Liverpool FC Forum

by **jeffiroquai** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 12:39 pm

Anyone else heard rumors that Nemeth is off to Leeds for a loan spell?

by **66-1112520797** » Sat Jul 26, 2008 2:43 am

Jimmymac wrote:
Bamaga man wrote:
Just heard a rumour that scares me as a Liverpool fan: Arsenal have contacted the MSI group that currently own Javier Mascherano. Apparently, he has only one year left on his loan deal at Liverpool who don't have the rights to the player. If Arsenal were to succeed in a 20 million bid for him, Liverpool can expect minimal compensation (3-5 million) or have to face losing him for nothing next season. Arsenal see him as the perfect replacement for Flamini, and also know that it would damage Liverpool's transfer activity. We are trying to raise funds by selling Alonso, who we would have to keep at the club if Mascherano were to leave. This would mean that we could only afford one of Robbie Keane and Gareth Barry. We might be forced to buy a cheaper alternative to one of them.

Surley thats bollox, I got that rumour from a Pool fan on sky.

I thought we bought Mascha and own him. hopefully matey here has the wrong end of the stick.

its absolute , MSI have no ties to Mascherano at all any more, we own his registration papers, his contract is purely with our club.

God know who came up with that one but I heard about it in a couple of places, its someone without two brain cells to rub together that doesnt know anything about Masch's deal.

He signed a 4 year contract with us at the end of February.

Yep thats what I thought.

by **redsince2001** » Sat Jul 26, 2008 4:02 am

Robbie Keane heads to Anfield in £20m deal

By Colin Wood Last updated at 11:30 PM on 25th July 2008

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Robbie Keane is due to arrive at Liverpool early next week to undergo a medical and complete his £18million move from Tottenham.

The deal will cast further doubt over Rafael Benitez's ability to pay Aston Villa a similar figure for Gareth Barry. The England midfielder is set to return to first team action against Odense at Villa Park today in the InterToto Cup third round second leg for the first time since he demanded a move to Anfield.

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Robbie Keane

On his way: Robbie Keane will be scoring no more for Spurs

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* Liverpool's Mascherano aiming for Olympic and Premier League double
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The issue of having to choose between his two main transfer targets has been hanging over Benitez after he failed to raise extra money by negotiating the £16m sale of Xabi Alonso to Juventus or Inter Milan.

The Liverpool manager was absent from Melwood yesterday as European Championship winner Alonso returned to training seeking urgent talks over his future.

Benitez was believed to be busy finalising the Keane deal, which could rise to £20m if Liverpool win either the Premier League or Champions League during his time at Anfield. The Republic of Ireland striker, 28, will sign for his boyhood favourites more than a decade after turning down the chance to join Liverpool when he left Crumlin United in Dublin to start his career in England.

Keane chose Wolves because he felt he would have a better chance of first team football. He went on to play for Coventry, Inter Milan and Leeds before moving to White Hart Lane where he has become a crowd favourite over the last six years with his consistent goal record.

It became clear he would be leaving when Tottenham boss Juande Ramos did not even name him among the substitutes for Thursday night's friendly against Hercules in Spain.

He also refused to discuss the Keane situation afterwards. Benitez, however, is not giving up the chase for Barry - who was abused by angry Villa fans when he played for the reserves against Walsall in midweek - and still hopes to raise the money by selling players or persuading the club to release more funds.

by **Toffeehater** » Sun Jul 27, 2008 6:15 pm

Long time since i posted a transfer rumor but i think this is one which is possible and might happen and is one of the positions we are looking to improve on .

STEWART DOWNING has put Liverpool on red alert after declaring his desire to play Champions League football.

The England winger, 23, only signed a new five-year deal for current club Middlesbrough last Febuary.

But after speculation linking him with a switch to Anfield, Downing admits the draw of European action may prove too hard to resist in the long run.

He said: "If there are big clubs interested in you it is flattering and sometimes you are tempted.

“My mates are big Boro fans and they obviously want me to be at Middlesbrough for all my career, and if we become a top team, a Champions League team, then there would be no question about going.

“But if we don’t eventually make that step, then one day I might have to make that decision. It’s an important couple of years for me.

“I think every player likes to try something new in their career and I’m no different.”

by **RedBen** » Sun Jul 27, 2008 6:26 pm

I would prefer him over Barry. He's more than 3 years younger and probably not as expensive and he's a natural winger and not a CM who CAN play there.

by **Toffeehater** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 8:33 am

And here's one of barry , not really a rumor but it does affect LFC and barry

ASTON VILLA boss Martin O’Neill will launch a bold ‘cash and kisses’ bid to finally kill Gareth Barry’s £18million move to Liverpool.

O’Neill is ready to offer a club-record four-year deal, giving Barry a 50 per cent pay rise.

And with Liverpool spending their money elsewhere — £20m on Tottenham striker Robbie Keane, for instance — O’Neill is now showing signs of confidence that he can hang on to the England midfielder, 27.

Northern Irishman O’Neill has never previously talked financial figures with Barry because Villa’s key man still has two years left on his current deal.

But in talks with Barry today, O’Neill plans to:

PROPOSE a hike in Barry’s weekly wage from £42,000 to £63,000.

CONFIRM the midfielder will continue his role as captain at Villa Park.

THROW IN a £1m glamour game for Barry’s testimonial.

SMOTHER his wantaway star with love and praise.

If all that fails, O’Neill might consider a clause allowing Barry to leave the Midlands — for Liverpool, Arsenal or wherever else — next summer if this season fails to bring success.

He revealed: “In my view, Gareth should hang around for one more year to see if we can make the sort of progress everybody wants.

“If that success doesn’t happen, I’m sure we’d all wish him well.”

Barry came on as an early sub for Wilfred Bouma in Saturday’s hard-earned 1-0 Intertoto win over Danish club Odense and received a rousing reception from the Holte End faithful.

It was in stark contrast to the jeers he suffered last week at Walsall.

And O’Neill, falsely accused of attempting to humiliate the player by picking him for that reserve friendly at the Bescot Stadium, insisted: “Gareth was fantastic against Odense.

“He showed what he is all about — and the supporters showed exactly how much they like him.

“Most of the crowd were shouting things like ‘Only one Gareth Barry’ and ‘Barry for Villa’.

“It seems to me that Gareth is valued more by Aston Villa than he is by Liverpool. That should tell him something.

“He would be a terrible loss. That’s why I hope any discussions can point us in the right direction.

“I am prepared to revisit the issue of a contract, plus a possible testimonial. We intend to be as positive as we can.

“Hopefully, all of this admiration and affection for Gareth will have an effect on the lad.

“He is human after all and we all like our fair share of praise, don’t we?”

With Villa safely qualified for Friday’s UEFA Cup draw, O’Neill bristled at any suggestion he might now contact Liverpool to find out whether Barry stays or goes.

He said: “Why on Earth would I telephone Rafa Benitez or anyone else at another club to discuss one of Villa’s own players?

“Do I need Liverpool’s permission to pick Gareth all of a sudden?”

by **metalhead** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 10:23 am

Rafinha Back On Liverpool Radar
Brazilian fullback Rafinha is once again being linked with a possible transfer to Premier League side Liverpool.
He has long been linked with a move to the Merseyside giants with Reds boss Rafa Benitez a confirmed admirer of the Schalke right back.

With Alvaro Arbeloa being linked with a move back to Spain following a mystery £6 million bid, money could well be available for the purchase of Rafinha.

The Brazilian is also in dispute with his club at the moment over the Olympics, and his future at the Bundesliga club is far for certain.

He was called up by coach Carlos Dunga for the summer’s Olympic tournament, but was told by Schalke he couldn’t go. However, Rafinha has gone against the club’s wishes and travelled regardless.

Any parting of the ways at the Veltins Arena will surely awake the interest of Liverpool amongst others.

Mathew Burt

GOAL.COM

by **Toffeehater** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 12:14 pm

A straight swap deal for rafinha? arbeloa for rafinha but i think they want a bid in the reigion of 8 million and i arby wants to return to spain , so we may have to sell arby than bid for rafinha

by **metalhead** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 4:07 pm

Toffeehater wrote:A straight swap deal for rafinha? arbeloa for rafinha but i think they want a bid in the reigion of 8 million and i arby wants to return to spain , so we may have to sell arby than bid for rafinha

Yeh if we sell arby, then we need another right back, I guess Rafa wants Rafinha.

by **Redman in wales** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 4:50 pm

Benitez - Reds must sell

Liverpool boss reiterates interest in Barry

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez insists he has not abandoned plans to sign Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry, but confesses he will be forced to sell in order to raise the necessary funds.

The Reds have made no secret of their desire to land £18million-rated Barry, but Monday's big-money signing of Robbie Keane saw speculation suggest that their interest in the Villa captain had ended.

However, Benitez is adamant that is not the case and he is preparing to part with existing members of squad in order to meet Villa's valuation.

Benitez began his fundraising with the departures of John Arne Riise, Peter Crouch, Danny Guthrie and Scott Carson, and he looks set to allow others out of the Anfield exit door.

Alonso uncertainty
"We knew that we could only spend money by selling players and we have been doing this (for Keane)," said Benitez.

"We are still trying to sign the players that we need, and if we need to sell someone now, okay, we will do so.

"If we can do it (the Barry deal) before the end of the transfer window, we will continue to try. We will always continue to improve our squad."

The news could see Jermaine Pennant, Andrei Voronin or Steve Finnan head for pastures new, while Spanish midfielder Xabi Alonso's future remains uncertain.

Sky Sports

by **JoeTerp** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 5:11 pm

metalhead wrote:
Toffeehater wrote:A straight swap deal for rafinha? arbeloa for rafinha but i think they want a bid in the reigion of 8 million and i arby wants to return to spain , so we may have to sell arby than bid for rafinha

Yeh if we sell arby, then we need another right back, I guess Rafa wants Rafinha.

It might be more of a case of Arbeloa wanting to go back to Spain. Thats why I couldn't see a straight swap between the clubs happening.

by **RUSHIE#9** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 1:55 pm

There was a little snippet in the METRO free newspaper yesterday saying that Rafa is hoping to tempt Valencia to let Silva go for £15 million as they need to ease their financial troubles. I can't find any articles to back it up anywhere but if Pennants on the way and one or two others then hopefully Rafa will use that money for this deal.

by **GYBS** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 2:07 pm

From The Mail

Liverpool have drawn a line under the summer's longest-running transfer saga after finalising a £19m deal for Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry.

Fresh from concluding a £20million deal for Spurs striker Robbie Keane, the Anfield club have held further talks with Villa and The Insider understands that they have reached agreement on a £17.5m cash offer plus defender Steve Finnan.

The move is no surprise but the timing is, as Liverpool have still to sell to raise the relevant funds but know they have offers on the table for Jermaine Pennant and Yossi Benayoun.

Further interest has also been expressed in Andriy Voronin, Alvaro Arbeloa and Xabi Alonso.

Benitez made public his first bid for Aston Villa midfielder Barry in May and incurred the wrath of Villa boss Martin O'Neill.

Barry then confirmed he wanted to leave and criticised O'Neill for a lack of communication.

That outburst saw the England playmaker fined and banned by the club.

Four bids from the Reds were rejected by the midlands club, who were holding out for £18m, before Arsenal reportedly became involved in the race for the England man.

The 27-year-old, who scored 36 goals in 327 appearances for Villa, was booed when he turned out for Villa in a pre-season game but the crowd appeared fully behind him when he came on as substitute in the Intertoto Cup match against Odense last Saturday

by **Dundalk** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 2:31 pm

The agent of Yossi Benayoun has played down reports linking the midfielder with a move away from Liverpool.

The Israeli international was linked with a return to former club West Ham United in this mornings newspapers while Manchester City were also mentioned.

Liverpool have received 'a number of inquires' but no firm offers according to the Liverpool Echo, with Rafael Benitez needing to sell players in order to raise further transfer funds.

However, Benayoun's agent Ronen Katzav said: "There has been no contact or talks with any club about Yossi.

"All summer there has been speculation about Yossi, but he has a contract with Liverpool.

"I don't believe Liverpool want to sell Yossi and he is just concentrating on life at Liverpool.

"It is nice that everybody is interested in Yossi, but from our point of view he is only thinking about Liverpool."

Benayoun was signed in a £5m deal from West Ham last summer and scored eleven goals in his debut season at Anfield.

by **FANTÔMAS** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 4:10 pm

Benayoun was a good pick-up, he's a squad player and doesn't mind sitting on the bench if necessary. He's a good player, perhaps under different circumstances wouldn't even be a back up but he's worthy of a place in the first team at the time being.

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