Transfer Speculation kicks off at Liverpool once again!
Posted by Akzoony in Liverpool, Transfers | 21 April 2006
In the past I have always been content to just keep a weather eye on what was happening behind the scenes at Liverpool during the close season and during the January transfer window. I’ve always been able to keep tabs on who the current manager has his eye on and at what stage the negotiations are at with very little effort.
Since the start of Rafael Benitez’ reign however, this bi-annual, gradual drip of transfer information has changed out of all recognition.
In the last week alone I have come across links with Raul, Ronaldo, Victor, Mexes, Pennent, Bent, Defoe, Aimar, Joaquin, Simão Sabrosa, Kuyt, Barnes, Fabio Aurelio, Daniele Bonera, Borja Oubina, Ludovic Giuly, Fernando Torres, Sergio Aguero and David Villa. And there are many, many stories about each of these, both denying and backing-up each, further muddying the water.
My favourite one from this week has been the case of Victor; the Deportivo Right winger who we were linked with back in January. There have been reports that state a deal has been done, others that claim he’s not interested and Deportivo are still keen to keep him. There was even one claiming we have agreed to pay £4 million for a player who, to the best of my knowledge, is out of contract as soon as the window re-opens!
Now some of this can be put down to press speculation, as well as the fact that since the Rafalution took place Liverpool seem to be linked to every Spanish player that looks disgruntled.
However the vast majority of it seems to be emanating from numerous sources linked to the club in some way.
I can’t help but smile therefore when Rafa states (as he does on numerous occasions) that he will not speak about any player he is interested in out of respect to both the player and the club.
I’m positive he means what he says, as respect and good relationships are a vital part of football, and it also doesn’t do to alert other teams to a player’s availability in the way that we found about Momo Sissoko last summer. However there has to be a certain irony to this statement as it is clearly the Rafa mis-information machine that is churning out all these rumours.
Mourinho and Ferguson’s heads must be spinning, as both would love to make it difficult for us to get our hands on the final pieces of the puzzle to make Liverpool serious challengers next year.
But what do they do? Put counter bids in against a dozen new players a week?
In the past we used to only need to keep a weather eye on things. These days the only thing we can be sure of is, the player Benitez is really after will be the last one we think he’s after! And I don’t know about you but that’s a thought that brings a smile to my face!
Finally, after digging through all of the above stories I have to say that the only two that are looking likely to me at the moment are Fabio Aurelio (who according to some reports is right on the verge of signing a pre-contract with us) and as already mentioned Victor who seems to be quite keen if we keep up our interest.
Just don’t tell to Mourinho!!!
