Lille striker back on the LFC radar

It has today become clear that the former owner of Liverpool, has not won the legal battle to seek damages over the sale of the Premier League team in the USA.

Any claim for damages will, as it stands, still have to be carried out through the British courts system.

One of the hottest January transfer targets is back on the radar....

It appears Liverpool are lining up a £10m move for Lille attacker Gervinho this summer.

The Ivorian has 18 months to run on his contract, and Lille feel now is the right time to cash in on their 23-year-old star, TalkSport claims.

Liverpool director of football strategy Damien Comolli made a personal trip to France at the weekend, with his sights set on an Ivorian striker.

Comolli attended the Toulouse v Lille match in Ligue 1, with reports in the French media claiming the Liverpool chief was monitoring the striker.
 
A source close to Gervinho has confirmed Liverpool interest:

- He has been watched and there is interest from Liverpool. We will have to wait until the summer to see what happens.

A host of Premier League clubs including Tottenham and Newcastle are also thought to be in the market for Gervinho.

Gervinho has also been heavily linked with a move to the Emirates in the past, with Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger reportedly considering a move for the player in the summer.

Dalglish is keen to continue strengthening in several core positions at Anfield, and despite spending big money on two forwards is thought to be in the market again for another striker.

Another name that has been mentioned before is Ghana midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng. He has now emerged as a summer transfer targets according to reports in both the Italian and English press, according to Kickoff.com.

Reports say Liverpool have made an informal offer for the 23-year-old midfielder with a view to a £12.5million transfer.

But any deal to take the Ghanaian to Anfield will be complicated. Boateng is jointly-owned by Genoa and Milan and the Milan giants are not keen on selling him.

It was current Liverpool Director of Football Damien Comoli, who instigated the deal that took Boateng to Tottenham Hotspur from Hertha Berlin.

Boateng spent two frustrating seasons at White Hart Lane before moving on to Portsmouth.

Talksport claims Tottenham and Liverpool have been put on red alert after Wolfsburg revealed they are willing to sell highly-rated Danish defender Simon Kjær in the summer.

The 21-year-old has received rave reviews for his performances in the Bundesliga this season and has earned 15 caps for Denmark.

Reports in the German press claim Liverpool had a bid turned down by Wolfsburg in the January transfer window, but the Reds and Spurs are still monitoring the £10m-rated centre-back.

It is thought that Steve McClaren's old club will use the money to try to sign Werder Bremen defender Per Mertesacker as a replacement.

And it might happen, like the TransferTavern claims that Martin Skrtel might be on his way out.

A replacement for Konchesky in the summer?

As Paul Konchesky is out on loan with Nottingham Forest and Glen Johnson is playing out of position, Liverpool most likely will be looking for a new left back in the summer.

Today's most mentioned transfer rumour involving Liverpool FC, is without a doubt Newcastle United defender Jose Enrique.

According to the Daily Mirror, Liverpool Director of Football Strategy Damien Comolli was at Ewood Park to watch the left back in Newcastle’s 0-0 draw with Blackburn Rovers. The Spanish defender’s contract is up at the end of the seaon, the paper claims.

However, Magpies fansite newcastleunited-mad.co.uk say talks to extend a contract, which will have only 12 months left to run at the end of the season, have been postponed at the player’s request.

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Magpies boss Alan Pardew has admitted that talks have stalled over a new deal:

- Jose’s situation is simple: he’s made it clear that he won’t talk to us until we’re safe. What are we now, 32 points? Well we’re not safe, are we? So that makes the situation clear and, to be honest, it makes a lot of sense for both him and us, he tells the Mail.

- He is an outstanding player and we know that. He is an important player for this team because a lot of our play goes through him. He is involved in a lot of the good stuff that we do and I thought he was superb (against Blackburn). In terms of technique and impact, I thought he was the best player on the pitch by some distance.

Comolli will be looking for a player to fill Liverpool’s problem position at left back and the Reds may trouble Newcastle again in the summer after purchasing Andy Carroll for £35m.

Enríque has previously stated he would like to spend the rest of his career at Newcastle – but so did Andy Carroll.

Elsewhere, apparently Liverpool are preparing an £8m bid for Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge as the Merseyside club looks to further strengthen their strike-force.

The England Under 21 international is currently on loan at Bolton and has impressed with his opening performances for the Trotters, netting three goals in his first three matches.

Having already brought in Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez, boss Kenny Dalglish and Director of Football Damien Comolli are keen to bring in further youthful additions as the club plans for the future and Liverpool were said to be close to bringing in the youngster as part of the deal that saw Fernando Torres join Chelsea and will return to the West London club in order to land Sturridge in the summer, Caughtoffside reports.

The former Manchester City man has made just one Premier League start for the Blues and after his spell at Bolton comes to a close the youngster will be reticent to sit back on the Chelsea bench, biding his time waiting for his team-mates to fall prey to injury or loss of form to propel him into Carlo Ancelotti’s first team plans.

If an offer came in for the Birmingham born 21 year old then Chelsea may not stand in the way of a sale of a player who is very much a bit part player at the club.

Two winger options for the summer?

In the summer it is highly likely Liverpool will look for options on the wings. Especially with Caroll's presence in the middle, and his height, the passes from  the sides will be crucial.

Right now the two most likely options seems to be Ashley Young on the right and Sylvain Marveaux for the left.

The Aston Villa winger however has other suitors aswell. Manchester United will return for the Villa winger after having a £15m bid rejected last month, The Mirror reports today.

Young has been linked with a transfer to Liverpool for a long time, starting last summer, but “We had an interest in one player and I thought we had a chance of bringing him in, but the other parties involved were not ready and so we have put it away until the summer”, Ferguson told the paper.

Youngs contract runs out in 2012 and he is balking at signing a new deal.

Marveaux was heavily linked with a move to Merseyside in the January window, and his name keeps on being mentioned for the future.

The prospect of signing one of the most exciting talents on a Bosman alerted a lot of clubs including Liverpool, Chelsea and Newcastle.

However, Marveaux was believed to be preferring a move to Anfield. His attendance at Anfield for the match against Wolves in the beginning of January had led most people to believe that he is set to sign on the dotted line for Liverpool, according to The Bleacher Report.

Reports are emerging that Damien Comolli has just concluded talks and a pre-contract for Marveaux joining Liverpool in July has been agreed upon, they claim.

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti also was rumoured to be lining up the Rennes winger Sylvain Marveaux to replace Florent Malouda next season.


The 24 year-old is currently injured, but his great record of 10 goals from the wing for Rennes last seaso.

It is believed that, despite signing Marveaux, Liverpool would go for Ashley Young in the summer along with signings in defense (especially a left-back) and a central midfielder.

Liverpool to renew interest in Real Madrid striker?

After the draw against Wigan Kenny Dalglish blamed the internationals for his tired Liverpool.

There is little doubt the club is going to reinforce it's squad in the summer, and today there is one very exciting rumour appearing.

Liverpool reportedly had a bid turned down for Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema late on deadline day.

Despite playing regularly for Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid, Karim Benzema has struggled for form this season and has been linked with a move away in the summer to either Aston Villa or Manchester United.

Benzema was unable to leave the Bernabau in January after Real Madrid’s injury crisis left the young French forward as the club's only recognised fit striker at the club.

After Madrid signed Manchester City’s Emmanuel Adebayor to ease their striker crisis it is thought that the club were willing to let the former Lyon forward leave, only for time constraints to stop Liverpool from pushing the deal through.

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Although Liverpool were able to sign Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez on deadline day, it is thought the club are still likely to renew their interest in Benzema as the club's new owner, John W. Henry, is keen to see the Merseyside club once again challenging for top honours, Goal.com claims.

Elsewhere, Marseille defender Taye Taiwo has revealed that he is ready to quit the French club after refusing to sign a new contract with the Champions League club.

The Nigerian international will be available on a free transfer at the end of the season, putting Liverpool and Tottenham on high alert as the Premier League clubs search for a talented left-back, Sportsvibe claims.

The 25-year-old has drawn interest from a number of clubs due to his impressive performances in Ligue 1 where he has scored three goals in 16 league appearances.    

Taiwo will draw even more interest now that it is apparent there will be no transfer fee involved, although it is claimed that he is already in talks with a European club.

- I have made the decision not to sign a contract extension. I want to change clubs in June, Taiwo told The Nation.

- My agent and I are in advanced talks with a club from one of Europe's top three leagues and I expect to reach an agreement in the near future.

First summer transfer secured?

A report claims Liverpool's first summer signing may already be secured...

According to the FootballTransferTavern, Liverpool appear to have won the race to sign Sylvain Marveaux after Comolli reached a successful ending to talks over the weekend.

The Frenchman is available on a free after his current contract is due to expire with his current club Rennes. He will become a Liverpool player come July 1st.

Marveaux was widely tipped to make the transfer in January, but nothing happened.

The transfer will represent quite a coup for Comolli and Liverpool as they managed to fight off a number of top Premiership and European clubs for his signature. Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal have all had the player watched in the past but it is believed Liverpool is the players preferred destination.

The international can play in a number of positions including left back and through the middle of midfield but it is on the left wing where the player feels most comfortable. It is hoped the 24 yr old can provide the width Liverpool so desperately need, quick and a good crosser of the ball, he is seen as an ideal threat to assist Suarez and Carroll.

Transfer target states 'I love Liverpool'

A defensive player being hotly linked with Liverpool in the January window seems to be back on the radar for a summer signing...

Liverpool defender target Fábio Coentrão has had a £25 million price tag placed on his head.

The Portuguese international has been heavily linked with a move away from Benfica, with Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish thought to be one of the managers interested in bringing the player to England, GiveMeFootball reports.

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Coentrão himself has previously expressed a desire to ply his trade at Anfield, expressing his admiration for the Merseysiders last month when they were linked with a move.

“I love Liverpool,” the full back was re-quoted as saying on Live4Liverpool.

Manchester United are also thought to be keen on the player, with Sir Alex Ferguson reportedly monitoring the 22-year-old for several season now as his stock rises at the Portuguese Liga champions.

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.

Serie A playmaker on Liverpool's transfer radar

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Eight potential summer signings?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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