Liverpool FC Forum

by **GYBS** » Wed Jul 08, 2009 6:02 pm

Liverpool FC sign French starlet Chris Mavinga from Paris St Germain
Jul 8 2009 by Tony Barrett, Liverpool Echo

LIVERPOOL are set to make their second summer signing after agreeing a deal to bring promising French left-back Chris Mavinga to Anfield.

The France under-18 international has been snapped up from Paris Saint Germain under the nose of Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, who was keen to take Mavinga to the Emirates.

Liverpool will have to pay PSG a compensation fee for the 18-year-old who was yet to sign a full contract with the French club.

Mavinga’s recruitment is timely with Fabio Aurelio set to miss the start of the season with a knee injury and Andrea Dossena likely to leave Anfield should Liverpool receive a suitable offer for his services.

Emiliano Insua underlined his promise last season but Benitez will be happy that the young Argentinian will face increased competition for his place when the new season gets under way.

With Glen Johnson already signed from Portsmouth in a club record deal for a defender, the Reds boss has clearly earmarked Liverpool’s full-back positions as areas which can be improved.

Johnson was today undertaking his first day of training as a Liverpool player as he and fellow England international Steven Gerrard joined in with their team mates at Melwood.

Benitez gave the England duo an extra few days holiday to allow them to recover from their excursions with the national team in early June.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid are continuing to play cat and mouse with Liverpool over Xabi Alonso.

Real president Fiorentino Perez is desperate to make Alonso his latest big name signing at the Bernabeu but with Benitez adamant that his midfield playmaker is not for sale, Real sporting director Jorge Valdano has admitted the Spanish giants may be priced out of a move for the 27-year-old.

“Liverpool have adopted a position that is making it very difficult for us and right now we can see ourselves distancing ourselves from the player,” said Valdano.

“There are people who are a little bit mistaken when they speak with Real Madrid.

“When we ask after a player they think it is a great economic opportunity and they go beyond what is reasonable.

“We are looking at alternatives to Xabi – players who have a lot in common with him.

“He is great at distributing the ball and we need someone who runs the game but there are very few players in the world who can do what he does.”

Valdano’s comments will cut little ice with Benitez whose relationship with Real’s sporting director is difficult at best.

In the absence of any formal indication from Alonso that he would like to quit Anfield then Liverpool will not be compelled to sell no matter how much pressure Real put them under as the Spanish international still has three years remaining on his contract.

So unless Alonso puts in a transfer request or Real make the Reds an offer they cannot refuse the player will remain with Liverpool.

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