggs beat me two it

by **JoeTerp** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 12:56 am

I still don't understand our interest in him

by **ruskiy playmaker** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 2:46 am

If Michael Johnson comes, then surely Alonso will go?

by **cpc4eva** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 4:39 am

JoeTerp wrote:I still don't understand our interest in him

i cant understand it either

we dont need another groin injury player on the team....

surely we arent chasing him

and 12million ffs better quality elsewhere

by **cpc4eva** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 12:03 pm

this sounds bs and unlikely to me but here it is...

why would we want this aging joker at 12mill - :censored:

i tell you

Liverpool primed to table £12m bid for Aston Villa captain Gareth Barry
Last updated at 11:27am on 15th April 2008

Liverpool are prepared to pay £12million for Aston Villa captain Gareth Barry and Reds' boss Rafa Benitez is demanding that the warring Anfield board back him.

It is believed that Liverpool have already contacted Villa about a move for the 27-year-old England midfielder and they are ready to swoop in the summer.

However, though co-owner Tom Hicks and Benitez have discussed transfer targets, the on-going power struggle between Hicks and George Gillett, who owns 50 per cent of the club, is hampering progress.
Chief executive Rick Parry has not been involved in the talks.

Benitez was shocked to discover Parry was at a November meeting with Jurgen Klinsmann in which the German was sounded out about taking the Anfield job.

On Sunday, Benitez appeared the throw his support behind Hicks' demands that Parry should resign.

Yet Parry is keen for clear-the-air talks, claiming he attended the meeting only under orders from co-owners Hicks and George Gillett.

Hicks last week called for Parry to resign, and he remains under pressure, but the chief executive has called for unity.

Parry told Sportsmail: "I said the ownership difficulties needed resolving because they were doing the club harm, and I stick by that. I was surely only echoing a sentiment that would be shared by any Liverpool supporter.

"It is essential we keep moving forward, and we can only do that by sorting things out at the top. It needs doing urgently, so we can restore some stability and get on with planning for the future."

Hicks met Klinsmann too, but is now backing Benitez and wants rid of Parry and Gillett.

A move for Barry must be agreed by all parties at Anfield.

Villa boss Martin O'Neill is desperate to keep Barry, who was on the verge of joining Portsmouth in a £4.5m deal last summer.

He has promised to improve his skipper's current £50,000-a-week deal, which has two years left to run.

However, as long as Benitez stays in charge at Anfield, the lure of a European football could prove too great for Barry.

by **Ola Mr Benitez** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 12:29 pm

Why does Benitez think we need another midfield player???

RAFA WE NEED WINGERS!!!!!

by **maypaxvobiscum** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 12:58 pm

barry would be a good signing IMO and im cool with it. but johnson......we dont need him. we have so many CMs.

by **66-1112520797** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 1:23 pm

Phillip Lahm would be a very good signing indeed, hope we bid for him.

by **ruskiy playmaker** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 4:19 pm

cpc4eva wrote:Liverpool primed to table £12m bid for Aston Villa captain Gareth Barry

Please God nooooooooooo.

by **metalhead** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 4:39 pm

I wouldnt mind having gareth barry, but not to play him in midfield. Would want him as a left back.

by **account deleted by request** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 4:51 pm

What happens if Gerrard gets injured (or needs a rest)? Johnson is creative and attacking (unlike our other midfielders ,except possibly Lucas?) and would be a reasonable alternative to Gerrard. I still think Alonso will leave in the summer but I don't see Johnson as a ready made replacement for Alonso, just someone to play Gerrards role when he is injured or needs a rest.

Gareth Barry on the other hand would be a replacement for Alonso, although he can also play left midfield, fullback, wingback and even CB in a pinch. He would be a great versatile squad player as well as a goalscoring defensive midfielder.

Having said all that I would have thought our main priorities should be in other areas (unless Rafa wants Barry as Left midfield ?

by **Sabre** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 4:52 pm

Bamaga man wrote:Phillip Lahm would be a very good signing indeed, hope we bid for him.

+1

That's the kind of player we need. I could use all Bayern Munich right wing, to be perfectly honest.

by **account deleted by request** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 4:55 pm

Man City are after Diego for £10million - That's the kind of player we need.

by **Magz** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 5:20 pm

Read on another forum we are after Swiss center back Degen? Anyone know if this is true

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