Liverpool with official winger enquiry

A few eventful days at Anfield today culminated with the unveiling of new manager Kenny Dalglish and new head coach Steve Clarke .

I wish them both good luck with the task they have before them - it is enormous!



Dalglish under today's press conference hinted that there may be no transfer business in January - with tis window being a 'difficult market'. But anyone who knows this business knows he will keep his cards close to the chest...

Today's big buzz was the rumour regarding the possible transfer of Luis Suarez, with tweets saying things like "Luis Suarez has flown in to JLA and will sign for Liverpool tomorrow - Pending medical". But yet nothing has materialized.

Today's most concrete rumour is about Valencia winger Pablo Hernandez.

Liverpool are reportedly set to make a move for the Spaniard,  who is said to be frustrated at the lack of first team opportunities on offer with Los Che and is now looking elsewhere for more regular football.

According to The Mirror, this has alerted Liverpool to his availability and The Transfer Tavern now reports the Anfield club have made on 'official enquiry'.

Yesterday it was claimed by Goal.com that Liverpool are set to launch a summer swoop for Sevilla striker Alvaro Negredo.

Now Talksport say Liverpool have been given the green light to make a £17m offer for Sevilla striker Alvaro Negredo.

Negredo, 25, has been attracting interest from a number of top clubs following his impressive displays in La Liga. Liverpool are keen to bolster their forward line and give some much needed support to Fernando Torres who looks well below his best this season.

Kenny Dalglish has just taken charge of first-team affairs but the club have been working hard to bring new faces into the squad.

Reports in Spain suggest that Sevilla would not block a sizeable bid for their star forward and would consider a £17m offer.

Dalglish is set to seal a move for Benfica left back Fabio Coentrao as his first signing in January, according to reports.

The new Reds boss wants to bring in a replacement for Paul Konchesky, one of Roy Hodgson’s high-profile flops, to improve their defence, GiveMeFootball claims.

Alongside Damian Comolli, Dalglish has amended Liverpool’s January transfer wishlist, which now includes Ryan Shawcross and Ricky van Wolfswinkel at the top.

Coentrao is one of the best full backs around and would be a significant coup for Liverpool and possibly signal signs of better things to come for the remainder of the season.

Rumours coming out of Ipswich Town have suggested that Kenny Dalglish’s Liverpool have recently had scouts sniffing around their star striker, Connor Wickham according to the Footballtransfertavern.

Liverpool are said to have had their boys out to watch the 17-year-old starlet in recent matches and a bid of £10million would be enough to secure the striker’s services.

At just 17 he has been tipped to become a real star for the future with interest from Tottenham and Arsenal. However, then manager, Roy Keane, was unwilling to let the youngster go and even announced that should Wickham leave that he would have been ‘lynched’.

Following the termination of Keane’s deal with Ipswich, the door has been left open for the 17-year-old. Offers will now go through the board and a large bid for the player could turn some heads.

Liverpool will face a battle if the club is to win the signature of reported transfer target Johan Elmander.

Corriere dello Sport reports that Italian side Fiorentina are weighing up a January bid for the Sweden international as he continues to stall over new contract with Bolton, GiveMeFootball report.

Elmander is Bolton's record-signing after joining the club from Toulouse for around £10m in 2008, and the 29-year-old has been in magnificent goalscoring form this season.

His performances have led to the Trotters launching a surprise assault on the Champions League places and have also reportedly caught the eye of Liverpool director of football strategy Damien Comolli.

However, Bolton boss Owen Coyle has attempted to ease fears that the Swede would be moving to Anfield, but admitted that Elmander would be crazy not to consider joining a club the size of Liverpool.

- If it was a club of a similar size to Bolton I believe he would stay here. If an elite club came in Johan would be crazy not to think about it, he said.

World Cup star newcomer on the Liverpool transfer radar

Today's rumour mill consists mainly of old rumours growing stronger or weaker. But there is also one new name coming through to the radar...

Apparently Liverpool are leading the race for Werder Bremen’s World Cup star Per Mertesacker.

The 26 year-old centre-back, is now on the Kop radar after director of football Damien Comolli made a ­personal check on him before Christmas. Bremen are ­prepared to sell the 26-year-old following their exit from the Champions League – but have told any interested clubs that the bidding will start at £10m, The Mirror claims.

Comolli watched ­Mertesacker in action as ­Werder suffered a 2-1 home defeat to Kaiserslautern on December 18 in their final Bundesliga game before the German winter break.

He recommended Liverpool should make a move for the Germany international.

But Liverpool are also keen to balance their books by ­shipping out a central ­defender to make way for the highly-rated German. They will look to cash in on Daniel Agger before they make a move for Mertesacker.

Agger is being touted around ­Europe after being told he can leave Anfield following his fall from grace under manager Roy Hodgson. (Daily Mirror)

More: 10 things you need to know about Per Mertesacker

The Mirror also reports that Liverpool are ready to bankroll bids for Stoke City’s Ryan Shawcross and Aston Villa’s Ashley Young.

Comolli has lined up a bid for Young, fighting Manchester United in the £15million race, while he and Hodgson watched centre-half Shawcross in action last week. But United could also mess up that deal – they have the first option on Shawcross, a former reserve at Old Trafford.

The Anfield regime are looking to invest in the best young British players. Top target is England Under-21 striker Daniel Sturridge, who has told Chelsea he wants to go to Liverpool on loan after making just two league starts in two seasons at Stamford Bridge.

Young’s camp know that Liverpool want him even if Hodgson goes so that deal could go through despite any possible managerial upheaval in the next few weeks.

One rumour that is being renewed is that Roy Hodgson is keen on signing Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner.

The Danish international has been linked with a host of clubs as reports suggest that he may look for a move due to a lack of first team opportunities at the Emirates, claims Caughtoffside.

The powerfully built 22 year old received his first Premier League of the season a few days ago and he went on to score a goal in the game at Wigan. The likes of Lazio and Fulham have both reportedly made enquiries about signing the big striker and Arsene Wenger may well consider offers for Bendtner given that he is low down in the Arsenal pecking order.

Valued at around £8m Nicklas Bendtner is in his fourth season in the first team picture and is no nearer to getting regular first team football and may well be tempted by a move to Merseyside.

Another familiar name that again apparently is relevant on the radar is highly rated and versatile midfielder Keisuke Honda.

It is believed that the Japanese star had agreed a verbal agreement with the club during the latter stages of December and will finalise a move to Anfield within the January transfer window, KopSource claims.

Despite Honda being one of CSKA Moscow’s most consistent players this season, reports suggest that the 24-year-old has not taken to life in Russia after a £6M move to the club last January.

And Damien Comolli looks set to pounce upon the players situation after being impressed with the Blue Samuri’s performances and abilities.

The fee reported, believed to be around £15m, would be a snip for a player of his calibre; not to mention the revenue that would be made from shirt sales in the very lucrative Far East market. It has been said that Honda is the number one most recognisable footballer – pushing Brand Beckham into number two.

Liverpool would have to sell between 300,000 (£13.5M) and 400,000 (£18M) LFC Jerseys in Japan for Honda’s transfer fee to pay itself. And with Japan having a population of 127 million, the figures look very achievable.

Liverpool and Birmingham City are keeping tabs on Watford's teenage striker Marvin Sordell, The People Report.

The 19-year-old has came through the ranks at Vicarage Road, scoring nine goals this season - including against Portsmouth yesterday - and has caught the eye of top-flight clubs including Brum and Liverpool.

Sordell was sent out on loan to Tranmere last season to gain first-team experience and made flying to start to this campaign after being given a chance by Hornets boss Malky Mackay.

Liverpool in Fanni talks?

Roy Hodgson has insisted Liverpool won't buy players in panic in the January transfer window.

He is though keen to add new players to his squad, but not wholesale changes. But there is little doubt there will come some changes, and it seems some changes allready are in the making...

According to RMC in France, Liverpool are chasing Rennes full back Rod Fanni.

The Reds’ Director of Football Strategy Damien Comolli is said to have held talks with Rennes president Pierre Dreossi over a possible move for the full back to Anfield.

French Ligue One leaders Marseille have also been said to be interested in the player  but have been put off by Rennes’ asking price for the player.

29 year old right back Fanni, who has also been linked with Everton and West Ham in the past, has played 103 league games since joining from Nice in 2007.

Another deal that seems one of the more likely is that of Niko Kranjcar from Tottenham.

And according to Sportingo Liverpool lead Everton in transfer race for the Croatia internationa.

The Croatia international joined Spurs less than 18 months ago from Portsmouth but has found appearances limited this season thanks to the form of Gareth Bale, Luka Modric, Rafael van der Vaart and Aaron Lennon.

Harry Redknapp is allowing him to leave in the New Year out of respect for a player he deeply admires and the two big clubs on Merseyside are both keen to take him on.

Everton were the first to make a move but are only interested in a loan deal at this stage of the season due to a lack of funds. If he is still in London next summer then the Toffees are likely to return with a firm offer.

However, Liverpool want Kranjcar now as they bid to strengthen their playmaking options and are expected to bid around £4m in January to pip their local rivals to the post.

Rumour has it that Liverpool are after Newcastle United centre-back Steven Taylor, together with city neighbour Everton.

The former England under 21 captains contract is due to expire in the summer and he is becoming frustrated with the lack of negotiations to re-new it, FootballTransferTavern reports.

Something which will be further highlighted by the sacking of first team boss Chris Hughton.

The news of Liverpool and Everton’s interest will only work in his favour when he does finally sit down with club officials. Roy Hodgson is said to be a long-term admirer of Taylor and would be more than prepared to part with his £2 million valuation to make him a Liverpool player, as he looks to sturdy up a somewhat questionable back line.

News of Taylors agent Paul Stretford visiting the United training ground to re-open discussions , are likely to move the Mersey clubs interest along and if there is still a stumbling block over the increase of his £40,000 a week salary both will be ready to pounce come January

One new name on the radar is Ipswich striker Connor Wickham.

The 17-year-old has been earmarked as a future England great and is being monitored my a number of Premier League clubs as he continues to make great strides in the second tier of English football.

Now, according to the Daily Mail, Liverpool will attempt to test Ipswich's resolve by offering £10m for the teenager as the Reds' owners look to build a squad for the future at Anfield.

Wickham is understood to be a Liverpool fan - citing Fernando Torres as his hero - so is thought to be keen on a switch to Anfield should the opportunity arise.

A deal for Wickham would represent a significant coup for Liverpool and serve as evidence of New England Sports Ventures fulfilling their promise of bringing exceptional young talent to Anfield.

Another report though says Wickham favours Arsenal or Tottenham.

Another striker on the monitor this monday is Fulham's attacker Clint Dempsey. A report from Caughtoffside says Hodgson is keen to lure him from his old club in January.

The former Craven Cottage boss has earmarked a move for the American and the poor start to the season under new boss Mark Hughes may lead the 27 year old to consider a move away from the west London side, the site claims.

The £10m rated Texan can play in a number of positions in the final third and now in his fifth season in the Premier League he has shown what he is capable of and arguably has outgrown the Cottagers.

A not very likely rumour to go through, if you're asking Murphy...

When it comes to another reported target - Wigan Athletic winger Charles N'Zogbia, Hodgson reportedly has been on a scouting mission.

Hodgson was at the DW on Saturday to make a personal check on the France winger. N'Zogbia emerged from the 2-2 draw as man-of-the-match.

Also on show for Hodgson was Stoke City captain Ryan Shawcross, another in Liverpool's sights, TribalFootball reports.

Shawcross to replace Carragher?

Following Jamie Carraghers lengthy spell on the sidelines, it is believed Roy Hodgson will be strengthening the Liverpool squads defencive parts in january.

According to SkySports Liverpool are weighing up a January move for Stoke City captain Ryan Shawcross.

Sky says Liverpool are targeting a move for Shawcross as they look to bolster their defensive options.

Hodgson are drawing up a list of targets as they look to bring a new centre-half after losing Jamie Carragher to injury for three months and Shawcross is thought to figure highly on their wish-list.

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Liverpool were thought to have originally been eyeing a summer move for the £10.5 million-rated centre-back but, after the long-term layoff of Anfield hero Jamie Carragher, they are now believed planning a January bid.

Shawcross has established himself as one of the best young defenders in the country after catching the eye with the Potters over the last couple of seasons.

Reds boss Roy Hodgson has made a new central defender his top target in the January transfer window and he could move for Shawcross if the funds are available to bid for the 23-year-old.

An old transfer target returns to the radar: This time it seems Liverpool will face competition from Genoa in the race to sign Spurs winger Giovani Dos Santos.

The Guardian reports that the Italian outfit are close to landing the player, leaving Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson with a decision to make over a potential move for the player.

Still only 21-years-old, Dos Santos has 34 caps to his name for Mexico after making his debut in 2007. At the time the player was at Barcelona, but moved to Spurs the following year for a fee in the region of £5 million.

With only 10 White Hart Lane appearances to his name, Dos Santos has spent time on loan at Ipswich and Galatasaray in an effort to get first team football, and Liverpool were linked with a move for the player in the summer.

Whether Harry Redknapp would be willing to sell to a Premier League rival is unclear, but Liverpool will first have to concern themselves with Genoa as the Serie 'A' outfit look to intensify their interest this month.

One of the reported transfer targets Murphy personaly would like to see arive Anfield in January is Real Madrid's Karim Benzema.

 But obvious enough Liverpool would not be the only suitor for the out of favour striker. Now Arsenal have allegedly entered the race for the Real Madrid striker.

The Frenchman has struggled to make an impact since joining Los Blancos from Lyon for €32 million a year ago, although he has recently been given a run in the starting XI by Real boss Jose Mourinho.

Liverpool have been heavily linked with a move for the 22-year-old in recent weeks as the Anfield club search for another goalscorer to take the burden away from Fernando Torres.

But, should Liverpool step up their interest in Benzema, they may now have to battle with Arsenal after Mediaset reported he is the north London club's 'no.1 target'.

Arsene Wenger has a reputation for being frugal in the transfer market, but he is allegedly prepared to break the bank to bring Benzema to Arsenal, GiveMeFootball reports.

Benzema would certainly provide Arsenal with an added cutting edge, but whether the Gunners will bid for him in January remains to be seen.

A completely new name on the Liverpool transfer rumour mill is Racing Genk striker Jelle Vossen.

He has scored 14 goals in 11 Belgian pro league games this season, and Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson is thought to have started monitoring the player.

A 21-year-old with five international caps to his name already, Vossen came to prominence during a loan spell at Cercle Brugges last season, with Roma, Aston Villa and Everton all thought to be interested.

However, reports in Belgium suggest that Liverpool are keenest to make a move for the player, according to GiveMeFootball.

It is thought that a bid in the region of €9 million would be needed to take Vossen away from his homeland.

Hazard interest confirmed

Today Liverpool FC have announced plans to launch International Football Academies across the world.

But even if Liverpool wants to develop new talent in the long term the transfer rumour mill of potential purchases in January still is running hot.

Lately Eden Hazard has been appearing on the Liverpool transfer radar a lot of times. Also, before Liverpool's new owners, and Damien Comolli came in, his name constantly came up.  

The strategy of buying young promising players to the offensive midfielder fit nicely into, as he is only 19 years old, but already an established U17 international for Belgium.
 
Liverpool Echo claims that Hazard is a Liverpool transfer target. Roy Hodgson and scout Laurent Viaud had their eyes on the player, when he helped send Lillle to the top of Ligue 1 on Sunday.  
 
Hazard would have a price tag of £18m, but the reds will according to the Echo have hopes of his signature promising first team action.

Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson has been put on alert after Joan Capdevila reached contract stalemate with Villarreal, The Daily Mirror reports.

The paper remarks that the Spain international is looking for a two-year contract extension, but the Primera Division outfit are hesitant to hand the 32-year-old a deal that lasts over 12 months.

Capdevila's contract expires next summer, and with the Yellow Submarines seemingly unwilling to meet his demands, it is thought that the World Cup winner could be in line to make a Bosman transfer to the Premier League.

Ther former Atletico Madrid and Deportivo full-back, who has missed just five matches in four years from the Madrigal club, is allegedly close friends with the Reds' goalkeeper and international colleague Pepe Reina, and it has been suggested that the defender could be tempted by an offer to head to Anfield for free.

Capdevila was also linked with a move to Serie A giants Juventus during the summer window, but opeted to remain in La Liga.

Karim Benzema reportedly wants out of Real Madrird and Jamie Redknapp is urging Anfield owners to purchase the 22-year-old Frenchman.

Benzema wowed the English crowd last week when he scored for France against England at Wembley last week. Such a performance has prompted Redknapp to urge the Reds to go after the young striker.

- Liverpool need a striker and they should look no further than Karim Benzema, the former Liverpool midfielder wrote in the Daily Mail.

- He played this game like it was his personal audition. He's started only one league game for Real Madrid this season and we could all see last night that he is better than that. Benzema enjoyed his night and put on a bit of a show.

- The new Anfield owners have their first challenge: sign him, he added.

Benzema joined Real for around €30m, but could reportedly be available to Liverpool at closer to €12m.

Elsewhere, Liverpool look set to make an offer for Stoke defender Ryan Shawcross after Tony Pulis declared his interest in Mauricio Victorino, according to the Metro.

The Uruguayan international is keen on a move to the Premier League but it leaves the door open for Shawcross to move on.

The former Manchester United defender has been linked with a move to Anfield for some time now but Tottenham and his former employers could throw a spanner in the works.

Liverpool, though, have moved into pole position even though a centre back is not one of Roy Hodgson’s priorities right now.

But the Liverpool boss will be hoping he can sign the 23-year-old for a knockdown price in January and will be hoping Pulis brings Victorino to the Britannia Stadium.

Sir Alex Ferguson could make a move to re-sign his former academy starlet, though, and a moved to Old Trafford could be too hard to resist for Shawcross.

Liverpool have also reportedly joined the race to sign Japanese international playmaker Keisuke Honda.

The versatile CSKA Moscow player, who is comfortable in wing or striking positions, is thought to be considering a Russian Premier League exit with Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson one of the managers thought to be keen.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was heavily linked with the player in the summer after a series of complimentary comments during the World Cup, but Liverpool have now joined the chase for the player.

Player agent Kees Ploegsma told Sport.co.uk:

- When a big club comes in he will want to leave but at the moment that has not happened.



- A lot of managers will be watching him after he played so well at the World Cup - now they can watch him more for CSKA and hopefully they will decide to try and do something in January.

CSKA are reportedly considering cashing in on the player, and Liverpool are set to challenge AC Milan and the Gunners for the player's signature.

Happy days!

So I'm back, and this time in English only. The Murphys Liverpool-blog has been around since february 2007. 

The last few months I've had a break. It's been busy for me, moving and getting married! But now I'll be back bringing you the best headlines from around the web about Liverpool FC! 

I will continue to have emphasis on rumors and speculation about the purchase of players and the ownership situastion.

It's been an eventful period for the club since thel last time I blogged. It seems the days of Hicks & Gillett may be numbered - and what a relief! The prospective new owners - it seems to me - are a very much better solution than the texans. 

John W. Henry, principal owner and Thomas C. Werner, chairman of New England Sports Ventures (NESV) are about to start a new reign for the Anfield outfit. And the news of them being given a personal tour of Arsenal's Emirates stadium in a bid to learn about the sustainable financial model, is a very positive thing! 

The Arsenal model of running a Premier League club has shown, in a convincing way, that it is good for stabilizing the economy. And that is truly something Liverpool is in big need of.

Sport.co.uk writes: NESV, owners of MLB franchise Boston Red Sox, were shown around the Gunners new arena and state-of-the-art London Colney training ground three weeks ago by chief executive Ivan Gazidis as they weighed up their bid for Premier League rivals Liverpool.

There is only one stumbling block left before Liverpool has the new owners installed. The Premier League today gave the go-ahead for New England Sports Ventures to complete a takeover of the club.

Acording to The Guardian this means only the high court action by the current owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett stands in the way of the £300m deal by the American company, owners of the Boston Red Sox, going through. 

But - and there still is one but - Liverpool could still come under administration, with the Royal Bank of Scotland's deadline for the repayment of £237 million looming on October 15. But that is far more better than Tom Hicks hanging on to the ownership.

- It could happen, yes. This is all part of why it is important that we made the decision on Tuesday to accept one or the other of the two very acceptable bids. Heading for administration was a very likely outcome if we didn't, Liverpool chairman Martin Broughton told ESPN Soccernet.

But to me it seems Broughton has won the most important battles of them all - getting rid of Hicks & Gillett, one way or another. 

Thank you mr. Broughton!

Some of the latest player speculations: 

Liverpool have joined the race to sign Bayer Leverkusen striker Stefan Kiessling: Liverpool to rival Fulham for German strike ace

Liverpool are preparing a move for Mainz star Lewis Holtby in January: Liverpool to make winter move for £9m Everton fan

Roy Hodgson seems to be interested in Stoke City centre-back Ryan Shawcross with a potential £10 million move to Anfield: Roy Hodgson targets £10m Ryan Shawcross 

More: Ryan Shawcross 'on Liverpool's transfer wish list'  

Liverpool is linked with St Etienne’s Dimitri Payet: A winger that could be the answer to Roy’s prayers? 

Liverpool chasing danish players Emil Larsen, Kim Aabech and Lasse Rise? Liverpool Prepare to Make Move for £12m Trio of Nobodies? 

Is Milan Jovanovic about to leave Liverpool FC in january? Jovanovic hints at Reds exit 

Liverpool have joined the race for the signature of highly rated Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko: Liverpool In Chase For Bundesliga Hitman As Hodgson Lines Up Replacement   

More: £30M Dzeko Key to Liverpool & Manchester City Transfer Plans