Uruguayan full-back in January?

As Jamie Carragher is linked to a future as coach, to lead the next generation of England internationals, Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson say he is unfazed and feels no additional pressure amidst rumours that Rafael Benitez could return as Liverpool manager.

Today's new name on the transfer radar is from Uruguay...

Jorge Fucile insists he is concentrating on his career at Porto amid ongoing reports of a winter transfer window bid from Liverpool, Sky Sports report.

Anfield manager Roy Hodgson was first linked with a £7million offer for the versatile full-back, who can play on the right or left, in the summer.

Fucile has been earning excellent reviews at Porto and he also featured in five matches as Uruguay finished fourth at the 2010 World Cup finals.

Speculation is suggesting Hodgson will renew his interest in the 26-year-old in January due to concerns over the reliability of Glen Johnson and Paul Konchesky.

Porto, who have reached the knockout stages of the Europa League, are not actively looking to sell, but they admit they will not instantly dismiss an approach for Fucile.

- It is not our intention to sell, but it is normal that we will study offers if they arrive, directors of the Portuguese club are credited as saying.

In-form Wolves midfielder Matt Jarvis is reportedly attracting the interest of Merseyside rivals Liverpool and Everton.

The former Gillingham winger has been earning rave reviews for his impressive showings this season and has inevitably become the centre of transfer speculation for the coming window, FootballFanCast claims.

It is thought that Everton boss David Moyes has sent scouts to watch Jarvis already this season and with Steven Pienaar thought to be leaving Goodison Park, Jarvis could be a perfect replacement.

However, Roy Hodgson is also thought to be a big fan of Jarvis and is set to trump Everton by offering big money to capture the Wolves midfielder in January.

Wolves also have transfer targets of their own and the sale of Jarvis could help fund big moves for Robbie Keane and Joleon Lescott.

Reported Liverpool target Adam Johnson could be on his way out of Manchester City next month.

According to the Daily Mail, Sunderland are attempting to sign the 23-year-old 'on loan' for the remainder of the season, as well tabling a bid to sign Nedum Onuoha on a permanent basis.

However, should Johnson become available, Liverpool are thought to be in the running for the England winger who has grown increasingly frustrated at his lack of regular football under Roberto Mancini.

Last month the former Middlesbrough star - who signed for City for around £11 million in January - let his frustration get the better of him, admitting he may have to leave Eastlands in order to fulfil his ambitions.

These comments placed Liverpool - and others - on red alert and offers for the highly-rated attacker are now expected in January.

The Liverpool boss is understood to have identified his attacking ranks as the most in need of reinforcement in the New Year and - along with a bid for Johnson - has been linked with moves for Aston Villa ace Ashley Young and Spurs flop David Bentley.

It is widely tipped that Christian Poulsen will be leaving Anfield in January. Now Liverpool are ready to offer the Danish player to bottom side West Ham in a swap deal for the Hammers’ vice-captain Scott Parker, according to reports.

West Ham, who are currently sitting at the tail end of the Barclays Premier League, are reportedly interested in taking flop Poulsen to Upton Park in a cut price deal.

However Liverpool, who are keen to offload the former Juventus midfielder, will only sell if they can find a replacement for the Dane.

And Parker, who has been linked with Liverpool earlier in the season, would be the perfect alternative – and the player would relish the chance to play at a higher level in the Europa League.

Liverpool to sign World Cup star?

It seems Daniel Pacheco might be on his way out of Anfiled.

According to The Independent Liverpool is ready to reduce their wage bill in January with the 19-year-old Spaniard considered among those manager Roy Hodgson may be prepared to lose.
This seems odd, given that the Reds the next period will focus on young talent...

Liverpool apparently are ready to sign Ghana World Cup star Anthony Annan, and sign him for just £6 million, according to Goal.com.

Annan impressed in South Africa and looked certain for a move to the Premier League during the summer but no offers were forthcoming. Manchester United were the most prevalent team interested in the 24-year-old and Annan admitted he would jump at the chance to move to Old Trafford.

However, now Sir Alex Ferguson’s interest has blown hot and cold, after the Scot revealed he did not want to bring any more new signings to Manchester United in January, plus the fact Annan is cup-tied for the Champions League matches, and Liverpool have moved into pole position.

The Anfield side have already drawn up a shortlist of potential targets for the forthcoming transfer window and Annan, along with Saint Etienne’s holding midfielder Yann M’Vila, is heading that list.

Roy Hodgson is now expected to fly to Norway and watch the Rosenborg ace as speculation of Annan being Christian Poulsen’s replacement at Anfield.

Liverpool’s new director of football strategy Damian Comolli is thought to have alerted Hodgson to Annan’s availability and the relatively low transfer fee would enable the club’s new owners to bring another, more expensive, world class player to Anfield as well.

An earlier reported transfer target is German striker Mario Gomez.

The Reds were keen on a loan deal for striker in the summer and are still keen to find support for Fernando Torres this winter. 

According to The Daily Mail Liverpool will face competition from Juventus if Roy Hodgson renews interest in Germany international Mario Gomez when the transfer window opens.

It remains to be seen whether Liverpool are still on Gomez’s trail. The takeover by NESV has brought greater funds, while the appointment of Damien Comolli as director of football strategy has already led to alternative players being scouted.

Liverpool also according to Live4Liverpool is interested in FC Basel midfielder Valentin Stocker. 

His agent Marco Balmelli has told TMW that Liverpool are interested in the Swiss winger:

- Liverpool? Yes, with the English club I have had contact. How much? Five to six million euro. Valentin is good technically, can play multiple roles, both on the wing and the centre, said his agent.

Stocker is only 21 but has already made seven appearances for Switzerland, scoring 3 goals.

Manchester City winger Adam Johnson is allegedly on Liverpool's radar.

The England Player is reportedly weighing up his options at Eastlands after failing to hold onto a regular spot in Roberto Mancini's starting XI.

- Every footballer has to think about it when the time comes. It is still early but I definitely would consider [leaving], Johnson told the Telegraph.

Johnson joined City from Middlesbrough last January for around £11 million and has since found himself become an increasingly influential player in the England set-up.

And now, according to Metro, Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson is monitoring Johnson's situation at City with a view to making a move for the midfielder in January.

Liverpool owners NESV are keen to invest in young talent in the New Year and, at 23-years-old, Johnson certainly has a bright future ahead of him.

 

Whether Liverpool will launch a bid for Johnson in the New Year remains to be seen, but it is sure to be a busy January at Anfield as Hodgson and NESV look to continue the rebuilding job on Merseyside.

Hva skjer med Alonso?

Xabi går likevel? Ny Middlesbrough-ving linkes. Dossena erstattes av landsmann? Morsomme øyeblikk.

Til tross for at Rafa Benitez går ut og sier Xabi Alonso ikke er til salgs, hevder altså den vanligvis godt informerte fotballskribenten Guillem Balague at Real Madrid godt kan bli neste stoppested for spanjolen.

Samtidig blir Alonso igjen også linket til Arsenal, der lagkamerat fra det spanske landslaget Cesc Fabregas oppmuntrer Arsene Wenger til å hente landsmannen.

Det har i dag også dukket opp et par nye navn på transferradaren. Igjen blir en Middlesbrough-spiller satt i sammenheng med en overgang til Anfield, men denne gang er det ikke Stewart Downing, men Englands U21-ving Adam Johnson som skal være aktuell, i følge The Daily Express.

Johnson har bare ett år igjen av kontrakten med laget som rykket ned og kan trolig komme relativt billig. Han spiller vanligvis venstreving på Boro, men kan også spille på andre siden av midtbanen.

Men det er ikke bare midtbanen som får forslag til forsterkninger fra pressen. Også i forsvaret kan det være endringer på gang. I følge Goal.com kan Andrea Dossena bli erstattet av en annen italiener på Anfield.

Juventus er interessert i å hente Dossena tilbake til Anfield og nettstedet melder at Den Gamle Dame kan komme til å sende den 22 år gamle spilleren Paolo De Ceglie i retur. Ceglie er fast på venstrebacken på Italias U23-lag og skal være et stort talent, som også kan spille på midtbanen.

Og til slutt noen morsomme øyeblikk fra sesongen som gikk.

VIDEO: Morsomme øyeblikk.

Boro-ving linkes

Ung Middlesbrough-ving til Merseyside? Voronin til London? Benitez får full kontroll?

I følge søndagsutgaven av The Mirror ønsker Liverpool å hente Middlesbroughs ving Adam Johnson. Men Liverpool vil få konkurranse fra Manchester United om underskriften til kantspilleren.

Johnson, som blir 22 år i juni, er opprinnelig venstreving, og er et av talentene utviklet i Middlesbroughs eget ungdomsakademi. Han kan også brukes med hell på høyre side. Men Boromanager Gareth Southgate, som også trolig mister Stewart Downing kommende sommer, ønsker å beholde sin egenproduserte spiller.

Dersom Boro rykker ned vil det imidlertid ikke være tvil om at en taltentfull spiller av Johnsons kaliber må få gå, og da vil budene trolig starte på omkring £10m-£12m.

Det har kommet mange historier om vår utlånte spiss Andriy Voronin de siste dagene. Spesielt etter at han scoret to mål mot Bayern Munchen denne helga.

Først ble det hevdet at Voronin ønsket å komme tilbake til Anfield, for å erstatte Robbie Keane. Men nå skal han ha åpnet samtaler med Hertha Berlin om å få fortsette låneoppholdet der.

VIDEO: Se Voronin-målene her!


Nå skal Harry Redknapp i Tottenham ha lagt sine sultne øyne på ham og skal ønske å kjøpe ukraineren til London kommende sommer. Redknapp skal i følge FansFC være villig til å gi £5m for spilleren som kom gratis til Liverpool i 2007.

Rafa Benitez' kontraktssituasjon ser ut til å kunne bli løst denne uka. I følge en interessant artikkel i The Times, skal Rafa ha overtalt Hicks og Gillett til å gi ham kontroll over transferbudsjettet, men venter ennå på å få innfridd et ønske om også å kontrollere ungdomsakademiet. Benitez har imidlertid ventet såvidt lenge på å få kontrakten sin på plass, at det virker som han godt kan vente en stund til, for å få det som han vil der også.

I følge The Mirror sier en kilde:

- Alle problemer er nå blitt løst og kontrakten vil bli signert i løpet av noen dager.

Dette er innlegg nummer 480 på denne bloggen, og for to dager siden hadde Murphys Liverpool 2 årsdag! HURRA!