Bid made for 17-year-old striker?

In recent days I have been busy keeping up with the situation of Roy Hodgson, but could yesterday finally conclude that King Kenny is back!

With Kenny Dalglish finally on board, possibly for the long haul - we can again get back to the real business of this site - player transfer rumours!

Liverpool are launching a bid for Anderlecht superkid Romelu Lukaku.

The Sunday Mirror says Liverpool are hoping £20 million will be enough to land the teen ahead of Chelsea and Real Madrid.

Kop talent-hunter Damien Comolli is understood to have approached Anderlecht about the 17-year-old striker who already has eight caps for his country.

The Reds are pulling out all the stops to sign him – with a £15m initial fee the starting point rising to more than £20m with performance-related add-ons.

That’s big money for Liverpool’s new owner John Henry, head of the Fenway Sports Group, but the Anfield hierarchy recognise they have to start revamping their squad – and fast.

As previously reported by Metro, Ajax star Luis Suarez is said to have told his agent to sound out potential suitors over a move in January - with Liverpool and Tottenham apparently registering their interest - after the departure of Martin Jol from the Amsterdam Arena compounded his current misery.

The Dutch giants have been in inconsistent form of late and - with Suarez currently serving a seven-match ban for biting an opponent - a number of Europe's top clubs have been alerted to his potential availability.

The 23-year-old is thought to be valued at around €27 million but - with Ajax deep in the financial mire - the Dutch club are expected to settle for a reduced sum.

Tuttomercato reported last month that Liverpool had 'made an offer' for Suarez and now, according to Goal.com, €20 million will be ‘enough’ to bring him to Anfield this month, GiveMeFootball claim.

However – despite reports that he would prefer a move to Anfield – Liverpool will have to fight tooth and nail with Tottenham for his signature.

Elsewhere the hottest rumour the last few days is that of Sevilla frontman Alvaro Negredo.

Liverpool are set to launch a summer swoop for Sevilla striker Alvaro Negredo, according to reports, Goal.com claim.

Goal.com Spain can exclusively reveal that the Anfield club are already looking to next season, and maintain the belief that striker Fernando Torres will express a desire to move on next summer.

The likes of Bayern Munich and Manchester United have been linked with a move for 'El Nino', and therefore the Reds are lining up replacements, with Negredo allegedly topping their list of targets.

Torres has after this report however ruled out an exit from Liverpool.

Liverpool are also said to be interested in signing Spurs' versatile defender Vedran Corluka for a fee approaching £8m according to reports.

The Croatian international appears to have fallen out of favour at White Hart Lane and Redknapp may well cash in on the player to bolster his finances as he looks to make his own signings, Sport.co.uk reports.

Liverpool are being linked with an £8m move for the player who is also wanted by Italian giants Juventus but a switch to Anfield could well be on the cards.

Kenny's back, but who's next?

The Liverpool Hodgson nightmare is finaly over! With the FA Cup game against Manchester United coming up, and Hodgson yesterday cancelling the planned press conference. A few hours later he was fired.

 
A punter had even put up a £2.000 bet on Roy Hodgson to be sacked as Liverpool boss, and will today be a happy man...

I want to congratulate the Liverpool FC board with finaly taking the correctdecision. The enormous pressure that was on Hodgson had to end with him leaving. The fact that Kenny Dalglish is back in the manager's chair willhopefully give a boost to the team.

The question is whether the caretaker role is intended to be temporary, or whether Dalglish will remain even after the summer, if he gets good results.  

Say for example that he manages to lift the Reds to a place in the Champions League? Would it then be natural that he again retired - to a place on the board?

Anyway it was a correct desicion to remove Hodgson now. The time had come for the worst first half of the season since 1953/54.

But old heroes are not the way to go for the long-term future. You have to bring in a younger, dedicated manager who can make Liverpool play exciting, attacking football.

An intriguing alternative is emerging National Team Cach for Norway, Ståle Solbakken. The current coach of FC Copenhagen has taken his team to the last 16 of the Champions League for the first time in the history of Danish football.

Right now the most mentioned names for the hot seat in the next season is Andre Villas Boas, Frank Rijkaard, Ralf Rangnick, Jurgen Klopp, Didier Deschamps and Owen Coyle - together with the young Norwegian.

With both Rijkaard and Deschamps saying that they are not in for the job Solbakken is my favorite!

The Hodgson nightmare almost over?

Hodgson sacking just around the corner? Athletic Bilbao midfielder targeted. Liverpool and Real Madrid go head-to-head for Rennes midfielder. Liverpool hold talks with Inter Milan?

While Liverpool supporters all over the world waiting in agony on a press conference saying Roy Hodgson will be sacked, there is rumours all over the internet...

Former Liverpool player John Aldridge today tweeted "A lot of rumours about,expected but my gues is that roy will be gone soon... Then later he also tweeted "still no newz folks.if rh goes i wud expect kd to take over till a top appointment is put in place.then kd on the board". Kd of course meaning Kenny Dalglish.

Today also Facebook-group LFC Transfer speculations said Sky Sports had shown "Roy Hodgson putting several big bags into his car as he left Melwood". 

Soccer Daily tweeted "Rumours buzzing around that Roy Hodgson has parted company with Liverpool. Reports of a press conference at Anfield tomorrow morning TBC".

And one report from Goal.com say 'Roy Hodgson's Liverpool Nightmare Almost Over'...

And so the tension rises... but things happen in other areas too...

According to Sportingo Liverpool are targeting young Athletic Bilbao midfielder Javier 'Javi' Martinez as they bid to rebuild the first team squad.

The 22-year-old has been a regular for the Basque for the past five season's despite his tender years and has won rave reviews for his performances.

Liverpool have held an interest in the player since the days of Rafael Benitez and now it seems that their Director of Football Strategy, Damien Comolli, is also a fan. The Reds have lacked a driving force through the centre of midfield since the deprture of Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid 18 months ago with Steven Gerrard pushing further forward and summer signing Raul Meireles often deployed on the right flank.

A formal enquiry is likely to be lodged with Bilbao regardless of the future of beleaguered manager Roy Hodgson as Martinez is seen as the first step in the reconstruction of Liverpool as they bid to recapture their faded aura.

Liverpool and Real Madrid are going head-to-head for Rennes midfielder Yann M'Vila.

Accoring to GiveMeFootball France Football says Liverpool chief Damien Comolli has been actively making enquiries after M'Vila and his interest in moving to England in June.

Real Madrid, where coach Jose Mourinho has pushed his board to explore the French transfer market more, have also been in contact with Rennes about M'Vila.

Comolli has a good relationship with Rennes and has impressed with his handling of Sylvain Marveaux's Bosman talks.

Rennes have informed Liverpool they want €15m for M'Vila.

Liverpool also apparently have held talks with Inter Milan over the potential signing of Davide Santon.

Liverpool appear to have emerged as the favourites for the teenagers signature, GiveMeFootball report. He is unsettled in Italy after falling out of favour with Rafa Benitez and - despite the former Liverpool boss having departed the San Siro last month - Santon is thought to still be keen on a move to the Premier League.

Indeed, discussions have been ongoing with potential suitors regarding the Italian international - something confirmed by his agent.

Renzo Contratto told Goal.com: "Of course he wants to move to England and he has a number of different options…We have a number of meetings lined up for the coming days with them, we'll know more after that point."

And, according to itasportpress, Liverpool have been 'in talks' the Nerazzurri with a view to bringing Santon to Anfield during the transfer window.

Linked manager 'very interested'

Linked German mananger is 'very interested'. 6ft 8in striker in fresh link. Adebayor for January Liverpool switch? Dutch strikers agent confirms interest. Preston midfielder linked.

Ralf Rangnick.

The rumours regarding who might be the next man in the Liverpool FC hot seat are heating up. The latest man being linked is German coach Ralf Rangnick. He says he is very interested in the Premier League and Liverpool is certainly a very interesting club with a great tradition, according to The Mirror.

Now the speculations also has been taken on by the BBC, which makes it even more credible, with Rangnick's agent talking about the interest.

- He would be interested in Liverpool and it's possible he could manage there, Rangnick's agent, Oliver Mintzlaff, said.

He added:

- There are no negotiations with them, not even a meeting yet, but he is a big fan of the Premier League. If he had to make a decision between the Premier League and staying in the Bundesliga, he would go to England.

Meanwhile Roy Hodgson has underlined his ambition to make changes to the Liverpool squad in the transfer window and 'stamp his philosophy' on the team. Apparently Hodgson would like to add a host of players to his underperforming side.

One of them could be FC Cluj striker Lacina Traore.

Lacina Traore.

According to The Mirror Liverpool are considering a January bid for the player.

The Reds are desperate for another striker to help propel them back up the table after a disappointing first half of the season, and boss Roy Hodgson has now identified 6ft 8in Traore as a possible solution.

The 20-year-old Ivory Coast forward was linked with Arsenal last summer and Fulham and Newcastle are also thought to be interested.

Emmanuel Adebayor.

Liverpool are also understood to have inquired to Manchester City about the availability of striker Emmanuel Adebayor.

The striker has hit the headlines after being involved in another training ground bust-up with team mate Kolo Toure just 24 hours before the pair return to North London to face former club Arsenal.

Adebayor and Toure also squared up in April last year and today's news that City have agreed an agreement with Wolfsburg to sign their £30million-rated striker Edin Dzeko, a former Anfield target, could see the Togo international winging his way to Merseyside, ClickLiverpool report.

City are expected to be willing to accept a reduced price on the £25m they paid for the controversial striker little over 18 months ago.

Ricky van Wolfswinkel.

Another strongly linked player is Ricky van Wolfswinkel. His agent, Louis Laros, has confirmed there is interest from English sides but has urged both Liverpool and Tottenham to make an official approach.

The player looks set to quit Dutch side FC Utrecht and favours a move to the Barclays Premier League, according to Sport.co.uk.

The striker has been in sensational form for his Eredivisie side over the past two seasons, drawing comparisons with Netherlands legend Marco Van Basten, and has attracted a lot of interest.

- At this moment it is unlikely Ricky will move because I have not received an concrete offer from either Tottenham Hotspur or Liverpool, his agent said.

I cannot say at the moment if it is serious interest, an enquiry, or just rumours. We are waiting for calls from both clubs, as we need an official offer from Liverpool or Spurs to proceed.

Adam Barton.

The Mirror also report Liverpool are ready to buy Preston’s Northern Ireland international midfield starlet Adam Barton, building a squad for the future.

The Anfield club have been plotting raids on several youngsters in a bid to return to their old philosophy of grooming top young talent. North End have been asking for £5m for the 19-year-old, but Liverpool hope to lower the price with add-ons.

Highly rated manager linked

German is hottest nanager prospect. Bid made for Dutch winger? Swedish international linked.

These days the vast majority of Liverpool supporters will be waiting in suspense; who will eventually take over as manager after Roy Hodgson? When will there be a press coference? 

Speculations are mounting, with loads of names being mentioned. But right now there is one hot candidate on the radar...

Ralf Ragnick is linked with the Anfield manager job.

Up until now former Barcelona boss Frank Rijkaard  has looked the most likely successor to Hodgson. And reports has said the Dutchman is thought to be receptive to the idea of taking the helm at Anfield.

But now it seems the hottest prospect for the position is German coach Ralf Rangnick, with several reports linking him to the job.

Didier Deschamps unlikely to be tempted?

According to The Daily Post Marseille boss Didier Deschamps, who turned down an approach from Liverpool in the summer, is believed to be their first choice. But the former France international is unlikely to be tempted to Anfield mid season with L’OM still in contention for the French League title and the Champions League.

However, the highly-rated Rangnick is available having quit German side Hoffenheim on Saturday in protest at Brazilian midfielder Luiz Gustavo being sold to Bayern Munich against his wishes.

According to the German media, the 52-year-old former Schalke coach has caught the eye of Liverpool after leading Hoffenheim to back-to-back promotions to reach the Bundesliga for the first time in the club’s history.

His attack-minded brand of football is likely to appeal to Liverpool fans, but a lack of top-flight silverware and a poor record in Europe are likely to count against him.

Other targets mentioned are Andre Villa-Boas, the Porto manager, and Borussia boss Jurgen Klopp. But they are unlikely to be available until the summer, the paper claims.

More interesting reading: Ralf Rangnick – Next Liverpool Manager? (Tomkins Times)

Eljero Elia.

The most promising rumour when it comes to player signings right now is Dutch winger Eljero Elia from Bundesliga side Hamburg.

According to The Daily Mail Hamburg daily newspaper Morgenpost has suggested today that Liverpool have made a bid in the region of £13million for a player who has previously been compared with current Anfield man Ryan Babel.

According to German press he already has agreed personal terms with Liverpool. Elia has made 10 Bundesliga appearances this season, scoring twice. He was a member of Holland's World Cup squad, coming on as a 71st-minute substitute in the final for Dirk Kuyt.

The 23-year-old wide man has fallen out of favour with his current employers after failing to hit the heights of his debut campaign in Germany following a 2009 move from Steve McClaren's FC Twente.

His slump in form has led to reports he would make the switch to Wolfsburg, currently managed by McClaren, in a bid rekindle the form that earned him rave reviews in Holland.

Sebastian Larsson.

A fresh name on the Liverpool stransfer radar is former Arsenal player Sebastian Larsson.

The Sweden international has shone for Birmingham this season, but they have so far failed to agree on a new deal and his current contract is due to expire in the summer.

The former Arsenal man is now free to talk to foreign clubs and could move on a Bosman free transfer in the summer. Atletico have now joined the battle for his signature with Valencia already showing an interest.

However, skysports.com understands a host of Premier League clubs are set to join the chase, including Liverpool, are all thought to be keen on taking him on a free transfer at the end of the season.

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.

Kenny Dalglish to be installed as caretaker manager?

It seems Roy Hodgsons days as Liverpool manager very soon may be numbered.

In an Telegraph "Exclusive" writer Rory Smith reveals that the Liverpool owners are so determined to end Roy Hodgson’s reign, that they will install Kenny Dalglish as caretaker manager.

Before Saturday's game against Bolton Hodgson had spoken to the owners. When questioned whether he had their support, Hodgson replied: "I guess so".

Also he was saying: "They wished me good luck and sympathised with the frustration I must be feeling after Wednesday night".

It seems that might have been the owners last famous pat on his shoulder...

Originaly the owners had hoped to make the first managerial appointment of their reign a permanent one. They are believed to have examined the credentials of a number of candidates, including the Porto manager Andre Villas Boas and Marseille’s Didier Deschamps, the paper reports.

But now it seems they are prepared to delay the search for his long-term successor until the summer and install a caretaker until June, raising the prospect of an emotional return to the club for Kenny Dalglish.

Despite Saturday win over Bolton, Hodgson’s persistent failure to elicit consistent results and performances from his team, as well as the breakdown of his relationship with the club’s fans, has convinced Fenway Sports Group to bring forward their initial plan to review his position in the summer.

Dalglish was hoping to be offered the manager’s job this summer, after the dismissal of Rafael Benitez, informing the club’s then hierarchy that he would happily take charge until owners to replace the despised regime of Tom Hicks and George Gillett could be found. But Hodgson was the choice of Hick & Gillett. 

Now it seems we will finaly might be given another manager at Anfield for the next half of the season. And if my predictions are true, it will be a period of test for the old King of Anfield. If he is successful, he might be given more than that half season...?

Dutch sensation already a done deal?

The recent rumors and reports has said that there is only one player who seems to be ready for a Liverpool transfer this January window.  

A Daily Mail article stated that a deal for Rennes winger Sylvain Marveaux allready is in place.

But now it seems another young, talented player is on his way to Anfield in January...

The FootballTransferTavern says that a deal for 21-year-old Dutch sensation, Ricky van Wolfswinkel "is apparently already a done-deal". 

He has already hit 11 goals in 17 starts for FC Utrecht this season and according to the report he will cost around £8m.

The site also makes a statement to the official LFC site from Roy Hodgson to be about the player.

- As I’ve said to the supporters many times, it’s important that we don’t just get bodies and numbers. We need people who are going to be very good for the long-term future of the club, or players who are definitely going to make a big difference to us in terms of what we’re going to do in the beginning of 2011, Hodgson said.

It remains to see just how much time Hodgson has left as manager of Liverpool FC, but it might be that NESV is bypassing him. It might be that director of football strategy Damien Comolli be responsible for the transfers, without Hodgson really knowing he has no long term role...
 
The Transfer Tavern also states that Hodgson has got his Fulham cap back on, and is preparing for a bidding war with his old club for Crystal Palace’s 18-year-old forward, Wilfried Zaha.

The scouts have already been deployed, and Kenny Dalglish is rumoured to have a hand in this deal, too. Palace will demand a fee of £2m for their man.

The transfer widow will certainly be a busy time at Anfield, and Hodgson has clearly made signing a striker his top priority, having also been linked with Chelsea’s Daniel Sturridge and Bolton’s Johan Elmander recently.

Hodgson's doomed, but who's coming?

Happy New Year to all readers of Murphy's Liverpool!

On the first day of the new year - and of the first day of the Janyar transfer window - it has become clear that NESV are convinced Roy Hodgson is not the man to lead the club forward in the long-term.
They are now actively considering replacing him midway through the season, should the right candidate become available.

At least that is what Rory Smith of the Telegraph has from his sources.

He also claims Tom Werner and John W. Henry, would prefer to make their first appointment a permanent one – seemingly ruling out a return for Kenny Dalglish as caretaker.

They hope to attract a young, ambitious coach to revitalise the club after two years of regression under Hodgson and his predecessor, Rafael Benitez.

According to The Telegraph the new manager needs to be Youthful, Progressive, Adaptable and Successful.

Undoubtedly NESV has a rebuilding process on their hands and apparently is going to kick-start it by attempting to lure Shaun Wright-Phillips away from Manchester City.

This seems strange however, given the NESV policy of bringing in younger talent.

Click Liverpool claims Liverpool hopes to sign the England international now the transfer market has reopened for business.

Wright-Phillips has been told that he will be allowed to leave if a suitable offer is tabled and could join Liverpool for as little as £4million - barely even half of what City paid Chelsea to re-sign him in August 2008, having sold him for £21million three years prior.

Liverpool are according to The Mirror ready to beat Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid to the £15m signing of France star Yann M'Vila.

Director of football Damien Comolli has identified the Rennes defensive midfielder as a central player in the rebuilding of the Reds.

Real Madrid have also contacted Rennes about the player who is under contract until 2014.

Elsewhere the Footballtransfertavern claims Liverpool are close to sealing a deal with Trabzonspor for reported target Teofilo Gutierrez.

The 25-year-old Colombian international striker has been linked with a move to Merseyside since the summer and now it would appear that Roy Hodgson is ready to offer £6million.

The former Junior Barranquilla forward may be a savvy piece of business for the reds, he will be relatively affordable and has had top level experience.

He was also exceptionally prolific in Colombia where hit 42 goals in just 79 appearances and impressed during his time in Turkey.