Would prefer Baines or Enrique. Don’t reall rate Clichy. Coentrao is class from what I’ve seen of him but I reckon we could get Enrique and Parker for that kind of money.
25 million is a lot of money to be spending on a left back.
Coentrao (does he have a funny squiggle over the o? I suspect he might and I’d like to know how to type that if he does) is indeed class from my sightings of him. I think he can play further forward too so he would be an attacking option as well but, depending on how much Liverpool are spending this summer, it does look like a fairly large fee to be spending on one position.
McCarthy looks to be on his way.
Liverpool are closing in on making James McCarthy their first summer signing after the midfielder told Wigan Athletic he has his heart set on a move to Anfield, Goal.com can reveal.
Kenny Dalglish is a huge admirer of the 20-year-old and the Reds are believed to be willing to spend as much as £10 million to land one of the brightest prospects in the Premier League.
Chelsea are also understood to have registered an interest in McCarthy but Goal.com understands the player has told Wigan executives he wants them to reach an agreement with Liverpool.
Wigan had initially asked for £16m for the Republic of Ireland international but there have been indications that they are now ready to soften their stance, with manager Roberto Martinez promised he can re-invest money raised from player sales.
“It is 90 per cent done, all sides now seem to accept it is going to happen and it’s a matter of everyone trying to get the best deal,” a source close to the talks told Goal.com.
McCarthy turned down a move to Merseyside before joining Wigan for £1.2m from Scottish side Hamilton Academical in 2009 as he felt regular football would be better for his development. He now believes he has proven he is ready to take the next step and leave the DW Stadium.
McCarthy is under contract until 2014 but Wigan are regarded as a selling club by other English sides following the high profile transfers of Antonio Valencia and Wilson Palacios to Manchester United and Tottenham respectively.
While the Latics’ financial game plan is based on selling players for a huge project, Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group want to build a squad based on the best young British talent.
McCarthy, who was born in Glasgow and can play either centrally or wide, fits that billing and Reds director of football Damien Comolli agrees with Dalglish that he will be a star of the future.
“Liverpool have shown the most interest for quite a while and have convinced him that it will be the best move to fulfil his potential,” the source added. “Being a Glaswegian from a Celtic-supporting family, working with Dalglish is obviously a big factor as well.”
Anfield legend Dalglish took over from Roy Hodgson in January and is planning significant moves in the summer transfer market after signing a three-year contract last month.
Along with Comolli, the club have identified a number of targets as they look to bolster the squad by signing at least two wide men, a central midfielder, a left-back and a centre-back.
Aston Villa star Ashley Young is their No.1 target as Dalglish looks to bring in a new winger, with Sylvain Marveaux also expected to arrive from Rennes on a free transfer. The Reds have also registered an interest in £20m-rated Eden Hazard, the attacking midfielder at Lille who is a target for a number of leading European clubs.
Liverpool have shown a strong interest in Bolton centre-back Gary Cahill and Blackburn’s Phil Jones, while Newcastle star Jose Enrique is their first choice left-back.
It was a nice bit of business from Wigan to get him first day, because barring a disaster his value was always going to shoot up if he held his own in the Premiership at that age.
Not the most convincing of articles. Their source is a “source.”
Yeah I know, but what have they to gain from making it up, which indicates that their source may actually exist.
Unless Martinez is up to his old tricks in some way.
It’s from goal.com farmer,that’s what they do for a living.
Benfica defender Fabio Coentrao has revealed he wants to join Real Madrid - quashing reports in the Portuguese press today he has signed a deal with Liverpool.
Tabloid newspaper Correio da Manha had claimed the left-back had agreed a big-money deal with the Merseyside club, however the 23-year-old has expressed his desire to seal a switch to the Bernabeu.
Speaking at a training camp in Portugal, Coentrao said: "What I want is to play for Real Madrid. It is the best club in the world and the only place I would leave Benfica for.
"Madrid has the best players in the world and I have many friends there. Nothing has been done but I hope the signing will go ahead.
“Benfica understand my decision and I intend to make it a good deal for them. I will be grateful to them all my life.”
Coentrao’s decision to leave Portugal has been in-part fuelled by the influence of his international team-mates already playing for Real, including Cristiano Ronaldo and Ricardo Carvalho.
“Of course I have spoken to Cristiano, Pepe and Carvalho. I’m still a Benfica player but my interest is to sign for Madrid.”
Read that earlier and wasn’t too put out. We’ve made a derisory offer for Enrique it seems.
Reports are saying Liverpool have signed Sylvian Marveaux (winger) on a free from Rennes…
Gago from Real now being linked to Liverpool.
I can’t say I know a lot about him. Spanish footballer followers - how would ye rate him?
Poor man’s Ever Banega
Under going a medical apparently
Totti mate, know anything about this guy?
Udinese defender Cristian Zapata has revealed that he is close to agreeing a deal with Liverpool.
The Colombia international is rated as one of the best defenders in Serie A and he played a major role in helping them into the UEFA Champions League next season.
He is currently back in South America preparing for the Copa America, but he has revealed that he is in talks about leaving Italy.
The 24-year-old has stated that Liverpool and Bayern Munich have both made moves for his signature, but he admits that he is close to sealing a switch to Anfield.
Asked about his future by La FM, he said: "I do not know what to say, I can say that I am very close to Liverpool.
"At the end of the Copa America, we will see what happens with my future.
“I have gained experience, but the time has come for me to make the jump to a big team.”
Zapata, who has been with Udinese for four years, plays in central defence but is also capable of playing in either full-back position.
A previous target of Arsenal, Zapata currently has two years left on his contract at the Stade Friuli
Think he’s a good player but I’d sometimes be a bit concerned that he’s not at home in the centre or at right back. The likes of Puyol and Maldini have been able to play those two positions but the footballing world is littered with guys like Carragher, O’Shea, Mulgrew who end up being masters of neither position and don’t develop into specialists.
A bit harsh on Carragher there. He had a couple of excellent seasons for Liverpool in central defence, including one where he was vital to the winning of a Champions League. Granted he is on the wain now but he is a much better centre half than he was ever a full back.
Lillian Thuram is another that fits into the Puyol and Maldini category.
[quote=“farmerinthecity, post: 587316”]
A bit harsh on Carragher there. He had a couple of excellent seasons for Liverpool in central defence, including one where he was vital to the winning of a Champions League. Granted he is on the wain now but he is a much better centre half than he was ever a full back.[/quote]
Incorrect. His defending for Liverpool’s third goal in the CL final they won was comedic.
Correct.
Liverpool were attacking for their third goal in that final as I recall.
That was a penalty mate.
Whatever they have given you in that hospital is obviously affecting your thought process.