Other transfer news

[DingDong]

Steven Gerrard yesterday revealed that he has discussed Liverpool's transfer activity with the club's new manager Rafael Benitez.

Gerrard, the club captain, pointedly remarked earlier in the summer that he would expect four new signings to be in place when he returned from Euro 2004. That was during the spell in which the England midfielder was seriously considering his future at Anfield after a season that saw an underperforming Liverpool side sneak into the Champions' League qualifiers and finish 30 points behind the Premiership winners Arsenal.

But, although so far Liverpool have only signed Djibril Cissé and Josemi, Gerrard claims that he is happy with the situation. "I am not worried that the squad lacks strength in depth," Gerrard said. "We had a good squad before we made these signings and it is has been improved with Cissé and Josemi.

"I've spoken to the manager about the situation and he's said if the right player becomes available to improve the team further then he will go out and get him, which is good news for everyone."

After witnessing Benitez's influence on the squad, Gerrard believes that a more realistic title challenge can be mounted next term.

"Liverpool fans will always have these expectations, given the proud history of the club and I think especially so now that we have a new manager, new coaching staff and a couple of new signings," he said. "We are aware that the expectations are high but it is the same within the team. The nearest I have been to winning the league is when we finished second, but even then we were not that close.

"It has been frustrating, but going into this season I'm really excited and I feel we can get a lot closer. I think we have to become more of a team. I think we have to work harder for each other. Also, we have to learn more tactically and learn to be more consistent.

"But just from watching the boys in training since I came back, there seems to be something there that has been missing in the previous five years. Hopefully the boys will show that hunger throughout the season."

On his own performances, Gerrard admitted: "The manager has told me he still wants me to be the leader but he also thinks I have still got a lot to learn and I do myself. I am still only 24, so I am young and I think I can get better as a player if I listen to the manager and do the things he wants me to."

Meanwhile, the Liverpool midfielder Anthony Le Tallec has joined St Etienne on a one-year loan deal, without the option to buy, the French Ligue 1 newcomers said yesterday.

Le Tallec, a France Under-21 international who can also play as a striker, joined Liverpool in June 2002 but spent his first season on loan to the French side Le Havre. The 19-year-old made 23 appearances for Liverpool on his return to England last season, scoring once in an early Uefa Cup game. "I wanted people to see me and to be able to play for an entire season. I think at St Etienne I will have the chance to do that," Le Tallec said.

[DingDong]

LeTallec
Liverpoolfc.tv can confirm that Anthony Le Tallec's loan deal to St Etienne has been completed today after the two clubs finally agreed terms on Wednesday morning.
French starlet Anthony Le Tallec yesterday spoke about his proposed move back to France for a year to gain more first team experience at St Etienne.

St Etienne actually held a press conference to announce the arrival of the player before all the papers had been signed which explains why quotes appeared from both the player and the French club before the deal could be 100% confirmed.

The France U21 international did not travel with the team to the United States after Rafael Benitez told the player he would be prepared to loan him out for the season to increase his chance of playing regular football.

Le Tallec arrived at Anfield last summer after spending time on loan at Le Havre but despite proving popular with fans, the 19-year-old only made 23 appearances, scoring one goal in the process.

"I wanted people to see me and to be able to play for an entire season," claimed Le Tallec of the move. "I think at St Etienne I will have the chance to do that."

St Etienne do not have an option to buy the player once the loan deal ends on June 30 2005.

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Luis Garcia
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez could be ready to return to Spain to make his second signing of the summer with Barcelona winger Luis Garcia reported to be on his wanted list.

Benitez is keen to bolster his midfield options having lost Vladimir Smicer to long-term injury and is exploring transfer targets.

Liverpool are reported to have made enquiries for Garcia about a possible loan signing for the season.

Garcia's first team chances seem limited following the arrival of Deco and Ludovic Giuly at Camp Nou.

Benitez is a big fan of the 26-year-old and tried to sign him when he was in charge of Valencia.

Garcia, who is predominantly a left-sided midfielder, can play in a variety of positions and would add options to Benitez's team.

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Gravesen
Liverpool are interested in signing unsettled Everton midfielder Thomas Gravesen, according to reports.

Cash-strapped Everton are understood to want £3.5m for the 28-year-old, who has one year left to run on his contract.

But a Goodison Park spokesman insisted: "We've heard the rumours about Gravesen but the manager is keen to keep him."

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez wants to bolster his midfield after injury ended Valdimir Smicer's season and Steven Gerrard aggravated his hamstring.

If Gravesen did move across Merseyside, Everton could use the money to step up their interest in West Ham midfielder Michael Carrick.

Portsmouth, Crystal Palace and Everton boss David Moyes are all in the chase to sign the highly-rated 23-year-old.

Everton manager David Moyes said: "Michael Carrick is one player we would certainly be interested in if we had the money to buy him.

Gravesen might welcome a move to Anfield as he has become frustrated with Everton's failure to strengthen their squad ahead of the new campaign

[The Rule]

Don't want Garcia or Gravesen

[SFCIan]

It would not suprise me if Liverpool put in a bid for Carrick him and Gerrard in CM would be good

[DingDong]

Originally posted by SFCIan
It would not suprise me if Liverpool put in a bid for Carrick him and Gerrard in CM would be good

personally i'd prefer aimar and gerrard, but carrick isnt a bad choice...

[DingDong]

Diouf
WHEELER-dealer Sam Allardyce is chasing his most audacious move yet by trying to net Liverpool's £10m misfit striker El Hadji Diouf for nothing, reports the Manchester Evening News.

Bolton today confirmed that Allardyce has switched his search for another front man from Blackburn's Dwight Yorke to the 23-year-old Senegalese star who played in the 2002 World Cup.

New Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is so desperate to get rid of Diouf that he has denied him a squad number and left him out of the club's North American tour.

The Anfield club are willing to take a £7m loss on the player signed by Gerard Houllier from French club Lens in 2001.

Even that would be too rich for Allardyce who wants to test his reputation for rescuing misfits and fallen stars by taking Dakar-born Diouf on a season's loan.

It is in Bolton's favour that the player has two years left on his contract and doesn't want to leave Merseyside.

But Diouf's best chance of proving that he has a future at Liverpool is to do the business down the road at the Reebok.




i wont mind letting him go on a loan deal... at least he wont be in the club...

[The Rule]

i'd rather sell him than loan him, we need to get some money in.

[DingDong]

Danny Murphy has completed his 2.5 million move to fellow Premiership club Charlton Athletic ending a seven year association with Liverpool.
Murphy becomes the second player to leave Anfield permanently this summer after Markus Babbel's departure to Germany.

Murphy was signed for Liverpool by Roy Evans from Crewe Alexandra for 2.5 million in 1997 and after 249 appearances for the Reds scoring 44 goals departs for pasteurs new with Charlton.

Charlton manager Alan Curbishley, speaking on the Addicks official website said: "Danny is a player we have been tracking for some time, but he only became available last week.

"We moved in straight away and, although he was publicly linked with other clubs, we were always confident we would sign Danny. The fact he has chosen to come here over a number of other Premiership clubs is an endorsement of what we are trying to achieve at Charlton.

"I also believe the fact that Charlton have signed an England international from one of this country's biggest clubs shows our tactics in the transfer market are paying off.

"We have remained patient and stayed focused on bringing in the type and quality of player we have always felt we needed."



sigh... always admired him... he was a good backup to hamman and gerrard, and could play on the right ok... ::weird::

[Pennywise]

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is chasing Real Madrid super-kid Juanfran.

The midfield starlet has been a long-term target for Benitez, who approached Real about the teenager when he was coach at Valencia.

Juanfran has been added to Real's senior squad this season and also attracted a formal enquiry from Chelsea last January.

[The Rule]

He's a right winger isn't he?? maybe we'll get him as well as Eto'o in the Owen deal. how good is he?

[Pennywise]

He can play both right and left wing.

He works hard, he is a typical Benitez wing with both offensive and deffensive qualitys. He won EC U19 this summer, and he has already played for Real Madrid in La Liga.

Juanfran is one of the biggest talent in Europe, and Benitez love this player. He tryed to buy Juanfran in Valencia too, and Chelsea tryed to sign him also.. but Real Madrid beat off!

If Juanfran had been for sale.. he had ended up in a Spanish club long time ago, and he will not leave Madrid. The only chance Liverpool have, is on loan ( maybe )

Juanfran is 19 years old!

[The Rule]

What value would you say he has?? £5m?? or more??

how would he compare to say, Cristiano Ronaldo?

[Pennywise]

I had compare him with Vicente in Valencia.

Juanfran works harder in the defence than C.Ronaldo

People in Madrid think that Juanfran is the next Raul. A symbol for the club in the future. He'll be expensive to buy, but the only chance for Liverpool is on loan.

[DingDong]

do you think they will give us juanfran and 10m for owen?

[The Rule]

that'd be ok, although i doubt Juanfran is worth as much as Eto'o/Mori.

Maybe Solari and £10M??

Or Juanfran and £15M?

We still need to sort our defense.