This summers 'marquee' siging?

Okey, so I've been away from the blog for quite a while. I was tired of it and there has been to much to do around the house.
But for the last few days I've been eager to get back to writing about rumours and gossip from the Silly Season that has just begun.

One transfer even got through the Shankly Gates before I got back to the keyboard. Today it was confirmed on Sunderlands website that the club have agreed a fee with Liverpool for the transfer of Jordan Henderson.

Check out Henderson arriving at Melwood:


Reports say the price is about £16m with add on installments, and that David Ngog is going the other way.

But who's the next player coming in?

The Daily Mail claims the next player on King Kenny's list is Charlie Adam, one of the most reported Liverpool transfer targets during the january window.

He is to be followed by Blackburn's talented defender Phil Jones. In addition Ipswichs Conor Wickham is, according to the paper, to be found at Anfield come august.

Earlier reports say Liverpool have theire fingers in the italian club Roma for goalkeeper Alexander Doni. According to Football Italia Sky Sport 24 makes the claim, adding that it is now up to the Brazilian whether to accept the move or not.

This has today been confirmed by his agent Ovidio Colucci, The Daily Telegraph reports.

Allt this is well and good, with young british talents and an experienced backup keeper for Pepe Reina. But where is the 'marquee' signing of the summer? The player that can go straight into the first 11 and strengthen the squad? That has the experience to change the game?

In may Guillem Balague reported an intrest from Liverpool for Valencias Juan Mata, with a reported price tag of about £25-30m.

Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool have contacted Mata`s representative (his father) and the trio have all expressed varying degrees of interest in the player`s situation. Mata`s new contract contains a buy out clause of €60 million, but that will always be negotiable if both the player and the club are willing to listen to offers, Balague writes.

More to follow... guaranteed!

Bundesliga striker linked with Liverpool transfer

Here is a summary of the last day's most interesting transfer rumours:

Freiburg's star striker Papiss Demba Cisse admits Liverpool are a 'dream club', but he is happy at Badenova-Stadion, Sky Sports reports.

The Senegal international has been linked with a move to Anfield, despite the signings of Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll, while Fulham and Birmingham were also reported to be considering a bid last summer.

Cisse has scored 16 goals in the Bundesliga this campaign to also attract interest from within Germany, although Wolfsburg were not prepared to meet Freiburg's reported valuation of £12.5million in the January transfer window.

The 25-year-old has said in the past that he is committed to his current club, but he has also admitted his admiration for Liverpool after watching compatriots El Hadji Diouf and Salif Diao move to Merseyside in 2002.

Cisse said when asked about reported interest from Anfield:

- I am delighted with my season.

- Liverpool is a dream club. Salif Diao and El Hadji Diouf have played there. But to be honest I am happy here at the moment.

- But you never know in football. Things can develop quickly.

The Honduran Celtic player Emilio Izaguirre has seen his profile rise quite dramatically this season, and is apparently a Liverpool summer target.

It is no wonder that Liverpool are alleged to be monitoring the defender, who has now been compared to Tottenham whiz Gareth Bale by Parkhead teammate Joe Ledley, GiveMeFootball reports.

- They are similar, said Ledley – an international teammate of Bale’s – when asked about the similarities.

- I have played with both of them and both have qualities.

- Gareth Bale is one of the best players in the world at the moment.

- Emilio is quick, good on the ball, has composure and has a good cross in him.

- It’s great to have him at the club and hopefully we can keep him.

The Daily Mail reported last week that Liverpool were keeping tabs on the 24-year-old and the Anfield club have been tipped to launch a summer move.

Click Liverpool has since reported that Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish was at Ibrox two weeks ago to watch Izaguirre in action in the Old Firm derby and Celtic are now said to be willing to consider bids in the region of £8 million for the Honduras international.

Liverpool target Moussa Sissoko has revealed his desire to play in the Barclays Premier League, although he is currently content with continuing his development at Toulouse.

The 21-year-old has grown into an integral member of Toulouse's side since being handed his debut four years ago and his commanding displays in Ligue 1 have seen him marked out as a future star.

A tough-tackling midfielder, Sissoko is a full France international and continues to attract interest from potential suitors, with Liverpool known to have been monitoring his progress, GiveMeFootball reports.

The Parisian admits to being flattered by the interest Liverpool have shown in his signature and - while continuing to harbour ambitions of a move to England - Sissoko is fully focused on life in France.

- I would be delighted if one day I am lucky to join a big English club, he told France Football.

- But I don't think about it so far. I had contacts with English clubs, notably Liverpool, but I preferred to commit myself to Toulouse, the club where I have been educated, to get more experience.

But Liverpool is not the only club following the France international. It has also been reported that Manchester United are eyeing Toulouse midfielder Sissoko.

But according to the Daily Mail Liverpool are poised to beat Tottenham and Manchester United to the signing of the France midfielder.

One player that came close to a Liverpool transfer in January is Blackpools Charlie Adam.

Now it is being claimed that he will reject a move to Tottenham in order to secure a switch to Liverpool.

Now, according to The People, Adam is hoping to land a 'dream' move to Liverpool in the summer and is prepared to snub Tottenham's advances to realise his Anfield ambition.

The 25-year-old handed in a transfer request last month in an attempt to force a transfer to Anfield after Liverpool had an offer rejected by Blackpool put the Seasiders stood firm.

Despite the persistence of Liverpool director of football strategy, Damien Comolli, the Reds never came close to Blackpool’s valuation of Adam – believed to be around £10 million – but Spurs did match the price on the head of the ex-Rangers midfielder.

Spurs, however, registered their interest too late - reportedly missing out by a number of minutes - but the White Hart Lane club are expected to reignite their interest when the transfer window reopens.

It has been reported that Blackpool will sell Adam in the summer - even if they remain in the Barclays Premier League - and Liverpool and Spurs are unlikely to be the only clubs interested in his signature.

Another player that is back on the radar is Barcelona striker Bojan Krikic.

The 21-year-old currently finds himself on the fringes of the Barca first team and appears to have little chance of displacing free-scoring trio Lionel Messi, David Villa and Pedro in Pep Guardiola's first choice XI.

Bojan has started just six times for the Catalan giants this season and speculation surrounding his future at the Nou Camp has increased in recent weeks with Liverpool reported to be pursuing his signature.

Spanish publication Sport initially claimed that Liverpool were considering a €20 million summer move for the out-of-favour Spaniard and El Mundo Deportivo has since alleged that Spurs and Arsenal are also interested.

Now, according to Marca, Liverpool director of football strategy Damien Comolli is 'confident' that he can convince Barca to allow Bojan to move to Anfield with a season-long loan deal now being suggested, GiveMeFootball reports.

Liverpool are known the be in the market for attacking reinforcements and the deal for Bojan wold represent quite a coup for the Anfield club.

Copenhagen defender Oscar Wendt is a summer transfer target for Liverpool reports talkSPORT.

Reports in Sweden claim the 25-year-old international left-back currently tops the list of proposed replacements for Kenny Dalglish’s well known problem position after a series of impressive performances in the Champions League this season.

Wendt has also earned rave reviews in the Danish Superliga which has attracted the attention of other European heavyweights Bayern Munich and Barcelona, but Liverpool remain optimistic of bringing the player to Anfield.

The super Swede is available on a free transfer at the end of the current campaign when his Copenhagen contract expires, and as a result Wendt is free to sign a pre-contract agreement with any club he wishes.

Three links and two surprises

Liverpool football chief Damien Comolli's position is apparently coming under intense scrutiny.

The Daily Mail says, when Kenny Dalglish is confirmed as the permanent Liverpool manager, insiders are standing by for a power battle with director of football strategy Comolli. Dalglish has an old-school managerial attitude of liking to be in sole command, the paper claims.

So how he copes with Comolli will be an intriguing sub-plot, especially as Dalglish has expert knowledge himself of European football.

With, or without him, the club will be looking for reinforcement this summer, and these might be some of them...

Liverpool's search for young British talent has seen them monitor Preston North End's Adam Barton, reports the Daily Mail.

The 20-year-old is currently plying his trade at the foot of the Championship but his displays have attracted the attentions of scouts from Anfield. The Merseysiders have watched him several times this season in his attempts to stave off relegation for the Lancashire club and are mulling over a summer move for the player.

Barton, a Blackburn-born Northern Ireland international, could be set to become the next youthful addition to the squad as manager Kenny Dalglish looks to bolster his midfield options.

He is valued at £2.5m.

The Mail also reports that Liverpool are weighing up a summer bid for Barcelona forward Ibrahim Afelay, according to reports in Spain.

Affelay joined the Catalan giants from PSV for a cut-price £1.85m in January after the Dutch side faced up to losing Affelay on a free transfer in June, but he has struggled to make an impact at the Nou Camp.

And Liverpool have emerged as front-runners to sign the 24-year-old Holland international, with the Reds said to be preparing a £8.5m bid, according to Spanish daily AS.

Liverpool are weighing up a move for Lyon's Michel Bastos.

Manager Kenny Dalglish's priority in the transfer market is acquiring a left back with the position becoming something of a problem for the Merseyside club.

Emiliano Insua was shipped out last summer after failing to find any consistency while Paul Konchesky's six months at Anfield was an unmitigated disaster and he was eventually loaned out to Championship promotion hopefuls, Nottingham Forest. Glen Johnson has been filling in admirably despite ostensibly being a right back and a specialist is wanted to patrol that area effectively.

Several names have been mentioned but one that is slowly rising to the top of the list is Bastos, Sportingo reports.

The 27-year-old has impressed French observers since arriving in Ligue 1 in 2006 where he became a fixture for Lille, scoring and setting up goals from left back. An €18m move to Lyon in 2009 has given him the chance to showcase his talents to a Europe-wide audience in the Champions League and his displays have caught the eye of many.

The most surprising report the last days is one of John Arne Riise, that might move back to Merseyside.

It seems that 30 year old defender John Arne Riise could move back to Liverpool at the end of the season, though the Norwegian international seems attracted by the idea to end his career in the U.S. Footballpress.net reports.

And - by the way - could this be our next away shirt?

Wing wonder wants Liverpool move

Reports keeps coming that Liverpool allready have agreed the signing of Rennes winger Sylvain Marveaux on a pre-contract agreement.

Marveaux has already revealed that he will depart Rennes in the summer after 10 years at the club, with many reports suggesting that he has already agreed to join Kenny Dalglish’s Liverpool revolution.

Marveaux was heavily tipped for a January move and another player that has been mentioned regularly the last couple of years is Galatasaray’s highly regarded attacker Arda Turan.

According to several reports Liverpool will this summer hope to lure him to Merseyside. Kenny Dalglish and Damien Comolli have earmarked a move for the adaptable playmaker as they seek to bring in effective creative options to help boost the club’s attacking prowess.

On the subject of a possible move to Liverpool the pint sized Turkish international has made it clear he would be very interested by stating “As I always mention, Liverpool attracts me because of their tradition. In Europe, I am a Liverpool supporter, so if I go to play in Europe, I would like to play for them”, Caughtoffside reports.

Also linked with the likes of Chelsea and Spurs, the lithe Turkish midfielder is one of the most highly-regarded prospects in Europe and would surely be a welcome addition to the English game.

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Galatasary are reportedly ready to listen to offers for his services when the transfer reopens in June and his agent suggests a summer move is a distinct possibility.

“He can only go to one of the top five clubs in the Premier League," said Ahmet Bulut, according to the Daily Star. "If he gets an offer from one of them, then of course he will want to play there”.

Another name that keeps coming back is that of Ibrahim Afellay.

Liverpool are, according to TalkSport, keeping an eye on his situation at Barcelona, with the Dutchman struggling to make an impression at the Nou Camp.

Afellay moved to Barcelona in January having been coveted by Liverpool, Everton and Arsenal, but opted to go to Spain.

But he has since failed to break into Pep Guardiola's team and has not made a single appearance in La Liga.

Liverpool are monitoring Afellay and will tempt him with an offer this summer if he fails to turn his fortunes around, TalkSport claims.

Elsewhere, highly rated Feyenoord winger Georginio Wijnaldum is a transfer target for Liverpool reports insidefutbol.com.

The 20-year-old midfielder is one of the hottest prospects in Eredivisie and has attracted the attention of a number of leading European clubs including AC Milan, and Real Madrid.

But it is Liverpool who have registered the firmest interest with sources in the Dutch media claiming Anfield scouts were in the stands to watch the Feyenoord ace in action against Heracles in a recent league encounter.

"To follow in the footsteps of Dirk Kuyt would be sensational. He triumphed at Feyenoord and has had great success at Liverpool", he said last year.

Wijnaldum is a product of the youth system at De Kuip and made his senior debut for the outfit as a teenager back in 2007.

Lille striker back on the LFC radar

It has today become clear that the former owner of Liverpool, has not won the legal battle to seek damages over the sale of the Premier League team in the USA.

Any claim for damages will, as it stands, still have to be carried out through the British courts system.

One of the hottest January transfer targets is back on the radar....

It appears Liverpool are lining up a £10m move for Lille attacker Gervinho this summer.

The Ivorian has 18 months to run on his contract, and Lille feel now is the right time to cash in on their 23-year-old star, TalkSport claims.

Liverpool director of football strategy Damien Comolli made a personal trip to France at the weekend, with his sights set on an Ivorian striker.

Comolli attended the Toulouse v Lille match in Ligue 1, with reports in the French media claiming the Liverpool chief was monitoring the striker.
 
A source close to Gervinho has confirmed Liverpool interest:

- He has been watched and there is interest from Liverpool. We will have to wait until the summer to see what happens.

A host of Premier League clubs including Tottenham and Newcastle are also thought to be in the market for Gervinho.

Gervinho has also been heavily linked with a move to the Emirates in the past, with Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger reportedly considering a move for the player in the summer.

Dalglish is keen to continue strengthening in several core positions at Anfield, and despite spending big money on two forwards is thought to be in the market again for another striker.

Another name that has been mentioned before is Ghana midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng. He has now emerged as a summer transfer targets according to reports in both the Italian and English press, according to Kickoff.com.

Reports say Liverpool have made an informal offer for the 23-year-old midfielder with a view to a £12.5million transfer.

But any deal to take the Ghanaian to Anfield will be complicated. Boateng is jointly-owned by Genoa and Milan and the Milan giants are not keen on selling him.

It was current Liverpool Director of Football Damien Comoli, who instigated the deal that took Boateng to Tottenham Hotspur from Hertha Berlin.

Boateng spent two frustrating seasons at White Hart Lane before moving on to Portsmouth.

Talksport claims Tottenham and Liverpool have been put on red alert after Wolfsburg revealed they are willing to sell highly-rated Danish defender Simon Kjær in the summer.

The 21-year-old has received rave reviews for his performances in the Bundesliga this season and has earned 15 caps for Denmark.

Reports in the German press claim Liverpool had a bid turned down by Wolfsburg in the January transfer window, but the Reds and Spurs are still monitoring the £10m-rated centre-back.

It is thought that Steve McClaren's old club will use the money to try to sign Werder Bremen defender Per Mertesacker as a replacement.

And it might happen, like the TransferTavern claims that Martin Skrtel might be on his way out.

A replacement for Konchesky in the summer?

As Paul Konchesky is out on loan with Nottingham Forest and Glen Johnson is playing out of position, Liverpool most likely will be looking for a new left back in the summer.

Today's most mentioned transfer rumour involving Liverpool FC, is without a doubt Newcastle United defender Jose Enrique.

According to the Daily Mirror, Liverpool Director of Football Strategy Damien Comolli was at Ewood Park to watch the left back in Newcastle’s 0-0 draw with Blackburn Rovers. The Spanish defender’s contract is up at the end of the seaon, the paper claims.

However, Magpies fansite newcastleunited-mad.co.uk say talks to extend a contract, which will have only 12 months left to run at the end of the season, have been postponed at the player’s request.

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Magpies boss Alan Pardew has admitted that talks have stalled over a new deal:

- Jose’s situation is simple: he’s made it clear that he won’t talk to us until we’re safe. What are we now, 32 points? Well we’re not safe, are we? So that makes the situation clear and, to be honest, it makes a lot of sense for both him and us, he tells the Mail.

- He is an outstanding player and we know that. He is an important player for this team because a lot of our play goes through him. He is involved in a lot of the good stuff that we do and I thought he was superb (against Blackburn). In terms of technique and impact, I thought he was the best player on the pitch by some distance.

Comolli will be looking for a player to fill Liverpool’s problem position at left back and the Reds may trouble Newcastle again in the summer after purchasing Andy Carroll for £35m.

Enríque has previously stated he would like to spend the rest of his career at Newcastle – but so did Andy Carroll.

Elsewhere, apparently Liverpool are preparing an £8m bid for Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge as the Merseyside club looks to further strengthen their strike-force.

The England Under 21 international is currently on loan at Bolton and has impressed with his opening performances for the Trotters, netting three goals in his first three matches.

Having already brought in Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez, boss Kenny Dalglish and Director of Football Damien Comolli are keen to bring in further youthful additions as the club plans for the future and Liverpool were said to be close to bringing in the youngster as part of the deal that saw Fernando Torres join Chelsea and will return to the West London club in order to land Sturridge in the summer, Caughtoffside reports.

The former Manchester City man has made just one Premier League start for the Blues and after his spell at Bolton comes to a close the youngster will be reticent to sit back on the Chelsea bench, biding his time waiting for his team-mates to fall prey to injury or loss of form to propel him into Carlo Ancelotti’s first team plans.

If an offer came in for the Birmingham born 21 year old then Chelsea may not stand in the way of a sale of a player who is very much a bit part player at the club.

Two winger options for the summer?

In the summer it is highly likely Liverpool will look for options on the wings. Especially with Caroll's presence in the middle, and his height, the passes from  the sides will be crucial.

Right now the two most likely options seems to be Ashley Young on the right and Sylvain Marveaux for the left.

The Aston Villa winger however has other suitors aswell. Manchester United will return for the Villa winger after having a £15m bid rejected last month, The Mirror reports today.

Young has been linked with a transfer to Liverpool for a long time, starting last summer, but “We had an interest in one player and I thought we had a chance of bringing him in, but the other parties involved were not ready and so we have put it away until the summer”, Ferguson told the paper.

Youngs contract runs out in 2012 and he is balking at signing a new deal.

Marveaux was heavily linked with a move to Merseyside in the January window, and his name keeps on being mentioned for the future.

The prospect of signing one of the most exciting talents on a Bosman alerted a lot of clubs including Liverpool, Chelsea and Newcastle.

However, Marveaux was believed to be preferring a move to Anfield. His attendance at Anfield for the match against Wolves in the beginning of January had led most people to believe that he is set to sign on the dotted line for Liverpool, according to The Bleacher Report.

Reports are emerging that Damien Comolli has just concluded talks and a pre-contract for Marveaux joining Liverpool in July has been agreed upon, they claim.

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti also was rumoured to be lining up the Rennes winger Sylvain Marveaux to replace Florent Malouda next season.


The 24 year-old is currently injured, but his great record of 10 goals from the wing for Rennes last seaso.

It is believed that, despite signing Marveaux, Liverpool would go for Ashley Young in the summer along with signings in defense (especially a left-back) and a central midfielder.

Liverpool to renew interest in Real Madrid striker?

After the draw against Wigan Kenny Dalglish blamed the internationals for his tired Liverpool.

There is little doubt the club is going to reinforce it's squad in the summer, and today there is one very exciting rumour appearing.

Liverpool reportedly had a bid turned down for Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema late on deadline day.

Despite playing regularly for Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid, Karim Benzema has struggled for form this season and has been linked with a move away in the summer to either Aston Villa or Manchester United.

Benzema was unable to leave the Bernabau in January after Real Madrid’s injury crisis left the young French forward as the club's only recognised fit striker at the club.

After Madrid signed Manchester City’s Emmanuel Adebayor to ease their striker crisis it is thought that the club were willing to let the former Lyon forward leave, only for time constraints to stop Liverpool from pushing the deal through.

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Although Liverpool were able to sign Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez on deadline day, it is thought the club are still likely to renew their interest in Benzema as the club's new owner, John W. Henry, is keen to see the Merseyside club once again challenging for top honours, Goal.com claims.

Elsewhere, Marseille defender Taye Taiwo has revealed that he is ready to quit the French club after refusing to sign a new contract with the Champions League club.

The Nigerian international will be available on a free transfer at the end of the season, putting Liverpool and Tottenham on high alert as the Premier League clubs search for a talented left-back, Sportsvibe claims.

The 25-year-old has drawn interest from a number of clubs due to his impressive performances in Ligue 1 where he has scored three goals in 16 league appearances.    

Taiwo will draw even more interest now that it is apparent there will be no transfer fee involved, although it is claimed that he is already in talks with a European club.

- I have made the decision not to sign a contract extension. I want to change clubs in June, Taiwo told The Nation.

- My agent and I are in advanced talks with a club from one of Europe's top three leagues and I expect to reach an agreement in the near future.

First summer transfer secured?

A report claims Liverpool's first summer signing may already be secured...

According to the FootballTransferTavern, Liverpool appear to have won the race to sign Sylvain Marveaux after Comolli reached a successful ending to talks over the weekend.

The Frenchman is available on a free after his current contract is due to expire with his current club Rennes. He will become a Liverpool player come July 1st.

Marveaux was widely tipped to make the transfer in January, but nothing happened.

The transfer will represent quite a coup for Comolli and Liverpool as they managed to fight off a number of top Premiership and European clubs for his signature. Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal have all had the player watched in the past but it is believed Liverpool is the players preferred destination.

The international can play in a number of positions including left back and through the middle of midfield but it is on the left wing where the player feels most comfortable. It is hoped the 24 yr old can provide the width Liverpool so desperately need, quick and a good crosser of the ball, he is seen as an ideal threat to assist Suarez and Carroll.