The next Liverpool FC manager?

Yesterday the somewhat turbulent history of Liverpool FC took yet another dramatic turn.

Kenny Dalglish was given the boot after just 16 months at the helm. After not winning the FA Cup final and ending the Premier League season on a low, with 8. position, winning the Carling Cup wasn’t enough to save him the job. 

Now the race is on to find his successor, and a number of names have been mentioned.

According to Sky Sports Ian Ayre says no one has been contacted about the vacant management job. But who know what’s going on behind the scenes? 

The Independent claims Liverpool’s American owners the past two weeks have made contact with Andre Villas-Boas in an attempt to establish his interest in taking over at Anfield.

- Villas-Boas follows football, but there have not been any official offers for him yet, his agent, Carlos Goncalves told the website Calciomercatoweb.

- If an interesting project comes about then we will certainly take it into consideration, he continued, and wouldn’t Liverpool be just that?

Former Liverpool FC legend John Barnes thinks Villas-Boas would do a good job if appointed.

- His footballing philosophy and his style of play fit. He proved he could win things at Porto. He was at the right club at the wrong time with Chelsea. There were a lot of problems for him there because of the older players. He is a proven manager and he would be coming into a humbler squad than the one at Chelsea if he came to Liverpool, Barnes told The Daily Post.

Elsewhere Dave Whelan has confirmed to The Times that LFC have asked for permission to speak to Roberto Martinez, the Wigan manager.

According to Goal.com Martinez is scheduled to fly to Boston next week to begin negotiations with Fenway Sports Group. They claim Martinez could be confirmed as the new Liverpool manager by next week should talks progress smoothly.

In addition their claim is that Andre Villas-Boas is considered the back-up for Liverpool if an agreement cannot be reached with Martinez.

Other names being mentioned today are Brendan Rodgers, Frank Rijkard and former manager Rafa Benitez.

Liverpool lead chase for midfielder

With Kenny Dalglish’s managerial position still in the balance the Silly Season rumor mill keeps on grinding.

We always want the business to be done as early as possible in the transfer window, but history tells us it can happen any time up until deadline day.

Liverpool keeps on being linked with Rasmus Elm, but the transfer might not go through.

Lately however, the option of signing Wigan midfielder Mohamed Diame on a free transfer also has become a real alternative. According to Sky Sports, the 24-year-old has attracted interest from a host of sides both in this country and abroad, but wants to stay in the UK.

Diame's agent, Willie McKay, explained that the Senegal international enjoys playing in England, and is hoping to stay.

- Momo is one of the best Bosmans around this summer and there are a lot of clubs at home and abroad keen on him, but Momo would like to stay in the Premier League and play for an ambitious club, he told Sky Sports.

- I have met with several Premier League clubs and we are considering all offers, but we have yet to make a decision on where Momo will be going, he continued.

Kenny Dalglish has been strongly linked with a move for the African ace, as he looks to further bolster his midfield options at Anfield during the close season.

According to the Daily Mail Liverpool and Tottenham lead the chase for Diame and a report in the Daily Star reports The Reds are set to hold contract talks with the 24-year-old in the next week

Elsewhere Liverpool is linked with a transfer for Roma striker Bojan Krkic.

TalkSport reports interest for the 21-year-old arrived in Italy from Barcelona last summer.

After scoring just seven goals in 33 league appearances he has struggled to find his feet, but insists he is happy at Roma despite a miserable debut season.

The player - who has been widely regarded as one of the brightest young talents in all of Europe – could come to Anfield this summer, though Bojan insists he remains happy at Roma.

Manager Luis Enrique paid £10m to bring him to Stadio Olimpico, however, after the Spaniard confirmed he is set to leave Roma after only one season, speculation has risen to suggest his compatriot could follow him out the exit door.

Striker deal done? Midfielder deal in the making?

Apparently Liverpool has struck a deal with AZ Alkmaar for midfielder Rasmus Elm. 

A paper, which I will not mention by name, today claims Liverpool have agreed an £8million deal to bring the Sweden international to Anfield this summer.

The report says Kenny Dalglish went out to Holland for a last look at the player, but that he was pulled out of the match day squad due to his wife going into labour. That did however not stop him from sanctioning a deal to take the player to Anfield on a five-year contract worth £40,000 a week.

The former Kalmar man has had a successful season and has scored on ten occasions from his position in midfield. The Elm transfer will be Liverpool’s first of a summer where a number of personnel changes are reportedly set to take place.

Elsewhere another report says yet another player from the Dutch league might be on his way to Anfield. Kenny Dalglish is reportedly interested in signing Luuk de Jong from FC Twente.

The player, who reportedly has been on the Liverpool radar in the past, according to the Metro could be a good addition alongside top scorer Luis Suarez.

His 23 goals in the league this season have attracted a number of European suitors, including Liverpool and Kenny Dalglish. The 21-year-old, with a £12.5m asking price, will be purchased with part of a £20million transfer kitty that will be granted the Liverpool manager this summer, the report says.

… and finaly – an american actor with some class!

Samuel L. Jackson in a Liverpool FC shirt!

Midfielders in demand

Kenny Dalglish innsists that this summers squad rebuilding is on, and that the club needs to replace Damien Comolli.The speculation to how big his transfer kitty actually is has started, but it should be at least £20m plus whatever comes in from selling players. 

Now Liverpool reportedly are, despite signing Charlie Adam, Stewart Downing and Jordan Henderson last summer, launching a £16.3m bid for the Bologna midfielder Gaston Ramirez.

According to Setanta he’s being targeted by a number of top clubs but it looks as though Liverpool have stolen a march on their rivals by making an offer for the 21-year-old.

-          Bologna have received an offer near to 20million Euros from an important club in the Premier League, his agent said.

He has been compared to a young Kaka and a solid temperament would slot in nicely at Anfield with his countrymen Suarez and Coates.

Watch him here:

A new player this week re-appeared on the radar, as Dalglish flew out to France.

According to Insidefutbol Dalglish was in the crowd as Ligue 1 leaders Montpellier visited Toulouse. He is believed to have been watching Toulouse midfielder Moussa Sissoko, a player Liverpool have a long standing interest in.

Also in attendance was Arsenal scout Gilles Grimandi and Bayern Munich general manager Christian Nerlinger.

After the game he comented: 

- I've had contact with English clubs, notably Liverpool, but I preferred to commit myself to Toulouse, the club where I have been educated, to get more experience.

Let’s see what happens over the summer…

Swedish player tops Kenny’s list?

Swedish midfielder for summer rebuild? Dutch and Colombian strikers on the radar.

I have not blogged for nearly a year, but for the coming transfer window I want to get back to the Silly Season action. Kenny Dalglish and his trusted men has had a bad league season, but might just be rescuing it by adding another cup final victory on the fifth of may.

After the Director of Football, Damien Comolli left the club under some suspicious circumstances a few weeks ago, speculations are growing the summer will be an eventful one.

According to reports Liverpool have targeted Sweden international Rasmus Elm for a the summer rebuilding of the side. The 24-year-old midfielder has scored 12 times this season and was watched by top scout Steve Hitchen, says the Daily Mirror.

Despite the splashing of £35 million on striker Andy Carroll in january last year, Liverpool have struggled in front of goal and Elm could help alleviate the burden on the forwards. He has made 22 appearances for his country and is expected to cost around £7m.

Another story sirculating is that of Dutch striker Luc Castaignos. The Milan player apparently already in January was in a meeting with Liverpool staff, but the Italian club nicked him, Voetbal Internatinal reports.

Now clubs from Germany, Portugal and Spain are interested in the striker, along with Liverpool. The reds will have a big battle on if they pursue the interest in the summer.

Another striker on the radar is Colombian striker Jackson Martinez. Earlier Sky Sports has claimed the 25-year-old has insisted that he could be in line for a move to England. Liverpool are showing a strong interest, whilst Everton, Sunderland and Wigan are also believed to be keen, the report said.

The hitman, who plays for Mexican outfit Jaguares, has declared interest from both Liverpool and F.C. Porto.

-  I am not in any advanced negotiations with Liverpool or Porto but I know they are personally interested, he told Nuevo Estadio, according to Kop-TV.com.

- I have not spoken to anyone and that goes for my club and my agent. In the next few months thinks should be finalized, he added.

This summers 'marquee' siging?

Okey, so I've been away from the blog for quite a while. I was tired of it and there has been to much to do around the house.
But for the last few days I've been eager to get back to writing about rumours and gossip from the Silly Season that has just begun.

One transfer even got through the Shankly Gates before I got back to the keyboard. Today it was confirmed on Sunderlands website that the club have agreed a fee with Liverpool for the transfer of Jordan Henderson.

Check out Henderson arriving at Melwood:


Reports say the price is about £16m with add on installments, and that David Ngog is going the other way.

But who's the next player coming in?

The Daily Mail claims the next player on King Kenny's list is Charlie Adam, one of the most reported Liverpool transfer targets during the january window.

He is to be followed by Blackburn's talented defender Phil Jones. In addition Ipswichs Conor Wickham is, according to the paper, to be found at Anfield come august.

Earlier reports say Liverpool have theire fingers in the italian club Roma for goalkeeper Alexander Doni. According to Football Italia Sky Sport 24 makes the claim, adding that it is now up to the Brazilian whether to accept the move or not.

This has today been confirmed by his agent Ovidio Colucci, The Daily Telegraph reports.

Allt this is well and good, with young british talents and an experienced backup keeper for Pepe Reina. But where is the 'marquee' signing of the summer? The player that can go straight into the first 11 and strengthen the squad? That has the experience to change the game?

In may Guillem Balague reported an intrest from Liverpool for Valencias Juan Mata, with a reported price tag of about £25-30m.

Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool have contacted Mata`s representative (his father) and the trio have all expressed varying degrees of interest in the player`s situation. Mata`s new contract contains a buy out clause of €60 million, but that will always be negotiable if both the player and the club are willing to listen to offers, Balague writes.

More to follow... guaranteed!

Bundesliga striker linked with Liverpool transfer

Here is a summary of the last day's most interesting transfer rumours:

Freiburg's star striker Papiss Demba Cisse admits Liverpool are a 'dream club', but he is happy at Badenova-Stadion, Sky Sports reports.

The Senegal international has been linked with a move to Anfield, despite the signings of Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll, while Fulham and Birmingham were also reported to be considering a bid last summer.

Cisse has scored 16 goals in the Bundesliga this campaign to also attract interest from within Germany, although Wolfsburg were not prepared to meet Freiburg's reported valuation of £12.5million in the January transfer window.

The 25-year-old has said in the past that he is committed to his current club, but he has also admitted his admiration for Liverpool after watching compatriots El Hadji Diouf and Salif Diao move to Merseyside in 2002.

Cisse said when asked about reported interest from Anfield:

- I am delighted with my season.

- Liverpool is a dream club. Salif Diao and El Hadji Diouf have played there. But to be honest I am happy here at the moment.

- But you never know in football. Things can develop quickly.

The Honduran Celtic player Emilio Izaguirre has seen his profile rise quite dramatically this season, and is apparently a Liverpool summer target.

It is no wonder that Liverpool are alleged to be monitoring the defender, who has now been compared to Tottenham whiz Gareth Bale by Parkhead teammate Joe Ledley, GiveMeFootball reports.

- They are similar, said Ledley – an international teammate of Bale’s – when asked about the similarities.

- I have played with both of them and both have qualities.

- Gareth Bale is one of the best players in the world at the moment.

- Emilio is quick, good on the ball, has composure and has a good cross in him.

- It’s great to have him at the club and hopefully we can keep him.

The Daily Mail reported last week that Liverpool were keeping tabs on the 24-year-old and the Anfield club have been tipped to launch a summer move.

Click Liverpool has since reported that Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish was at Ibrox two weeks ago to watch Izaguirre in action in the Old Firm derby and Celtic are now said to be willing to consider bids in the region of £8 million for the Honduras international.

Liverpool target Moussa Sissoko has revealed his desire to play in the Barclays Premier League, although he is currently content with continuing his development at Toulouse.

The 21-year-old has grown into an integral member of Toulouse's side since being handed his debut four years ago and his commanding displays in Ligue 1 have seen him marked out as a future star.

A tough-tackling midfielder, Sissoko is a full France international and continues to attract interest from potential suitors, with Liverpool known to have been monitoring his progress, GiveMeFootball reports.

The Parisian admits to being flattered by the interest Liverpool have shown in his signature and - while continuing to harbour ambitions of a move to England - Sissoko is fully focused on life in France.

- I would be delighted if one day I am lucky to join a big English club, he told France Football.

- But I don't think about it so far. I had contacts with English clubs, notably Liverpool, but I preferred to commit myself to Toulouse, the club where I have been educated, to get more experience.

But Liverpool is not the only club following the France international. It has also been reported that Manchester United are eyeing Toulouse midfielder Sissoko.

But according to the Daily Mail Liverpool are poised to beat Tottenham and Manchester United to the signing of the France midfielder.

One player that came close to a Liverpool transfer in January is Blackpools Charlie Adam.

Now it is being claimed that he will reject a move to Tottenham in order to secure a switch to Liverpool.

Now, according to The People, Adam is hoping to land a 'dream' move to Liverpool in the summer and is prepared to snub Tottenham's advances to realise his Anfield ambition.

The 25-year-old handed in a transfer request last month in an attempt to force a transfer to Anfield after Liverpool had an offer rejected by Blackpool put the Seasiders stood firm.

Despite the persistence of Liverpool director of football strategy, Damien Comolli, the Reds never came close to Blackpool’s valuation of Adam – believed to be around £10 million – but Spurs did match the price on the head of the ex-Rangers midfielder.

Spurs, however, registered their interest too late - reportedly missing out by a number of minutes - but the White Hart Lane club are expected to reignite their interest when the transfer window reopens.

It has been reported that Blackpool will sell Adam in the summer - even if they remain in the Barclays Premier League - and Liverpool and Spurs are unlikely to be the only clubs interested in his signature.

Another player that is back on the radar is Barcelona striker Bojan Krikic.

The 21-year-old currently finds himself on the fringes of the Barca first team and appears to have little chance of displacing free-scoring trio Lionel Messi, David Villa and Pedro in Pep Guardiola's first choice XI.

Bojan has started just six times for the Catalan giants this season and speculation surrounding his future at the Nou Camp has increased in recent weeks with Liverpool reported to be pursuing his signature.

Spanish publication Sport initially claimed that Liverpool were considering a €20 million summer move for the out-of-favour Spaniard and El Mundo Deportivo has since alleged that Spurs and Arsenal are also interested.

Now, according to Marca, Liverpool director of football strategy Damien Comolli is 'confident' that he can convince Barca to allow Bojan to move to Anfield with a season-long loan deal now being suggested, GiveMeFootball reports.

Liverpool are known the be in the market for attacking reinforcements and the deal for Bojan wold represent quite a coup for the Anfield club.

Copenhagen defender Oscar Wendt is a summer transfer target for Liverpool reports talkSPORT.

Reports in Sweden claim the 25-year-old international left-back currently tops the list of proposed replacements for Kenny Dalglish’s well known problem position after a series of impressive performances in the Champions League this season.

Wendt has also earned rave reviews in the Danish Superliga which has attracted the attention of other European heavyweights Bayern Munich and Barcelona, but Liverpool remain optimistic of bringing the player to Anfield.

The super Swede is available on a free transfer at the end of the current campaign when his Copenhagen contract expires, and as a result Wendt is free to sign a pre-contract agreement with any club he wishes.

Three links and two surprises

Liverpool football chief Damien Comolli's position is apparently coming under intense scrutiny.

The Daily Mail says, when Kenny Dalglish is confirmed as the permanent Liverpool manager, insiders are standing by for a power battle with director of football strategy Comolli. Dalglish has an old-school managerial attitude of liking to be in sole command, the paper claims.

So how he copes with Comolli will be an intriguing sub-plot, especially as Dalglish has expert knowledge himself of European football.

With, or without him, the club will be looking for reinforcement this summer, and these might be some of them...

Liverpool's search for young British talent has seen them monitor Preston North End's Adam Barton, reports the Daily Mail.

The 20-year-old is currently plying his trade at the foot of the Championship but his displays have attracted the attentions of scouts from Anfield. The Merseysiders have watched him several times this season in his attempts to stave off relegation for the Lancashire club and are mulling over a summer move for the player.

Barton, a Blackburn-born Northern Ireland international, could be set to become the next youthful addition to the squad as manager Kenny Dalglish looks to bolster his midfield options.

He is valued at £2.5m.

The Mail also reports that Liverpool are weighing up a summer bid for Barcelona forward Ibrahim Afelay, according to reports in Spain.

Affelay joined the Catalan giants from PSV for a cut-price £1.85m in January after the Dutch side faced up to losing Affelay on a free transfer in June, but he has struggled to make an impact at the Nou Camp.

And Liverpool have emerged as front-runners to sign the 24-year-old Holland international, with the Reds said to be preparing a £8.5m bid, according to Spanish daily AS.

Liverpool are weighing up a move for Lyon's Michel Bastos.

Manager Kenny Dalglish's priority in the transfer market is acquiring a left back with the position becoming something of a problem for the Merseyside club.

Emiliano Insua was shipped out last summer after failing to find any consistency while Paul Konchesky's six months at Anfield was an unmitigated disaster and he was eventually loaned out to Championship promotion hopefuls, Nottingham Forest. Glen Johnson has been filling in admirably despite ostensibly being a right back and a specialist is wanted to patrol that area effectively.

Several names have been mentioned but one that is slowly rising to the top of the list is Bastos, Sportingo reports.

The 27-year-old has impressed French observers since arriving in Ligue 1 in 2006 where he became a fixture for Lille, scoring and setting up goals from left back. An €18m move to Lyon in 2009 has given him the chance to showcase his talents to a Europe-wide audience in the Champions League and his displays have caught the eye of many.

The most surprising report the last days is one of John Arne Riise, that might move back to Merseyside.

It seems that 30 year old defender John Arne Riise could move back to Liverpool at the end of the season, though the Norwegian international seems attracted by the idea to end his career in the U.S. Footballpress.net reports.

And - by the way - could this be our next away shirt?

Wing wonder wants Liverpool move

Reports keeps coming that Liverpool allready have agreed the signing of Rennes winger Sylvain Marveaux on a pre-contract agreement.

Marveaux has already revealed that he will depart Rennes in the summer after 10 years at the club, with many reports suggesting that he has already agreed to join Kenny Dalglish’s Liverpool revolution.

Marveaux was heavily tipped for a January move and another player that has been mentioned regularly the last couple of years is Galatasaray’s highly regarded attacker Arda Turan.

According to several reports Liverpool will this summer hope to lure him to Merseyside. Kenny Dalglish and Damien Comolli have earmarked a move for the adaptable playmaker as they seek to bring in effective creative options to help boost the club’s attacking prowess.

On the subject of a possible move to Liverpool the pint sized Turkish international has made it clear he would be very interested by stating “As I always mention, Liverpool attracts me because of their tradition. In Europe, I am a Liverpool supporter, so if I go to play in Europe, I would like to play for them”, Caughtoffside reports.

Also linked with the likes of Chelsea and Spurs, the lithe Turkish midfielder is one of the most highly-regarded prospects in Europe and would surely be a welcome addition to the English game.

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Galatasary are reportedly ready to listen to offers for his services when the transfer reopens in June and his agent suggests a summer move is a distinct possibility.

“He can only go to one of the top five clubs in the Premier League," said Ahmet Bulut, according to the Daily Star. "If he gets an offer from one of them, then of course he will want to play there”.

Another name that keeps coming back is that of Ibrahim Afellay.

Liverpool are, according to TalkSport, keeping an eye on his situation at Barcelona, with the Dutchman struggling to make an impression at the Nou Camp.

Afellay moved to Barcelona in January having been coveted by Liverpool, Everton and Arsenal, but opted to go to Spain.

But he has since failed to break into Pep Guardiola's team and has not made a single appearance in La Liga.

Liverpool are monitoring Afellay and will tempt him with an offer this summer if he fails to turn his fortunes around, TalkSport claims.

Elsewhere, highly rated Feyenoord winger Georginio Wijnaldum is a transfer target for Liverpool reports insidefutbol.com.

The 20-year-old midfielder is one of the hottest prospects in Eredivisie and has attracted the attention of a number of leading European clubs including AC Milan, and Real Madrid.

But it is Liverpool who have registered the firmest interest with sources in the Dutch media claiming Anfield scouts were in the stands to watch the Feyenoord ace in action against Heracles in a recent league encounter.

"To follow in the footsteps of Dirk Kuyt would be sensational. He triumphed at Feyenoord and has had great success at Liverpool", he said last year.

Wijnaldum is a product of the youth system at De Kuip and made his senior debut for the outfit as a teenager back in 2007.