Liverpool Signings and General Rumours Thread

is it a done deal for Stellios?

best i can see so far is still rumours

http://skysports.planetfootball.com/list.asp?hlid=287490&lid=2&cpid=8&title=Reds+make+Stelios+bid&channel=football_home

My hunch is that Gerrard will stay, with talks just getting under way. 80k a week is 4m per year, quite a wad out of the salary budget:

Liverpool are expected to open talks with Steven Gerrard today over an extension to his contract in an effort to deflect long-standing interest from Real Madrid and Chelsea.
Gerrard, who has two years left on his contract, is due to report back with the first-team squad for training at Melwood this morning, with discussions likely to begin in the afternoon.

The 25-year-old has been confused by the delay in starting talks, though his instinct is to remain at the club he has supported since his youth. Yet the outcome of the initial round of talks may be pivotal.

"Of course I want to stay here," he has said. "I don't know how long the talks will go on for, but the sooner they start the better because I want my future sorted before the start of the new season."

Gerrard is aware of Real's interest, which prompted two telephone calls from the Spanish club's director of football Arrigo Sacchi to Rafael Benitez. Chelsea's admiration has been constant though he rejected a move to Stamford Bridge last summer. Yet Liverpool have reiterated throughout the summer that they have no intention of losing their captain.

The England midfielder will seek evidence of that in his negotiations, with Liverpool likely to offer an improved package that would take his salary beyond 80,000 a week and establish him as the highest earner in the club's history.

The delay in talks was partly due to the absence of Gerrard's agent, Struan Marshall of SFX, who has been abroad on honeymoon. The player himself has been away, and the club's chief executive Rick Parry returned from a holiday in Barbados before attending the Champions League qualifying draw in Nyon.

redspider wrote:

The Reina purchase is looking ever more likely now given that Kirkland is going out on loan, probably happening on Friday:

+
Rafael Benitez will clinch his first signing of the summer when he brings in Spanish goalkeeper Jose Reina on Friday.
Reina will arrive from Villarreal in an 8 million deal and will meet up with his new team-mates at Melwood on Monday week.
+

I would have preferred to see the 8m spent in other departments on the pitch.

A good keeper is worth its weight in gold, just look at what Cech did for chelsea last year. He wasn't needed for a lot of games but whenever he was called upon he could always be relied on and in the end was responsible just as much as lampard terry and duff for chelsea winning the league. Personally I have never seen Reina play (at least I dont think I have) but I have only read/heard good things about him. The last few seasons have seen Dudek cost liverpool too many points because of errors, unforced errors at that. If he is as good/reliable as he is made out to be then it can only be a good thing.

if its true Kuyt is coming yipee!

as for figo im not so sure he seems past it and could be a really unsettling influence in the dressing room.

but only time will tell 1 if we actualy got them and 2 how it pans out

id like figo, he could be the new Gary Mac

more likely to be the next donald trump with the stupid amount of money he's after

Bannor wrote:

Figo has had a contract offer from Liverpool for the past six months, all that remains is to see if Perez will release him from his contract with Real Madrid on Friday as he has promised to do.

From what I read in Liverpool-related articles, his salary demands are far too high, somewere around the 90k ukp a week level (above Gerrard). Liverpool seemingly are willing to pay quite a lot for his services though, somewhere around the 40k a week level. I dont think he would do well for Liverpool, as a winger in the English league needs to have a lot of pace, and thats one department where Figo is lacking as he gets older. I wouldnt pay the 40k a week level (2m per annum) for his services. He can get more money in Japan and Qatar. Perez will let him go as he is costing too much at Real.

Other news. Lyon have signed Carew for 7.7m eur. This may have a bearing on Baros who was potentially being sought by Houllier at Lyon, although I had always thought that Baros and Houllier didnt see 100% eye to eye, as Houllier, although he signed him, left him out a lot even when Baros demonstrated exceptional performances internationally. Carew ironically is an ideal front partner for Baros, as he has height and could be a great ball winner and provider for Baros. But signing two strikers would be very ambitious for Lyon, unless they have a wad in the bag coming for Essien. You can see how the dominoes go around in circles and whoever Chelsea or Real buy (eg: Essien) can have an effect on who Liverpool sell (Baros) and then buy (Kuyt).

Stelios looks like he will go to Liverpool as he has a low get-out clause at Bolton for eur 1.7m (probably 1m ukp). I would be surprised if there arent any other clubs looking at him as he has premiership credentials (ie: he can perform ok in it) and is a battling midfielder. I havent heard any rumors on his salary but for a punt of 1.7m he would be a useful addition to the squad of 23.

No word on Kewell being sold so far. I guess there are no takers. Benitez may keep him as a sub perhaps. And of course he is no doubt injured so potentially unsellable.

The transfer window I understand officially opens on July 1st. Players such as Zenden who are on frees will be able to move around then and the market should get more lively as we approach that date.

Liverpool may be looking at strikers such as Evra and Gouvou:

"The agent of France defender Patrice Evra says Liverpool made a bid for his client recently but his club Monaco were not prepared to do a deal as they were only interested in hard cash."

"Rafael Benitez is contemplating a move for Lyon forward Sidney Govou as he seeks to bolster his striking options. The Liverpool manager has grown frustrated at the lack of progress in his attempts to lure attacking targets to Anfield. Feyenoord's Dirk Kuyt remains the priority, and although the player is keen on a transfer the Dutch club would have to lower their £10million asking price before Liverpool consider making a move. Peter Crouch is the preferred alternative, but the £6m valuation of the England international by Southampton has proven prohibitive. It has meant Benitez has started to look elsewhere, with Lyon striker Govou attracting his interest. The 25-year-old has been told he will be allowed to leave the French club after helping guide them to a fourth successive title last season, scoring eight goals in 36 league games. "

The latter move for Gouvou would be a bit if a surprise especially if Lyon were sincerely interested in Baros.

It is also reported in The Times that Reina may only cost 6m. He is 22 years old seemingly compared with Dudek's 32. Btw, Kirkland cost 6m in 2001! I agree totally that the GK position is crucial, but it is a difficult position to fill as goalies can at times lose their confidence. 8m is a lot on an up and coming 22 yr old goalie. Its a bit of a gamble, and gambling in the goalie position rarely comes off, as Ferguson, Houllier and Wenger have found out.

Redspider