Three benitez buys already in the bag
Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2008 1:01 amThree Benitez buys already in the bag
By Joe Bernstein - Last updated at 21:13pm on 29th March 2008
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has already lined up three new signings for the summer to underline his belief he will remain in charge whoever wins the Anfield power struggle. Benitez believes he is fireproof whoever triumphs in the ownership battle involving Tom Hicks, George Gillett and Dubaibased investment group DIC.
As the manager prepares to take on Everton in what is virtually a Champions League eliminator at Anfield today, Benitez was unusually candid.
He has money available following a refinancing package agreed by Hicks and Gillett in February. Although Gillett reopened the war of words with his co-owner this week, branding their relationship 'unworkable', Benitez seems to think it will have little impact on his job of building a title-winning team.
"We have agreements with two young players and one senior player who will be a starting XI player. That deal is already done," said a bullish Benitez. "We are also making plans for our preseason tour and talking to players here about new contracts."
Benitez has been strongly linked in Germany with Schalke's Brazilian full-back Rafinha, who is known as 'Little Rafa'. The two younger players are believed to be from South America.
Sami Hyypia and young keeper Dave Martin are in talks about new deals as Liverpool try to prove they will not stagnate because of the impasse between the American co-owners.
Significantly, though, striker Peter Crouch will not discuss a five-year deal until the summer while Jon Arne Riise and Harry Kewell have not been offered anything.
Off-the-field, Hicks, who broke off takeover talks with DIC because of what he saw as smear tactics, thinks Gillett's comments are a crude attempt to force a sale to DIC. While currently committed to paying £28 million a year in interest, Champions League football is almost a financial necessity.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages....=549651
Not the best source, but they do have Rafa's quotes. I wonder who the senior player is? Maybe Rafinha?
By Joe Bernstein - Last updated at 21:13pm on 29th March 2008
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has already lined up three new signings for the summer to underline his belief he will remain in charge whoever wins the Anfield power struggle. Benitez believes he is fireproof whoever triumphs in the ownership battle involving Tom Hicks, George Gillett and Dubaibased investment group DIC.
As the manager prepares to take on Everton in what is virtually a Champions League eliminator at Anfield today, Benitez was unusually candid.
He has money available following a refinancing package agreed by Hicks and Gillett in February. Although Gillett reopened the war of words with his co-owner this week, branding their relationship 'unworkable', Benitez seems to think it will have little impact on his job of building a title-winning team.
"We have agreements with two young players and one senior player who will be a starting XI player. That deal is already done," said a bullish Benitez. "We are also making plans for our preseason tour and talking to players here about new contracts."
Benitez has been strongly linked in Germany with Schalke's Brazilian full-back Rafinha, who is known as 'Little Rafa'. The two younger players are believed to be from South America.
Sami Hyypia and young keeper Dave Martin are in talks about new deals as Liverpool try to prove they will not stagnate because of the impasse between the American co-owners.
Significantly, though, striker Peter Crouch will not discuss a five-year deal until the summer while Jon Arne Riise and Harry Kewell have not been offered anything.
Off-the-field, Hicks, who broke off takeover talks with DIC because of what he saw as smear tactics, thinks Gillett's comments are a crude attempt to force a sale to DIC. While currently committed to paying £28 million a year in interest, Champions League football is almost a financial necessity.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages....=549651
Not the best source, but they do have Rafa's quotes. I wonder who the senior player is? Maybe Rafinha?
You forgot his first name