Liverpool FC Forum

by **Reg** » Thu Mar 19, 2009 1:30 pm

Liverpool's transfer targets and sales now Rafa Benitez has signed on

After Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez ended speculation over his future in signing a four-year contract extension worth around £20 million that will keep him at Anfield until 2014 Telegraph Sport looks at five possible transfer targets and players on the way out.

FIVE OUT

Jermaine Pennant (Free)
The former Arsenal and Birmingham winger, currently on loan at Portsmouth, will not have his contract renewed after falling out with Benitez, with the manager concerned by his attitude in training.

Andriy Voronin (£2-3 million)
A flop in the Premier League, the Ukrainian has been in sparkling form since joining Hertha Berlin on loan. The Bundesliga remains his most likely destination, and Hertha his preferred move, should the Germans be able to find the cash.

Andrea Dossena (£4 million)
After early struggles at Anfield, Dossena’s two goals in two games suggest he is starting to find his feet, albeit as a left-winger and not a left-back. Benitez may be tempted to cash in, though, if a suitable offer from Italy arrives, with Juventus and Roma interested.

Philipp Degen (£1 million)
The Swiss full-back has featured just twice since his move from Borussia Dortmund after a succession of injuries. Benitez will surely move him on if he can find a buyer willing to take the risk.

Sami Hyypia (Free)
Benitez would be loathe to lose the former club captain, who proved at Old Trafford that he is more than capable of filling the breach when required. But the Finn, whose contract expires at the end of the season, may decide he wants one more year of playing regularly before hanging up his boots.

FIVE IN

Glen Johnson (Portsmouth, £8 million)
Liverpool’s most obvious weakness is at right back, where there is no natural cover for Alvaro Arbeloa. Johnson, an England international, would provide a more attacking alternative and is likely to be available as Portsmouth look to ease their financial concerns.

David Wheater (Middlesbrough, £5 million)
Should the ever-reliable Sami Hyypia leave, Benitez is likely to look at the Middlesbrough man as a young, English replacement. The Spaniard knows he has to boost his English contingent to meet UEFA regulations and, should Boro be relegated, Wheater would be an economic option.

Aaron Lennon (Tottenham, £10 million)
Benitez tried to include the wide man as part of the Robbie Keane deal but Harry Redknapp was unwilling to budge. There are suggestions that Liverpool may go back in the summer as Benitez tries to add natural width to a team which struggles to break down compact opponents.

Michael Mancienne (Chelsea, £4 million)
The England under-21 international has struggled to break in to Chelsea’s side and Benitez, on the lookout for English players, would be tempted to bring in a defender equally comfortable at centre back or full back.

Gareth Barry (Aston Villa, £15 million)
If Aston Villa fail to reach the Champions League, Barry may decide that he has to make the move he was dissuaded from last season. Benitez may choose to go back for the man who, ultimately, cost Rick Parry his job and is still keen on his dynamism and versatility.

by **HacksawJimDuggin** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 9:50 am

You just knew that this would happen...Rafa signs a new contracts and all sorts of rumours start flying about, about how much he is going to get in the summer and who he is after.

£30m transfer kitty + clearout of a few players = £40m +

Linked with Barry (a done deal if Villa fail to get 4th spot), Lennon (yes please), Valencia, David Silva etc etc.

I would take all 4 of them but I would also like to see us go after Steven Ireland @ Man City. From what I have seen he is one of those that has the potential to go some way to filling the void left when Stevie G isn't fit (or when he is finished). Young lad who has all the attributes to make it at the highest level!

by **Sabre** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 1:55 pm

HacksawJimDuggin wrote:You just knew that this would happen...Rafa signs a new contracts and all sorts of rumours start flying about, about how much he is going to get in the summer and who he is after.

£30m transfer kitty + clearout of a few players = £40m +

Linked with Barry (a done deal if Villa fail to get 4th spot), Lennon (yes please), Valencia, David Silva etc etc.

Indeed

Marca has written today Benitez "would be" (the conditional is used when they speculate) very interested on Silva, but that 30M might fall too short to attempt to sign Villa.

by **Ciggy** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 2:17 pm

Load of sh!te lennons just signed a new contract with Spurs.

by **DanAn** » Sat Mar 21, 2009 2:56 am

Ciggy wrote:Load of sh!te lennons just signed a new contract with Spurs.

I was hoping we wouldn't sign Lennon anyway.

Much rather do it properly by getting someone like Silva, Valencia, Mancini, Buonanotte, Maxi Rodriguez or through some rediculious stroke of magic Walcott.

by **RobinHood6969** » Sat Mar 21, 2009 11:08 am

Mancini is struggling at Inter mate

by **JoeTerp** » Sat Mar 21, 2009 5:52 pm

RobinHood6969 wrote:Mancini is struggling at Inter mate

which is why he should be available

by **aCe'** » Sat Mar 21, 2009 7:02 pm

JoeTerp wrote:
RobinHood6969 wrote:Mancini is struggling at Inter mate

which is why he should be available

we should go for him... a very good player and can play down both sides...

by **NANNY RED** » Sat Mar 21, 2009 11:26 pm

Sabre wrote:Marca has written today Benitez "would be" (the conditional is used when they speculate) very interested on Silva,

Its never gone away Sabes

by **JoeTerp** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 12:07 am

Sabre wrote:Marca has written today Benitez "would be" (the conditional is used when they speculate) very interested on Silva

I wonder if they were being serías?

play on serious in case you didn't get it.

by **tubby** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 12:08 am

I like David Silva. Hopefully Rafa and our Spanish players can influence him to come here.

by **Richj** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 1:50 pm

Id be happy if we only got Silva in the summer, pleasssseeeee

by **SupitsJonF** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 7:15 pm

Rumor is that United are going to sign Wigans Valencia.

by **RobinHood6969** » Mon Mar 23, 2009 10:53 am

Silva + Glen Johnson + Barry + Wheater More than enough i guess

by **RobinHood6969** » Mon Mar 23, 2009 10:56 am

aCe' wrote:
JoeTerp wrote:
RobinHood6969 wrote:Mancini is struggling at Inter mate

which is why he should be available

we should go for him... a very good player and can play down both sides...

Yeah but his confidence would be much less compared to his Roma days.. if it comes at a cheap we can always go for it

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