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.

Serie A playmaker on Liverpool's transfer radar

Pepe Reina today gives a hint that he could swap Liverpool for Manchester United in the future if the Reds continue to struggle.

- Van der Sar will hang up his gloves in the summer so of course [United] are looking. I can't do anything. I can't say anything logically as I have a contract with Liverpool, is his quite surprising statement.

To Murphy, loosing Pepe Reina to Manchester United, would almost be a bigger blow than the Torres transfer to Chelsea.

Reina is one of the worlds best goalkeepers and has won loads of points for Liverpool. It would break our red hearts!

Liverpool are thought to have competition in the race to sign Slovenian playmaker Josip Ilicic, GiveMeFootball claims.

The 23-year-old Palermo star has been linked with a number of Barclays Premier League teams as his stock continues to rise in Italy, with Liverpool thought to be one of the clubs keen to bring the player to England.

Chelsea have also tracked the player in the past, but now Italian sources claim Spurs are keen to bring the player to White Hart Lane.

- I have not had any contact with Tottenham chiefs, although it is indisputable that the player would like the English club, agent Armir Ruznic told reterete24.it.

Liverpool are thought to be one of those clubs, with director of football strategy at Anfield, Damien Comolli, thought to be impressed by the attacking youngsters ability.

January Liverpool transfer target Charlie Adam today insists that ambition and not money will be the driving force when he eventually leaves Blackpool.

The Scotland midfielder is expected to be sold in the summer after handing in a transfer request last month and seeing Blackpool turn down offers from Liverpool, Tottenham and Aston Villa, The Daily Mail reports.

- Maybe the jump in money would have been enormous but if you're a real footballer, you are here to play football. For me, it's all about playing at football and playing at massive clubs, he tells the paper.

- I don't worry about moving to a bigger club and not getting a game. If these big clubs want to sign you then they want you to play. Deadline day was abit crazy but it's gone and focus is on Blackpool now. You never know what's going to happen in the summer.

Another player, that was heavily linked with Liverpool in the January transfer window, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, is now a doubt for the summer window.

Arsenal and Manchester United are still interested in the Southampton starlet, that has been given his first call up to England Under 21s.

Saints chairman Nicola Cortese has so far refused to enter into negotiations reports the Daily Telegraph, according to GiveMeFootball.

Cortese believes Oxlade-Chamberlain, who is set to make his England U21 debut tonight would be better staying with Southampton at least until the end of next season.

He questiones the conduct of some of the clubs that had reportedly bid for the player saying, 'I have experienced a lot of things over the past month about the behaviour of some Premier League clubs. Some have really behaved very well. There has been professionalism and there has been the complete opposite as well. Some simply sent a fax. No communication, nothing. It gave the impression that they didn’t care about the boy. Those faxes went straight into the bin.'

The faxed offer allegedly came from Liverpool who had been scouting Chamberlain for some time in a bid to bring the player to Anfield.

Eight potential summer signings?

While Kenny Dalglish is turning the ship on the pitch for Liverpool, there is continious speculations to which players that will be brought in to Anfield this summer.

Liverpool's principal owner John Henry is focused on ending Liverpool FC's league title drought.

He admits Kenny Dalglish's transformation of their on-field fortunes is exactly what he hoped for when he chose to appoint the Scot as manager, GiveMefootball reports.

The future will tell us whether he will become the permanent one.

But even though Liverpool have signed two strikers in January, they are still believed to be interested in Anderlecht striker Romelu Lukaku, the Bleacher Report claims.

Liverpool are facing competition from Chelsea in the signing, another team who seem to have no dearth of strikers with Drogba, Anelka and Torres already in the squad and Sturridge on loan to Bolton. 

Further on they also claim Mateo Musacchio has emerged as the top target for the center back position. The young Argentine has become a regular starter at Villareal after moving to the team from River Plate in 2009.

He has caught the fancy of a lot of top clubs across Europe with a string of fine performances. With his long-term contract at Villareal, the club officially says that the player is not for sale. Comolli and Liverpool, though, believe that they could land the promising youngster for €4m.

If the deal for Musacchio does fall through, Liverpool are believed to be lining up hotly tipped January target Davide Santon, who is currently on loan at Cesena from Inter Milan.

With the need for replacing Carragher becoming more and more important as time passes, the signing of a center back would be a priority and either Musacchio or Santon would fit the billing.

The other targets mentioned in the Bleacher Report article is Eden Hazard, Fabio Coentrao, of course Charlie Adam and Ashley Young.

Young is today being mentioned in other reports too, like GiveMeFootball who say News of the World claims Liverpool will battle Manchester United and Manchester City at the end of the season in a race to land the player, with a €15 million valuation placed on his head.

25-year-old Young has made 11 appearances for England thus far, and has become a regular in the Three Lions squad under Fabio Capello.

The England international winger was heavily linked with an Anfield switch in the summer, although Liverpool never made an official approach for the player.

Aston Villa managed to keep hold of their prized asset, but Young only has 18 months left on his contract at Villa Park and after rejecting the club's latest offer appears unlikely to sign a new deal.

Liverpool have identified teenage playmaker Christian Eriksen as a potential summer signing after being impressed with the Ajax midfielders strong performances in Holland. 

Damien Comolli, director of football at Liverpool, spent close to a week in Amsterdam as he negotiated a deal for Uruguayan forward Suarez and was said to be impressed with Eriksen.

The Danish international is still just 18-years-of-age but has impressed with a number of mature performances for Ajax and has been tipped as a potential star of the future, Sportsvibe reports.


Liverpool seem to have adopted a new transfer policy under owners Fenways Sports Group as they attempt to identify young, talented players with big futures ahead of them.

Eriksen certainly fits the current model as Liverpool believe the midfielder, who has been compared with Dennis Bergkamp, has a bright future and may be available for around £10m.

Finaly, another new name appears on the radar, with Liverpool being linked with a move for young Valencia forward Paco Alcacer in the local Spanish press.

Valencia newspaper Superdeporte claims that the Reds have sent scouts to watch a number of Alcacer’s games, and though Real Madrid and Barcelona are also interested, a bid from Liverpool appears most likely.

One of the greatest legacies of the Rafa Benitez reign as Liverpool manager is his overhaul of the club’s academy.

The 17 year-old Alcacer made his first team debut for Valencia earlier this season, and has scored 15 goals in 13 games for Spain’s U17 side.

He now has 2 in 2 for the U18s, and could become part of the revolution on Merseyside, joining fellow Spaniards Suso, Dani Pacheco, Dani Ayala and Emmanuel Mendy.

However, his contract expires in 2013, and Liverpool are highly unlikely to pay his €10m release clause.

Liverpool's main summer targets?

When the transfer window was closed Monday night, it is my impression most Liverpool supporters were quite happy, despite the fact that Torres went to Chelsea. 

The overall impression is that John W. Henry and NESV / FSG has clear intentions with their purchase of Liverpool, and want to invest in the team's future. And accoring to Sportsvibe Kenny Dalglish has revealed that he fully believes the club’s new owners will continue to invest heavily in the reconstruction of the team.

He is even saying that the owners were a 'bit disappointed' not to get more players in during the January transfer window:

Even former Liverpool player and club legend John Aldridge say 'other signings will come in future, I’m sure of that. Kenny can build the team as time goes on because the new board have shown they are willing to spend', TalkSport reports.

It seems clear enough we can look forward to a very exciting summer!

But who is going to be the club's main targets?

It seems quite likely, even though Ian Halloway according to some sources may not think the same, one of the summers main targets will be Blackpool playmaker Charlie Adam.

And according to Caughtoffside The Merseyside club believe they are the front runners to bring in the Scottish international who they believe wants to complete a move to Anfield.

Ian Holloway’s sung the praises of manager Kenny Dalglish in relation to the way he conducted himself in the chase for the in form 25 year old, in marked contrast to the way the Tangerines boss pilloried Aston Villa’s Gerard Houllier, and that too could well work in Liverpool’s favour come the summer.

Tottenham reportedly failed to secure a move for Adam in the dying minutes of the transfer window but it is believed that the former Rangers man has set his heart on a move to Liverpool and it was the interest from the Dalglish and co. that led to him putting in a transfer request in the first place.

Even Blackpool manager Ian Holloway says it would be 'impossible' to stop Adam from joining Liverpool in the summer.

Sportsvibe.co.uk claims Liverpool have identified young German midfielder Marko Marin as the next player to join the Anfield revolution.

The 21-year-old has already drawn interest from a number of Premier League clubs after a string of superb performances in the Champions league, including two impressive displays against Tottenham.

Spurs, Manchester United and Arsenal have all shown an interest in the talented playmaker, but according to reports in the German media, Liverpool are now the favourites to bring Marin to England.

Caughtoffside claims Liverpool are keen on making a summer move for Bolton centre back Gary Cahill as Anfield Director of Football Damien Comolli draws up plans to freshen up the club’s back four.

Dalglish and Comolli are apparently big admirers of the Bolton defender but will not be prepared to meet the inflated asking price of £25m, a fee that also scared off Arsene Wenger but Liverpool may feel that they can persuade Wanderers to accept less given their financial problems.

Liverpool are also reportedly planning a summer move for versatile Benfica wideman, Fábio Coentrão, GiveMeFootball claims.

The Portuguese is thought to have been on the radar of the Reds for a number of months after Goal.com initially reported that they had shown interest in the 22-year-old.

Coentrão has since been quoted in the French press expressing his 'love' for Liverpool and, now, caughtoffside.com suggest the Anfield club have 'earmarked' the Portugal international for a summer transfer.

Liverpool are currently short on recognised left-backs after the failure of Paul Konchesky to make a lasting impression at Anfield saw him loaned out to Nottingham Forest.

Murphy's Transfer Deadline Day

After a wonderful eventful day, where Fernando Torres disappeared and Luis Suarez and Roy Carroll came in, I'm quite pleased. Incredibly sad to see Torres go, but no one is bigger than the club and I trust that Kenny Dalglish has found good replacements for us!

Follow transfer developments here too:

• BBC Transfer watch
• Sky Sports Transfer Clockwatch
• Follow deadline day on LFC TV
• Dedline Day on This is Anfield

Here's what happened until I had to stop:

21.55: TonyBarretTimes Looks like that's it for LFC. Suarez & Carroll in. Torres out. Adam and Young no go. Absolutely mad day. Thank God it's over.

21.50: A deal can still be done - subject to a medical in the morning. So the player in question doesn't necessarily have to be on Merseyside within the hour.(ThisIsAnfield)

21.37: @LFCGlobe: Ashley Young. #LFC's bid is £3m off what Villa are prepared to let him go for.


21.36: Adam to Liverpool is definitely OFF according to all reports. Shame.(ThisIsAnfield)

21.34: @LFCGlobe: negotiating with PL club over winger. Deal has to be done very, very quickly.

21.32: Even if Adam isn't coming in. We're still confident Liverpool will sign a midfielder. Possibly Young, or NZogbia. (ThisIsAnfield)

21.30: BrianDurand56 Reports of raised voices at Oyston/Adam meeting, Adam & rep left Bloomfield now. There may be trouble ahead. 

21.21: skysports_bryan Transfer latest - Karl Oyston tells us Charlie Adam's staying at Blackpool. Adam's just left Bloomfield Road after club talks. 

21.20: LFCBoston Looks like the Charlie Adam deal is dead. 

20.57: The Red Legions There is not much happening on Charlie Adam as Sky Sports report to have seen him at the reception in Bloomfield. 

20.52: Just over 2hrs left of the transfer window. Charlie Adam and Ian Holloway still in the reception of Bloomfield Road.(ThisIsAnfield) 

20.45: Luis Suarez has today completed his transfer from Ajax to Liverpool FC and signed a 5 and a half-year-deal that will keep him at Anfield until 2016. (Official statement) 

20.34: Empireofthekop Ok Adam is still on. 

20.33: Mirror reporting Charlie Adam deal is off. But I wouldn't believe it just yet...(ThisIsAnfield) 

20.19: West Ham striker Carlton Cole on Twitter: "Just checked my Twitter! It's crazy on here. I've said I was chilling at home with my feet up and I still am!

20.14: Micah Richards deal not happening, it was unlikely City would sell to us anyway. Charlie Adam deal expected to still go ahead. No news on Warnock or Young unfortunately. (ThisIsAnfield) 

20.12: Blackpool have clinched the signing of James Beattie on loan from Rangers until the end of the season, according to Sky Sports News. (Charlie Adam replacement?) 

20.05: danroan (BBC) Well-placed Anfield source tells me Chelsea have paid the full 50m for Torres.

20.00: rorysmith_tel Charlie Adam, as much a 2010 fad as, er, Twitter, is still in the balance. Conflicting reports. #LFC #BFC #MUFC 

19.58: TonyBarretTimes LFC will recover from Torres loss. Better players have walked away and success has followed.

19.55: I was speaking to a football agent last week, and he told me that if clubs wanted to wrap up deals in time to beat the 2300 GMT deadline for transfers, they really needed to have the player undergoing a medical by 2000 GMT so as to get the assessment done and dusted in time to get the required forms off to the Premier League. Consider this your five minute warning people. (BBC) 

19.45: BBC Sport's Dan Walker on Twitter: "Tottenham came close to nicking Andy Carroll off Liverpool, but the striker wanted to join Liverpool as soon as it became clear that Newcastle would sell him."

19.42: From The Guardian: "Although the sums being talked about are ludicrous, there is a certain logic from FSG, I think. We'll probably never know the true amounts, but Carroll at £35m, Suarez at £22m, and Adam at £10m is £67m. If Liverpool really are receiving £50m for Torres, then they would have spent about £17m. That is close to the total of the original bids of £12m and £4m for Suarez and Adam respectively while getting rid of Torres' £110,000 per week wages. Might seem like a smart bit of business from their end."  We also sold Babel for £6m so net spend is only £11m. 

19.37: No updates on Young or Adam, expect developments tonight. (ThisIsAnfield)

19.34: Official statement from LFC: "Liverpool Football Club tonight confirmed they have agreed a fee with Chelsea for the sale of Fernando Torres. The player has now been given permission to speak to the London club." (ThisIsAnfield)

19.04: Andy Carroll's deal at Liverpool reported to be around £80,000 a week on a 5 year deal. He currently earns around £35,000 a week at Newcastle.(ThisIsAnfield)

18.55: Skysportsed RT @VinnOConnor: Andy Carroll has arrived at Melwood ahead of his move to Liverpool.

18.50: LFCBoston SSN just showed Charlie Adam getting in a car headed to Liverpool. 

18.47: Skysports.com understands Liverpool also approached Manchester City for Micah Richards and were prepared to go up to £20million for the defender. City rejected the Reds' approach. 


18.45: @SkySportsRachG: Sky Sources understand Fernando Torres is waiting on the go-ahead from Liverpool to have a medical at Chelsea. 

18.35: Liverpool renew Adam interest (Sky Sports)

18.26: Sky Sports reporting that Charlie Adam is still at Bloomfield Road.

18.25: Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere on Twitter: "Andy Carroll will be a great player for Liverpool and England. Fact."

18.22: @SkySportsLewis: Sky Sports News sources understand Liverpool have renewed their interest in bringing Blackpool's Charlie Adam to Anfield. 


18.15: A little bit more info has emerged on the ongoing Andy Carroll to Liverpool saga... Carroll submitted a transfer request this afternoon which Newcastle "reluctantly accepted" according to a statement on their website. Liverpool have since agreed a fee with the Magpies for Carroll, who is still en-route to Merseyside where he will discuss personal terms and take a medical. (BBC) 

18.12: Here's something worth bearing in mind if and when Liverpool and Blackpool agree a fee for Charlie Adam tonight. Rangers receive 10% of any fee and Seasiders boss Ian Holloway also gets a cut. Takes a bit of the edge off any potential windfall for Blackpool fans, but they would undoubtedly prefer Adam to stay anyway. (BBC) 

18.04: thisisanfield: No news on Ashley Young, Villa still claiming he's not for sale, but interest is there from Liverpool. Might not happen in this window but it would be in Villa's interest to do so as player only has 17 months on his contract left. Young would give us versatility and pace in attack, much needed.


18.02: GuillemBalague Yes,all done chelsea-torres-lpl pending medical. £50m.As said earlier,Torres will leave soon for London to have medical. He hasnt had one yet...

18.01: TonyBarretTimes For all the justifiable concerns about fee paid for Carroll, no one can say LFC's new owners lack ambition. They've created real excitement.

17.58: More good news for Liverpool fans? Looks that way, but Blackpool supporters might not be so happy. BBC sports news correspondent Dan Roan has just tweeted: "Charlie Adam on way to Liverpool too." More details on that when I get them...

17.55: rorysmith_tel The figure for anyone to buy Charlie Adam will not be £14m. It will be around £8m. No word from #LFC as yet, mind. Hold your horses, SSN.

17.54: @SkySportsLewis: Liverpool have announced the surprise signing of Coventry youngster Conor Thomas on loan. 

17.47: still in talks with villa for young [22 million] and warnock on loan...keep the faith....Willie Murphy

17.45: @JimBoardman: RT @ianprior: We're hearing an astonishing £14m for Charlie Adam to #lfc http://bit.ly/gGhDhU

17.41: bensmith_Times Seems a former #lfc striker may be on his way to #nufc to replace Andy Carroll ... he's very tall

17.40: Daniel Ayala's move from Liverpool to Derby County has fallen through according to the Reds' official website. (Sky Sports)

17.35: thisisanfield: Suarez - done. Carroll - done. Adam - done. Only Young left. Can we make it 4 in a day?


17.30: thisisanfield Charlie Adam on his way to Liverpool. Just like we told you earlier. 

17.26: BREAKING NEWS: LIVERPOOL ANNOUNCE THEY HAVE AGREED A FEE FOR NEWCASTLE STRIKER ANDY CARROLL (BBC)
 

17.23: TonyBarretTimes Looks like Chelsea are going to pay £50 million for Torres.

17.19: More twists in the Andy Carroll saga. Newcastle have accepted a transfer request from the striker - in spite of Liverpool's two rejected bids (Sky Sports).

17.15: bensmith_Times Andy Carroll submits formal transfer request which #nufc accept #lfc

17.14: jackwidnell: reported Carroll has accepted personal terms with LFC in principle but NUFC stalling waiting for green light to sign striker.

17.09: @TonyBarretTimes: Carroll flying to Merseyside on private jet that was sent to the North East to collect him by LFC. Deal very much on.

17.05: Ian Holloway: Blackpool are refusing to take Liverpool FC's phone calls over Charlie Adam (Liverpool Echo).

17.03: This is Anfield: Nothing new here but LFC still looking to get Adam (£10m) and Young (£15m).

17.02: @TonyBarretTimes: Led to believe NUFC are playing for time to find a replacement & aren't after higher bid.

16.54: "BBC Sport understands that the delay with the Fernando Torres deal is down to a hitch in negotiations about the mechanics of his Stamford Bridge contract, concerning image rights etc."

16.52: A twist in the Andy Carroll saga - and it's a biggie - despite reports earlier that Newcastle had accepted a Liverpool bid for the 22-year-old striker (see 1513), it seems they actually rejected the Reds' second offer too. Just SIX HOURS of the transfer window left for the two clubs to work that one out - and how much does it rely on Fernando Torres completing his move to Chelsea too. We will find out, soon enough... (BBC)

16.52: Blackpool sign Charlie Adam replacement
Kenny Dalglish has made Charlie Adam one of his top two targets to bring to Anfield this month, and it looks like he is going to succeed on both fronts. The news is that Andy Carroll has been secured, and now he can turn his attention to Blackpool’s Adam...

16.38: Ah. I'm told there is no truth in the 'Charlie Adam to Man Utd' rumours. Apparently, Blackpool chairman Karl Oyston is refusing to answer calls from Liverpool about the Scotland midfielder... maybe that United story started when Kenny Dalglish phoned up pretending to be Sir Alex Ferguson instead?

Still in Charlie Adam negotiations?

No wonder Blackpool and Ian Holloway are stalling on the proposed move for Charlie Adam to Liverpool...

Liverpool Facebook fan-page True Kopites We Are The Reds tonight tweeted:

'We still havent come to a settlement with blackpool for Charlie Adam....we are still in negotiations with them even though we said we would pull the plug after they rejected our most recent offer believed to be around 7 million...'

But what may become the conclusion of this saga is that Ian Halloway is the real bad guy.

It has emerged that Ian Holloway can make personal profit if Charlie Adams is indeed sold by Blackpool to the likes of Liverpool. Giving him a good reason for pressing the price as high as possible.

- I do get rewarded with anybody I coach and make a profit on. My chairman looked at my record of producing players and helping players and selling them on and he wanted that at Blackpool, Holloway said.

Earlier, Charlie Adams father has branded Blackpool 'cheap-skates' after the second Liverpool bid was rejected.

Latest Torres rumours + Final Adam offer

It's quite odd that Liverpool FC have landed in this situation with FernandoTorres. 

Earlier he has stated his love for the club, saying things like 'I would not like to play for another English or Spanish club. This feeling is very important to me.'

In August Torres publicly committed himself to Liverpool Football Club. He said: 'My commitment and loyalty to the club and to the fans is the same as it was on my first day when I signed. I am looking forward to the challenge ahead.

However, a report said Chelsea wanted to make Torres their best paid player ever, if he made the move to London. And the Sky Sports betting had slashed the odds on Torres going to Chelsea before Monday to 1/5.

Liverpool then confirmed that Torres Friday evening submitted a transfer request. But the request was rejected.

'Fernando Torres tonight submitted a written transfer request, which has been rejected by Liverpool. Fernando is under a long-term contract and the Club expects him to honour the commitment he made to Liverpool FC and its supporters when he signed the agreement, the Club statement said.

According to Liverpool FC |fan page| - News and Speculations, there is a minimum fee release clause written into Torres' contract. But there is a clause to the clause stating that we dont have to accept bids from home rivals. The club have sent representatives to Spain to negotiate a transfer for Torres with Barca. BUT, if Chelsea where to offer 65m, then the club are prepared to accept.

Tony Evans, The Times’ Football Editor, has told talkSPORT that he believes Fernando Torres will move to Chelsea in this transfer window.

Later a rumour started doing the rounds on the net, saying Torres is set to withdraw his transfer request and commit to LFC. Apparently Steven Gerrard and  Kenny Dalglish last night was talking to him, and he is now 60-40 in favour of staying and signing new deal.



When it comes to the other main transfer taret for Liverpool in this window - Charlie Adam, Blackpool have been branded 'cheapskates' for turning down Liverpool's latest offer for him down, by the player's father, Click Liverpool reports.

The father claims that the improved bid tabled by the Reds this week, believed to be in the region of £6million, is more than an acceptable offer for the Scotland international.

Adam handed in a transfer request to the Seasiders in a bid to help force his move to Anfield through but their chairman Karl Oyston and manager Ian Holloway are standing firm, prompting his father to launch a stinging attack on the Barclays Premier League newcomers.

- I don’t even think this is about money. It’s because Charlie took them to a tribunal over the bonus they owed him. This is their pay-back. They are saying ‘you won’t make anything out of this, we have got you under contract’, he's saying.

- Liverpool’s offer is 13 times what Blackpool paid for Charles. And they are turning it down? They have been more than compensated for him already.

- Mr Oyston has got to realise it is somebody’s life and future that he is dealing with here. I think it is petty. This should be a time for common sense to prevail.

Today it became clear that also Gerard Houllier will launch a bid for Adam in the summer, according to The Daily Mail.

The latest on the Adam saga is that Liverpool are ready to make one final offer for the Scotsman.

Another player that looked destined to leave, is Milan Jovanovic.

But now he is set to stay at Liverpool after turning down a transfer to Wolfsburg, the Metro reports.

Elsewhere, Liverpool are reportedly keeping tabs on Leeds goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.

The Danish stopper has been attracting plenty of plaudits for his performances in the Championship this season and, according to the Daily Mail, he has caught the eye of Liverpool.

Former Manchester City 'keeper, Schmeichel, began to fulfil his potential with Notts County last season and did enough to earn himself a transfer to Leeds in the summer. And now he could be set to move back to the Barclays Premier League if Liverpool step up their reported interest, GiveMeFootball reports.

However, the idea of Liverpool splashing out £6 million on a no.2 goalie appears to be remote - even for one with the potential of 24-year-old Schmeichel.

Another name that might be on for the summer is Roma striker Mirko Vucinic.
Liverpool are reportedly frontrunners to sign him in the summer.

According to talkSPORT, the Reds are 'strong favourites' for the 27-year-old, although Roma remain unwilling to sell during the January transfer window - but they have received bids for his services.

When asked about the reported interest of Liverpool, Vucinic's agent Alessandro Lucci said:

- The club have stated he is not for sale. Although we have received some bids the club will not be considering any offers. At the end of the season we will make a decision on his future.

Valued at €25 million by transfermarkt.co.uk, Vucinic is one the most highly-regarded forwards in Europe and it would be a major coup if Liverpool could land him in the summer.

Adam Liverpool move back on?

It seems the Luis Suarez transfer deal again has broken down. Liverpool and Ajax has again failed to reach an agreement, and Suarez feels cheated by his club.

- Now I have a very small motivation to play for Ajax, Suarez says.

However talks between the two clubs are said to still be ongoing, and this saga is probably not over just yet.

Rumours elsewhere say Ajax has set a new Saturday deadline, with a @21,5m price tag. Other rumours speculating in that Suarez will become a Liverpool player by Friday - that he will sign friday morning.

When it comes to Charlie Adam, his Anfield dream could still be on thanks to other moves for Chelsea, Fulham and Blackpool.

The player wants to leave, having handed in a transfer request at the start of the week, but the Tangerines and Ian Holloway are staying strong as they hold out for a fee that they believe Adam’s merits warrant - £12m.

According to GiveMeFootball Chelsea’s Gael Kakuta completed his loan switch to Fulham which could pave the way for Zoltan Gera to move north to Blackpool, which in turn could make way for Charlie Adam’s long-awaited transfer to Anfield.

If the Adam transfer fails to happen, Liverpool could make a move for Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Niko Kranjcar.

According to The Daily Mirror, Werder Bremen are interested in the Croatian, but the player himself wants to continue plying his trade in the Premier League.

It is thought that he would like to play for the Reds, who are currently interested in Blackpool midfielder Adam, Goal.com claims.

However, it has been reported that the situation could very well change if they are unable to land the Seasiders' skipper, with Spurs outcast Kranjcar lined up as a backup option.

And, if the Suarez deal does not go through, Liverpool will switch their attention to Bolton's Johan Elmander.

Reds owner John W Henry is refusing to be held to ransom and is busy making contingency plans if the Suarez transfer does not take place.

Elmander has been on the Merseyside club's list after an excellent start to the campaign saw him nine goals for Wanderer's. A downturn in fortunes for Owen Coyle's team that has seen them take just one point from the last 15 available has coincided with the goals drying up for the Sweden international.

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish, though, has seen enough in the 29-year-old's game to convince him that he is of sufficient calibre to perform capably at Anfield, Sportingo claims.

And with his contract at the Reebok Stadium due to expire at the end of the season, Elmander would cost a fraction of his market value – around £2.5m.

A transfer that seems to be likely to happen, is Paul Konchesky to Fulham. It is reported that the two clubs held talks over the full-back last night when the Cottagers visited Anfield.

This may open the door to a return for Aston Villa's Stephen Warnock.

Should Konchesky leave Anfield, Liverpool's interim manager Kenny Dalglish will take Aston Villa defender Stephen Warnock on loan for the rest of the season, The Daily Mail reports.

According to The FootballTransferTavern Wolfsburg manager Steve McClaren has offered £6m for Liverpool flop Milan Jovanovic.

McClaren has targeted Liverpool’s Jovanovic, a player who has failed to make a decent impression at Anfield since joining on a free transfer in the summer.

Serie A sides Fiorentina and Genoa have also been rumoured to have an interest, but Wolfsburg are cash happy and can afford to ‘go for the kill’ on more or less whoever they target.

Looking on to the next transfer window - Sport.co.uk understands that Galatasaray captain Arda Turan looks set to be made available in the summer following a number of enquiries during the January transfer window according to the player’s chief representative.

The Premier League quartet of Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur have been perennially linked with the 23-year-old playmaker who has performed well in a poor campaign for Galatasaray thus far which sees the Lions sitting in seventh place in the SPORTTOTO SuperLig.

- Of course there has been a lot of interest, from the Premier League and Spain, but the club do not want to sell Arda at the moment. In six months we will see, Ahmet Bulut told Sport.co.uk.

Turan is an icon in Turkey and one of the most exciting prospects the country has produced, with many Galatasaray fans drawing comparisons with former Gala playmaker and Romanian international Gheorghe Hagi, currently his manager at the Turkish giants.

Liverpool to find winger compromise?

As it stands now, it does not look like there will be any transfer for either Luis Suarez or Charlie Adam.

Earlier today, with a tung-in-cheek comment, Ajax manager Frank de Boer warned the value of the striker is increasing by up to £5million a day and told Liverpool they have until January 29 to force through a deal to sign Luis Suarez. 

Suarez reportedly had a plan to convince Ajax to reduce their £30m asking price, but it seems the player has been offered a loyalty bonus if he snubs Liverpool this month.

But, according to the Daily Mirror, Liverpool has 'slammed the door shut' on negotiations for both Suarez and Adam. Liverpool bid £12.7m and £4.5m for them respectively, but each's current club was asking for more than double those numbers.

However, another report says that Charlie Adam looks almost certain to be at Liverpool before the transfer window closes at midnight on Monday. Anfield looks to be his most likely destination at 4/11 odds with betting company Boylesports.com, the report says.

So, if there's going to be any players coming in at all, who will it be, then?

Right now the hottest tip is Charles N'Zogbia coming in to replace Ryan Babel. The fee was according to Click Lancashire thought to be in the region of £8m, which would be a fare price for all concerned.

But now, according to The People, Wigan have slapped a £15million price tag on the French winger, with Liverpool only willing to pay half that figure but still hopeful of finding a compromise.

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish made a personal check on N’Zogbia during Wigan’s draw with Fulham last weekend.

The Anfield club’s move for the Wigan star has been driven by Stretford and his business partner, former Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd, the paper reports.

A name that again is back is Lacina Traore. Liverpool are reportedly ready to make their move for him if as the Luis Suarez saga continues to rumble on.

With Liverpool desperate for striking reinforcements in January, they could be forced to set their sights elsewhere in pursuit of more potent attacking options, GiveMeFootball say.

One of their reported targets is FC Cluj frontman Lacina Traore who, according to talkSPORT, could be available to Liverpool for €12 million. And now, Sport.co.uk understands, that Liverpool are indeed monitoring the Ivorian striker.

A new name on the radar: Manchester United will reportedly battle Liverpool over the signature of Lyon's Michael Bastos at the end of the season, Sportingo claims.

With the Red Devils increasingly resigned to losing Patrice Evra in the summer – most likely to Real Madrid – plans are being made for the acquisition of his replacement.

However, they will face competition from arch-rivals Liverpool who are desperate to find a top class player for what has become a problem position for them. Paul Konchesky's career at Anfield appears to be already over after a series of calamitous displays following his summer move from Fulham while Fabio Aurelio is not rated by manager Kenny Dalglish. This has seen the out-of-form Glen Johnson deployed in an unfamiliar role, highlighting a clear need for specialist in that part of the field.

Bastos has impressed for Lyon in the Champions League this season and the Ligue 1 side are reluctant to sell him on the cheap with opening bids likely to be at around the £22m mark.

By the way...What a pity we didn't get Ronaldinho, he can literaly score from anywhere: