Bayern Munich striker bid confirmed

 On the day that it emerged that former Liverpool owner Tom Hicks will go to court in a bid to lift orders preventing him from launching damages claim over Liverpool FC sale, both fresh and familiar faces are on the transfer radar.

Liverpool had a January offer for Bayern Munich striker Mario Gomez rejected, it has emerged.

BBC Sport reports that Chelsea also made a move for the German, but Bayern resisted the temptation to sell Gomez, with the Blues then switching their attention Fernando Torres.

Gomez, 25, moved to Munich from Stuttgart in 2009 for a Bundesliga record fee - reportedly in the region of €35 million - but struggled to make a significant impact during his first season at the Allianz Arena.

This led to speculation that he could leave Bavaria after just one year, and speculation was rife in the summer that Liverpool had tried to secure his services on a season-long loan deal.

Indeed, the player soon confirmed that Liverpool had made contact with Bayern over a proposed deal.

Liverpool will make a surprise approach for AC Milan’s Kevin-Prince Boateng.

The former Portsmouth player transferred to San Siro last summer in a complicated co-ownership deal with Genoa after impressing for Ghana in the 2010 World Cup finals, helping the Black Stars to the quarter finals in South Africa.

He has proved popular at Milan with coach Massimiliano Allegri selecting him regularly until he was sidelined with a thigh injury sustained on a mid-season tour of Dubai.

The Reds have monitored his progress and believe he has matured from the erratic player that could be either sublime or ridiculous while at Pompey, Sportingo claims.

Virtuoso displays were often coupled with selfish performances or acts of petulance and his last act on English soil was to miss a crucial penalty in the 2010 FA Cup final against Chelsea when the scores were 0-0 just minutes before Didier Drogba scored the winner for the Londoners.

Still only 23, Boateng has a bright future and one that Liverpool want to be part of but whether Milan would be willing to sell is another matter entirely.

Liverpool are ready to further bolster their attacking options by landing Napoli hitman Ezequiel Lavezzi in the summer.

Director of sporting strategy Damien Comolli has identified Lavezzi as the next striker on the club’s wish list, TalkSport claims.

The Argentina international has formed a lethal partnership with Edinson Cavani this season with the pair hitting 23 goals in 24 games between them in Serie A. But, according to reports in Italy, Liverpool are now lining up a big-money bid for the 25-year-old who is valued at around £20m by Napoli.

Liverpool are reportedly ready to reignite their interest in Spanish youngster Sergio Canales.

The 19-year-old joined Real Madrid last summer – spurning the chance to move to Merseyside, according to Goal.com – but has struggled to make an impact on Jose Mourinho’s side.

Spanish publication, Onda Cero, has since claimed that Real were willing to let the attacking midfielder leave the Bernabeu and, now, caughtoffside.com reports that Liverpool have registered their interest.

Despite his lack of first team action – and the reported interest from Liverpool – Canales is more than happy to remain in Madrid and fight for his place, commenting that he continues to enjoy the experience with Los Blancos.

"It's complicated when you don't play all the time, but this is Real Madrid," he said.

"I am very happy with how the fans greeted me. The crowd seemed to feel much affection for me, which is important to me.

Liverpool also will look to lure Birmingham winger Sebastian Larsson in the summer, according to reports by Mirror Football, CleenSheetsAllRound claims.

The Sweden international was rumoured with a move to Manchester City in the January transfer window and with his contract set to expire at the end of the season, a move away from St Andrews is practically a certainty.

“It has been a strange January for me, I’m not going to lie,” he said to The Mirror. “I’m going to be honest – at one stage it didn’t seem at one point that the club knew what they wanted to do to me.

“I’m not criticising them, I’m just telling the story how it was. It’s not an ideal situation for me but the window is closed now and I have said all along that I’m happy where I am.”

Larsson is expected to quit St Andrews when the window reopens, with Aston Villa, Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United all set to make him offers.

Kenny Dalglish apparently wants the 25-year-old midfielder at Anfield, and the Scot would be confident of beating Aston Villa, Blackburn and Newcastle in the race for his signature.

Gomez in swap deal?

Rafa Benitez is apparently fighting to hold on to his Inter Milan job. Now he says the club haven't had it so good for 20 years.

Roy Hodgson feels the Liverpool side he inherited from Rafael Benítez is starting to feel like his own. But the manager says he needs to bring in his own players like Harry Redknapp at Tottenham Hotspur.

Maybe this one will be one of them?

Accoring to Sportingo Liverpool will use Bayern Munich's interest in full back Glen Johnson to further their pursuit of striker Mario Gomez.

The Germany international has been a revelation this season for the Bavarian giants, scoring 12 times in the Bundesliga and six times in the Champions League including a hat-trick against CFR Cluj. He has even netted for his national team as his dream campaign continues.

Liverpool were interested in signing Gomez in the summer and had looked into the possibility of taking him on loan, a suggestion that brought an angry response from Bayern director Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.

With the Reds still keen on acquiring another striker, they will only have been encouraged but the player's recent displays though the German club are now even less happy to lose him.

However, that could change depending on their level of interest in Johnson. Bayern are in the market for full backs and seem to have decided that Merseyside will be the focus of their attention with Everton's Leighton Baines also being considered.

Johnson has had a falling out with Reds boss Roy Hodgson which could hasten his departure from Anfield and Liverpool will allow him to move to the Allianz Arena as long as Gomez is included in the deal.

Liverpool are again being linked with a "SHOCK" move for former striker Peter Crouch.

The 29-year-old left the Reds for Portsmouth for a reported fee of £11 million in 2008 after three eventful years at Anfield.

But now it appears Liverpool are considering bringing the Spurs star back to Merseyside as they search desperately for striking reinforcements.

It had initially been reported by the Daily Star that Liverpool were keeping tabs on the England international and now, according to caughtoffside.com, Spurs would be willing to entertain offers of £10-12 million for the ex-Southampton forward.

The Liverpool boss has frequently admitted his intention to bring more potent attacking options to Anfield when the transfer window opens in order to ease the burden on Torres and Reds captain Steven Gerrard.

Hodgson will reportedly have upwards of £20 million to spend next month on new recruits as he and NESV aim to transform fortunes at Liverpool.

Arsenal and Liverpool are weighing up bids for Southampton teenager Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – but have been told it will take “Theo Walcott money” to get him.

Goal.com UK understands that the Barclays Premier League big-hitters are seriously considering an offer for the England Under-18 attacking midfielder, who is the son of former England international Mark Chamberlain.

But Southampton are ready to dig in their heels and demand a £10m fee for a player who club insiders rate as better than Walcott at the same age.

- A lot of the big clubs are watching Alex but it will take serious money to get him, a Southampton source told Goal.com UK.

- The coaching staff rate him higher than Walcott at the same age and the club have sorted out their financial issues so are not under any great pressure to sell him for a knockdown fee. It will take Walcott money to get him.

A player that keeps coming back on the transfer radar is Manchester City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips.

Now, according to caughtoffside.com, Liverpool are ready to table an offer of £5 million for the former Chelsea speedster.

Wright-Phillips joined the Londoners for £21 million from City in 2005 before moving back in the opposite direction three years later after struggling to make an impact at Stamford Bridge.

However, the England international has failed to feature regularly at City under boss Roberto Mancini and the Eastlands side are reportedly ready to entertain offers for the out-of-favour attacker.

This has put Liverpool on red alert as they look to draft more potent attacking options to Anfield in January in order to ease the goalscoring burden on Fernando Torres.

Hodgson will reportedly have upwards of £20 million to spend on new recruits when the transfer window opens as new Liverpool owners NESV look to back their manager in the transfer market.

Gomez interest confirmed

Today Glen Johnson again is linked with a move away from Liverpool. This time it is Real Madrid that apparently is interested in the defender.

He is back on Real Madrid's radar after details emerged of a bust-up between Jose Mourinho and his vice-captain Sergio Ramos, The Daily Mail reports.

Reported Liverpool target Mario Gomez' agent says he expects interest in the January transfer window.

Sport.co.uk understands that the Bayern Munich forward is attracting interest from top European clubs ahead of the January transfer window with the player’s representative expecting enquiries for the striker.

Gomez, 25, is being tracked by Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, and Juventus following a difficult start to the Bundesliga campaign with Bayern Munchen having onlu recently broken into the first-team following an injury to Miroslav Klose.

The German international is highly regarded as one of Europe’s most prolific marksman following his 35 million euro move from Stuttgart to Bayern Munich in 2009.

Despite recently being given more game time by boss Louis van Gaal Gomez is being monitored closely by the aforementioned trio, but despite interest there has been no formal offers. However the player’s agent does intimate that it is still early to talk about transfer gossip.

Oliver Mintzlaff told Sport.co.uk:

- Mario Gomez is one of the best strikers in Europe, the best German striker, and the best in the Bundesliga. There is no concrete interest, but it is early, we expect interest. But even with Mario at the moment, it is quiet.

Reported Liverpool and Arsenal target Karim Benzema is now also on the radar of Juventus.

According to Il Corriere dello Sport the Italian giants will attempt to sign the Real Madrid striker on loan for the rest of the season in what would represent a blow to his Premier League suitors.

The 22-year-old joined Real from Lyon for around £30 million in 2009 but failed to live up to expectations during his first season at the Bernabeu.

His poor form had led to growing speculation that he would soon leave Spain and, despite a recent turnaround in fortunes for the France international in Madrid, it has been claimed he could still leave Los Blancos should their demands be met.

Liverpool and Arsenal are said to both be monitoring the Frenchman with a view to making a move in January and Real are reportedly willing to accept offers of around £15 million for his services.

But - along with Juventus - Liverpool will allegedly have to battle with with Arsenal in the race for Benzema after Mediaset reported he is the north London club's 'no.1 target'.

David Bentley looks likely to end his nightmare stay at Spurs in January, and is hopeful of securing a move to Liverpool after reports of interest from manager Roy Hodgson, according to Metro.

Bentley, who is still just 26, wants to leave White Hart Lane after falling out of favour with Harry Redknapp in a bid to reignite his flailing career.

And the former Blackburn and Arsenal star has identified Anfield as his first-choice destination amid speculation that Hodgson is considering a bid in the region of £5million to take him to Merseyside.

Bentley has shown flashes of his talent since making the move back to London from Ewood Park in a 2008 deal thought to be in the region of £17million.

However, he has failed to justify his price tag and remains on the fringes of the first team behind several of the club's other creative stars including Luka Modric, Aaron Lennon and new signing Rafael van der Vaart.

Hodgson is desperate to add a specialist winger to his squad and believes for the price he is expected to command during the transfer window, Bentley represents a bargain.

The former England international has started just one Premier League game all season, and his exorbitant wages at Spurs mean the former Fulham manager believes he can play hardball in negotiations over the player's transfer value.

According to the Daily Mirror, Liverpool, along with Stoke, Fulham and Aston Villa are queueing up to sign Manchester City left back Wayne Bridge.

The former England international is not part of Roberto Mancini’s first team plans after he bought Aleksandar Kolarov for £19million from Lazio in the summer and is expected to leave Eastlands in January. 

Stoke are said to be leading the way for the 30 year old as Potters boss Tony Pulis is believed to be lining up a loan bid in the New Year. 

Bridge has two years left on a £70,000 per week contract, after joining from Chelsea in January 2009.

Liverpool’s hopes of signing Rennes right-back Rod Fanni have been given a boost, Imscouting reports.

The news is that a proposed move to Marseille looks likely to fall through.

Fanni is one of the best right-backs in the French top division and has forced his way into the French national team over the past couple of years, making five appearances for them so far.

The attacking-minded defender has been watched closely by Liverpool of late, with Roy Hodgson travelling to France to watch him play against Auxerre last month.  With Hodgson having had a public disagreement with Glen Johnson recently, speculation increased over Fanni's arrival at Liverpool.

However, Marseille have also been linked with Fanni for some time and indicated a few days ago that they expected to tie up a deal for the 29-year-old.

Now, the French champions have revealed that they have been unable to push through a deal for Fanni, leaving the door open for Liverpool.

Marseille chairman Jean-Claude Dassier told RMC:

- Today we can only be pessimistic, Fanni's agent is being irrational and it is doubtful a deal will now be done. I can't see any way it could be completed, except if the player decides to manage himself in a reasonable way.

A name that comes back on to the transfer radar of Roy Hodgson today is Benfica winger Fabio Coentrao.

He was a reported target under Benitez, but now it seems he is back, with GiveMeFootball today reporting on a potential bidding war between several clubs.

Manchester United is a new club in the race for the player that has been monitored by some of Europe's elite in recent seasons.

AC Milan have reportedly earmarked the versatile left sided player, who can play in defence or midfield, as a potential successor to Paolo Maldini, and are poised to move for the player.

This news could spur Manchester United into showing their transfer hand, with the Old Trafford club still keeping an eye on the situation.

Real Madrid, Chelsea, Manchester City and Juventus are, like Manchester United, also thought to be keen on the player, whilst Liverpool have long been admirers of the players ability.

Hodgson is keen to strengthen his squad, and with question marks over the form of Paul Konchesky, Liverpool could make their move in January. They are the outsiders, though, it is reported.

Another transfer target Liverpool apparently also have to fight against Manchester United to get is Valencia winger Joaquin.

TalkSPORT suggests the Spain international - also a reported target for Liverpool - could be tempted to leave Valencia for Manchester.

Sir Alex Ferguson is allegedly a keen admirer of the 29-year-old and has apparently identified him as the man to replace the injured Antonio Valencia at Manchester United.

However, the Manchester United boss will reportedly have to fight with Liverpool for his signature as Roy Hodgson looks to add more cutting edge to his side in January.

A transfer battle between Manchester United and Liverpool would make for fascinating viewing for the neutrals as each side looks to improve their respective squads.

The Liverpool boss has admitted that his side rely too heavily on the goalscoring talents of Anfield hero Fernando Torres and, hence, is understood to have identified his attacking department as the most in need of reinforcement.

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.

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.