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?

Spanish star being priced out?

After that sobering defeat to Stoke at the weekend once again there is speculations regarding Roy Hodgsons future as Liverpool manager.

And once again the Dutch legend Frank Rijkaard is linked with the managerial post.

According to GiveMeFootball the odds have dramatically been shortened on Rijkaard becoming the new man at the Liverpool helm.  

Martin O’Neill and Guus Hiddink are also thought to be in contention, while Liverpool fans’ favourite Kenny Dalglish is a 12/1 shot with SkyBet. 

But regardless of who is the Liverpool manager in january, there will be money available for a star player, if the price is right...

In addition, Hodgson may possibly get money from the sale of Dani Pacheco, who wants out and from Alberto Aquilani who wants a permanent move to Juventus. And he would be willing to take Glen Johnson with him to Italy.

This is money Hodgson probably would need if the following player is on Hodgsons wish list in January;

Athletic Bilbao has slapped a price tag on reported Liverpool target Fernando Llorente. 

Liverpool will have to cough up a massive €63million if they are to land the Spanish, TalkSport reports.

Damien Camolli has been told that the club's owners New England Sports Ventures would make money available for a world class signing in the transfer window.

But their chances of landing the 6ft 5in Spanish international now seem remote after the La Liga club revealed they have increased the his buy-out clause from €36m to an eye-watering €63m.

Real Madrid are also keen on the big striker, but even they seem unlikely to meet that whopping asking price.

A new name poping up is French right-back Rod Fanni.

According to The Mirror Roy Hodgson eyes up the player as Glen Johnson's replacement.

Hodgson flew to watch the Rennes defender against Auxerre on Sunday and is poised to make a bargain offer of around £3m in the New Year window.

Fanni, 29 next month, is one of the most respected right backs in his homeland and has won five caps for France.

He has been close to coming to the Premier League before when Newcastle, Sunderland and Everton tried for him.

Another reported Liverpool target is PSV Eindhoven's Ibrahim Afellay.

PSV Eindhoven have now confirmed they have agreed a deal with Barcelona for the January transfer of highly-rated midfielder Ibrahim Afellay, TeamTalk writes.

Afellay announced last month he would not be signing a new contract when his current deal expires at the end of the season with PSV.

A number of clubs, including the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal were linked with the Holland international, but Barcelona have won the race for the 24-year-old's signature.

Five players on the radar

On a day where John W. Henry has talked about more formal involvement for Liverpool fans, and the appointment of new Director of Football Strategy, Damien Comolli, the transfer rumour mill continues running warm.

The first name turning up is CSKA Moscow’s Brazilian striker Vagner Love.

According to Footylatest it is reported that Roy Hodgson is seriously considering making a bid in January for the player who has only recently returned to the Russian outfit.

Love was loaned out to Brazilian outfit Palmeiras and then on to Flamengo but it never quite worked out thus the return to Russia and it has been reported that the 26 year old is no longer happy back in Moscow, a fact that has apparently alerted Hodgson who wants to bring the Brazilian to Anfield.

No fee has been mentioned and Love’s value has certainly dropped and Liverpool would probably see change out of £10 Million.

Get the updates first!
Follow Murphys on Facebook

Meanwhile the Ibrahim Afellay rumour keeps coming back.

The Daily Mirror is according to Sport.co.uk reporting that Hodgson is weighing up a double move for both Afellay and Ola Toivonen. 

The paper suggests Hodgson saw Afellay and Swedish international Toivonen in action against FC Twente at the weekend and was sufficiently impressed to now want to bring the pair to Anfield in January.

Afellay is likely to be available for a nominal fee given his contract situation, but there is strong interest in the attacking midfielder, and the Mirror suggests Liverpool will face stern opposition from a host of top clubs around Europe, most notably from Arsenal and Manchester United.
 
Toivonen also caught Hodgson’s eye during the Eredivisie game and the aforementioned newspaper claim Liverpool will propose an ambitious deal to bring the attacking duo to Anfield at the turn of the year.

Sport.co.uk also reports that a chase for Palermo sensation Javier Pastore is hotting up amid reports Barcelona will make a £35 million bid for the Argentine international in January. 

The prodigious playmaker has been strongly linked with a move to the Premier League with Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool all tracking the 21-year-old. 

Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson tried to sign the player as a teenager but were rebuffed due to work permit issues, but the player reportedly favours a move to Spain. 

Finaly a Brazilian "wing wizard" apparently is getting Hodgsons interest.

Both Liverpool and Manchester City is to be in a race to sign Renato Augusto from Bayer Leverkusen.

Rafa Benitez was heavily linked with a move for the player in January 2009, and Augusto has continued to produce solid performances at the BayArena. 

Manchester City are now thought to be interested in the player, with German paper Express reporting that the Citizens are willing to spend in the region of €20 million for the player, GiveMeFootball reports.

Five strikers and one defender linked

The Mirror today comes up with an utterly silly and gibberish story about Fernando Torres and Pepe Reina wanting to leave Liverpool in january.

They are, according to the paper, ready to use secret escape clauses in theire contracts to quit Anfield. The paper though has no quoted sources what so ever. So we don't belive that, do we?

Roy Hodgson has on his hand warned Manchester United that goalkeeper Pepe Reina is not for sale.

Anyway Roy Hodgson would want to pair Torres with another striker in january. But who would that be?

One alternative apparently is Benfica striker Oscar Cardozo. Liverpool are prepared to break the bank to land the Chilean goal scorer who could make a £22 million move to Anfield in January, if we are to belive Mexican publication Ultima Hora, Givemefootball.com reports.

Get the updates first!
Follow Murphys on Facebook

Cardozo will be a familiar name to the Anfield faithful after the Chilean struck three times in two matches against Rafa Benitez's Reds in last season's Europa League.

Liverpool appear to be frontrunners for his signature in a deal which would firmly establish NESV as serious backers to the Anfield cause.

Earlier reported Liverpool target Ibrahim Afellay has according to Goal.com rubbished talk of an agreement with Atletico Madrid. 


The player has been made available by PSV Eindhoven in January after he failed to agree a new contract. The Dutch side do no want the player to leave on a free transfer next summer when his deal runs out, and a fee had reportedly been agreed with Atletico. 

But this is not true. 

- We have not reached any agreement with any club whatsoever. Not even with Atletico. Some of the names in the press are correct, but I do not wish to confirm any one, his agent says.

Another earlier reported potential transfer target in the January transfer window is Atletico Madrid striker Diego Forlan.

It is believed that he could be made available in January to finance a move for Lyon’s Lisandro Lopez, reports Spanish newspaper Cadena Ser.

Both Spurs and Liverpool are said to be interested in signing the 31 year old Uruguayan and any move by Atletico for Lopez could see either English club pounce for the prolific goalscorer.

The same is the case for Bayern Munich striker Mario Gomez, who according to The Daily Mail are going to be offloaded to finance a £40m move for Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko.

The Reds missed out on a loan deal for the German international in the summer but Roy Hodgson is still believed to be keen on signing the 25 year old.

Another striker turning up on the rumour mill is Mirko Vucinic. 

The Montenegro international is reportedly keen on a Stadio Olimpico exit after clashing with manager Claudio Ranieri, and Liverpool are thought to be one of the interested parties in the player, says Givemefootball.com. 

Temperament could be a key issue in any decision to move for the player, and Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson would have to pay in the region of £13 million to bring him to Anfield. 

Reports in Italy suggest the player is looking to move after reactingly badly to being substituted in the 0-0 draw against Parma, and the aforementioned fee is a reduced price from La Maggica's original valuation. 

And finaly a defencive player is being linked. This time it's the Real Madrid defender Royston Drenthe, who Liverpool reportedly have made contact with Real Madrid over.

The 23-year-old is currently on a season-long loan at La Liga side Hercules, earning rave-reviews for his performances. Liverpool are thought to have been impressed by Drenthe's performances at the José Rico Pérez stadium, and Spanish paper Sport notes that Jose Mourinho would be willing to listen to offers for the former U21 international.

Roy Hodgson is still thought to be keen on bringing the player to Anfield, and it's thought that Liverpool will have to pay a fee in the region of £8 million for the player.

No big signings in January?

Today there are several reports on Liverpool not going to bring in any new big names in the January transfer window. On the other hand the rumours of transfer war chests and players keep on coming like never before.

The Evening Herald reports about Liverpool needing to get theire books in order before the club can buy players.

Hodgson will not target any trophy signings in the January transfer window as Liverpool's new owner, New England Sports Ventures, looks to put a stop to the profligate spending which it believes has hampered the club's progress in recent years, the paper reports.

NESV's takeover freed up £36m a year on revenue -- money that had previously been used to service Liverpool's £282m debts -- to be reinvested in the club.

Although its offer also made provisions for an immediate injection of funds into the playing staff, the American consortium has made it clear it expects value for money, both from fees and salaries.

- At the Boston Red Sox, we invested a lot in management and the scouting system, said NESV chairman Tom Werner, The Daily Telegraph reports.

- We believe the foundation of any good sports club has to be the experience, valuation and understanding of scouting, so we will invest in that as well, he sayd.

Get the updates first!
Follow Murphys on Facebook

Also says the same newspaper Hodgson and his scouting team in recent weeks have been following the Standard Liège captain Steven Defour. A long-term target for the Liverpool manager.

The newspaper believes that at 22, and around £12 million, Defour represents minimum risk for maximum reward.

The player has also been followed by Hodgsons good friend Alex Ferguson, but the manager according to Sportsvibe intends to challenge Manchester United in securing the signature of highly-rated Standard Liege midfielder

The Telegraph also mentions the PSV Eindhoven Winger Ibrahim Afellay, whom Liverpool have assessed on several occasions.

Already a Dutch international at 24 and heralded for several years as one of the brightest prospects in Europe, Afellay would fall within Liverpool's budget, while his wage demands would remain comparatively modest.

More expensive would be Eden Hazard, Defour's Belgian international team-mate, currently with Lille.

Earlier reported transfer goal for Hodgson, Diego Forlan is again being mentioned on the rumour mill.

According to Goal.com the Atletico Madrid striker is keen on a move to the Premiership in january. They say Liverpool and Tottenham are set to battle for the Uruguayan star.

He is apparently targeting a move to England after setting his heart on a return to the Premier League when the transfer window re-opens.

Liverpool and Spurs have been made aware of the €17 million-rated striker's availability and NESV will back the manager with funds to strengthen the squad and the former Fulham boss has made signing a striker to partner Fernando Torres his priority.

Spurs made a summer enquiry for Forlan but were put off by the €27m asking price. 

Another new name appearing today is the St Etienne defensive midfielder Blaise Matuidi. 

The French player was linked with Arsenal and a host of other clubs last winter and Liverpool have also been credited with an interest in Matuidi. It appears that English clubs would have an advantage in any attempt to sign the France international.

- The league that would suit me best is the Premier League. This is due to tactical, cultural and physical reasons, and the atmosphere in the stadiums, the player says according to Sky Sports.

Todays most surprising link is to the West Brom midfielder Chris Brunt. 

The 25-year-old Northern Ireland international has produced a string of eye-catching displays at the Hawthorns, and Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson is thought to be keen on bringing the player to Anfield, Givemefootball reports.

The have taken the story from The Belfast Telegraph, who says the player is an £8m target for Liverpool.

- West Brom will be reluctant to let Brunt go but Roy will have money to spend and he’s been impressed by Brunt and the influence he’s had on games this season, a Liverpool source told the paper.

And the most shocking link right now is to Everton midfielder Steven Pienaar.

Pienaar has been unable to agree terms on a new deal, and the Metro reports that new Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson is keen to bring the player to Anfield, according to Givemefootball.

David Moyes could be forced to sell or risk losing the player on a free transfer in the summer, although he has said he'd rather have the player for six more months than sell on the cheap.

PSV midfielder linked

Despite the last-day events in the seeminly endles take-over-saga, transfer stories keep on coming out of the rumour mill.

The hottest prospect the last few days has been the highly rated PSV attacking midfielder Ibrahim Afellay.

The 24-year-old Dutch international has been firmly established in the PSV first team for nigh-on five years now (after making his debut in 2004 at the tender age of 17) and is apparently ready to try his hand in the Premier League.

According to the Daily Mail the player dreams of playing for Manchester United or Liverpool.

Everton and Arsenal have also been linked, but the 24-year-old attacking midfielder said: 'Playing in the Premier League would be best for my prestige. I'd like to play for Liverpool or Manchester United , the top-level prospect for any player.'

Check out Afellay in this video:

• Read more: Afellay profile (Wikipedia)
• Read more: Afellay profile (Sky sports)

Another rumour is saying that Liverpool may sign Villarreal's 26-year-old Brazil striker Nilmar in the January transfer window for £14m. According to caughtoffside.com the striker is on top of Roy Hodgsons wish list.

The 26 year old former Lyon man has been a huge hit in La Liga and has helped his over achieving Castellon side to second place with his fine performances and prolific goalscoring return. Nilmar is currently top scorer in Spain having scored five goals in six matches and has been a regular in the national team set up.

Another front-man who could be on his way to Anfield is FK Partizan's Cleo.

Liverpool have managed just seven goals thus far this season and only two of those have come from recognised strikers leaving Hodgson looking for alternative attacking options. With the issue of ownership of the club looking a lot clearer and the future looking more hopeful the Merseyside club hopes to have funds to reinvest in the coming transfer window.

The Brazilian is valed at around the £12m mark.

Bud på Silva?

Siste nytt om Alonso, Mascherano og Arbeloa. Nytt bud på Silva? To offensive talenter linkes.

Historiene om at Xabi Alonso og Javier Mascherano kan komme til å forsvinne fra Liverpool i sommer vil dessverre ikke forsvinne. Om de to midtbanedynamoene skulle bli borte fra kommende sesong, mener jeg det er et stort slag mot håpet om å ta gullet hjem til Anfield igjen.

Det aller siste om Alonso er at hans agent Inaki Ibanez jobber hardt for å avklare situasjonen, innen 19. juli som Xabi har satt som en deadline. Om ingenting er klart da blir han på Merseyside. Til den spanse avisa AS sier han i følge The Daily Mail at "jeg vet ikke hva som skjer. Nå er det opp til klubbene å forhandle".

I et annet intervju skal han ha sagt at en overgang "ikke er umulig", men at det avstand mellom klubbene hva gjelder vurderingen av pris.

Den britiske avisa melder videre at Real Madrid vurderer å legge inn et samlet bud på £55m for Alonso, Mascherano og Alvaro Arbeloa. Mens avisa Sport i følge TribalFootball mener det samlede budet vil være på £60m.

Dette er imidlertid mindre enn det Benitez vil ha for spillerne sine. I følge avisa vil Rafa ha nærmere £80m for de tre.

Dagens mest oppsiktsvekkende melding kommer fra FootyLatest som skriver at rapporter i Spansk radio slår fast at Liverpool har gjort et konkret framstøt om å kjøpe David Silva fra Valencia.

Meldingen kan tolkes som om klubben har godtatt budet og at det nå er opp til spilleren om han vil forlate Spania til fordel for England og Merseyside. I tillegg rapporteres det at dette gjør Alonsos exit fra Anfield enda mer sannsynlig.

Andre rykter forteller i dag at Liverpool er interessert i det argentinske 19 år gamle spisstalentet Matias De Federico. Nettstedet Sport.co.uk skriver at midtbanespilleren, som kalles "den neste Messi", kan tenke seg en overgang til Liverpool.

- Jeg liker å se Premier League, de spiller svært raskt og jeg tror det ville passe min spillestil godt, sier han.

I tillegg kobler nå nettstedet The New Football Pools liverpool med en overgang for PSVs Ibrahim Afellay. Den offensive midtbanetalentet har blitt koblet med mange andre klubber også, med Arsenal som rapportert mest interessert tidligere. Men etter Andrey Arshavins ankomst på Emirates skal interessen ha dabbet av.

23-åringen er nederlender av marokkansk herkomst og er et produkt av PSVs talentskole og har tross sin lave alder allerede 16 landskamper for Nederland. Han kan spille på begge vingene eller som spiss og kan trolig være en godt offensivt suplement på Anfield.