Other transfer news

[Pennywise]

striker Michael Owen.

Benitez's first-choice was to have Fernando Morientes come to Anfield in part-exchange, but Real fielded him in last night's Champions League qualifier against Wisla Krakow, so making him Cup-tied for all European competitions.

Instead, Benitez is now expected to demand Juanfran be included in the deal - which is being valued at £20 million.

The Spanish youth international is regarded as Luis Figo's long-term successor at Real and his progress has been enough for the Madrid giants to drop all interest in Betis ace Joaquin.


- Benitez really love Juanfran

[The Rule]

Rafa wanted Eto'o, not Mori.

£15m and Juanfran is the possible deal, which would be great for us. I'd like to see us use that money to get Milito and Collocini to complete our defense.

Regardless of what that article says, Perez wants Jaoquin AND Vicente next summer.

[Barcelona1899]

Anyone know if there is anything to the Luis Garcia rumour? I would prefer he stayed in Barcelona.

[DingDong]

i think that recently he said that he would prefer to remain... but i'd prefer garcia to nunez...

[DingDong]

Mista & Xabi
LIVERPOOL boss Rafael Benitez wants his old Valencia goal machine Miguel Angel Mista to fill Michael Owen's boots, reports The People.

Benitez is poised to raid his former club for the 25-year-old hit man who bagged a sensational 19 goals in the march to the title last season.

Mista has just one year of his contract at the Mestalla left and could be available for around £7million, although talks would be tough.

Valencia are bitter with Benitez over his departure for the Kop and legal battles are still in the air between the pair.

But - like Liverpool - Valencia know that star man Mista could go for nothing in a year and might head for Anfield then.

Benitez knows Mista inside out on the field and off it. They even share an agent in Manuel Garcia Quilon, so the boss has a head start in the chase.

Straight-talking Benitez has shown he is a tough customer with his handling of Owen and he would take the criticism of signing a Spaniard if he comes.

Benitez also had good news yesterday when Real Madrid said they would NOT move for Xabi Alonso, the midfielder he wants to buy.

Real Sociedad have turned down £12million so far but their hopes of an auction have now been hit as Real target Argentinian Javier Mascharenas.

Benitez's only problem will be finding the cash to buy both Mista and Alonso, but he is giving it a go.




hopefully we'll get both of them... we really need another striker now owen is gone... *call letallec back?*

[The Rule]

We'd be better off getting some1 to play in the hole, like Aimar or Tevez, than another out and out striker.

[DingDong]

Nunez - He's here
Liverpool have completed the signing of Antonio Nunez from Real Madrid on a three year contract.
The 25 year old right sided midfielder trained with his new team-mates at Melwood today after passing a medical.

Nunez, who made 10 appearances for Real Madrid last season, has signed in at Anfield as part of the deal which took Michael Owen in the opposite direction last week, although he has revealed he would have been Liverpool bound even if Owen had stayed on Merseyside.

"Even if Owen hadn't signed for Madrid, I already had an offer from Liverpool and I knew that the manager was keen to sign me, which is something to be proud of," he said.

"Last season, I found out how hard it would be to play at Real and I know Liverpool will be the same, but I hope to get some more minutes on the pitch.

"It is never going to be satisfactory leaving the best team in the world, but playing for Liverpool is a dream come true for any player."

He has been allocated squad number 12 and could be in line to make his debut this weekend against Manchester City.

Nunez started his football career with Spanish outfit San Federico before joining nearby third division side CD La Rozas.

In 2001 he was spotted by Real Madrid - the team he idolised as a boy - and scored twice in 24 reserve games in his first season with the Spanish giants.

The following season he struck nine more goals for the reserves before finally earning a place in the first team squad for the 2003-04 campaign.

He made a dream start for Madrid as he netted an equaliser on his debut to secure a 1-1 draw with Villareal in September 2003.

Nunez becomes Rafael Benitez's second signing since taking over as Liverpool manager following the arrival of Josemi last month.

[DingDong]

Finnan
Steve Finnan could be the next departure from Liverpool with Tottenham keen to take the Republic of Ireland international to White Hart Lane.

Michael Owen, Danny Murphy and El-Hadji Diouf have all left Anfield in the past seven days as Rafael Benitez looks to finance moves for £10.7million Xabi Alonso plus £6m-rated Luis Garcia.

And Finnan (right) could also be on his way after new Tottenham coach Jacques Santini registered an interest in the 28-year-old.

The defender was signed from Fulham for £3.6m only last summer but his Anfield future was put in doubt by Benitez's first signing as Liverpool manager, £2m fullback Josemi.

And with Antonio Nunez arriving at Anfield this week as part of the Michael Owen deal with Real Madrid, plus Benitez's desire to land another player for the right flank, Finnan's days as a makeshift midfielder - which saw him start the Champions League qualifier against Grazer AK and Saturday's Premiership opener at Spurs - are shortlived..

Liverpool will listen to offers for the former Fulham favourite but are only interested in straight cash deals of around £2m.

Blackburn Rovers enquired about Finnan last month but were only interested in a season-long loan deal and having offloaded Bruno Cheyrou and Diouf on a temporary basis to Marseille and Bolton respectively, Liverpool now want permanent exits.

New Spurs coach Santini is desperate for a new right-back having lost Stephen Carr to Newcastle and his understudy Stephen Kelly to a long-term injury.

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Diouf
Bolton could miss out on the signing of El Hadji Diouf as, according to reports in Italy, Fiorentina have joined the hunt for his signature.

The Trotters have already agreed a deal for the Senegal international with Liverpool, however the Viola are believed to tried to hijack their move.

The 23-year-old reportedly underwent a medical with The Reebok outfit on Tuesday, but as yet the deal has no been concluded.

Either way, Diouf is certain to exit Anfield in the near future with the big-money Lens arrival surplus to requirements under new coach Rafa Benitez.

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Oddo
Italian international Massimo Oddo, a rumoured target for Liverpool, has confirmed he may leave the club.

The 28-year-old is considering his future after a host of players departed The Stadio Olimpico over the summer.

"I don't want to leave Lazio at all, but I want the president to put together a good side," said Oddo.

Oddo has been linked with a possible move to Anfield and the rumoured departure of Steve Finnan could make room for him.

The former Verona star, who can play anywhere down the right, has also been mentioned as a possible target for Juventus.

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Xabi
Liverpool have reached a "preliminary agreement" with Real Sociedad to sign the Spanish midfielder Xabi Alonso for £10.7m.

But the Liverpool manager, Rafael Benitez, may not be able to complete the transfer until after Spain's friendly against Venezuela tonight.

Alonso's agent, Inaki Ibanez, insists the deal for the young Spaniard is done and that Real Madrid are no longer trying to sign the player.

Iba-ez said: "The crossing of Xabi Alonso to Liverpool is practically done. On the part of the player everything is closed and now there are only small details between the clubs to be done."

Alonso is expected to become a Liverpool player after passing a medical.

[DingDong]

Rafael Benitez hasn't ruled out the possibility of bringing another new face to Anfield before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.
The Liverpool manager, who expects to complete the signing of Xabi Alonso before the end of the week, insists he's happy with the depth in his squad at present but that doesn't mean he won't be interested if the right player becomes available.

He said: "Perhaps we can find another player, but it depends on our team and whether I think they are good for us.

"I am happy with the team and the squad now, but if it is possible to sign good players then I am interested. The top clubs are always interested in good players. But I don't have any special area in the team that I think needs strengthening."

With only Djibril Cisse, Milan Baros and Florent Sinama Pongolle to choose from in his forward line at Anfield, the question on all Liverpool fans' minds is whether the boss is keen to bring in a new striker to replace Michael Owen.

"Bringing in new strikers is always difficult because they are always expensive," said the boss. "We have three forwards and it will depend on how they do.

"Sometimes you might think you need a new forward and then the ones you have score two or three goals and you think 'I'll wait'."




I think we really need another striker otherwise we have to get letallec back... another option is probably neill mellor...

best scenario is to get mista though...

[The Rule]

We need to recall LeTallec and buy a central defender.

[Johnson]

how about woodgate?, ok hes injury prone but i think everyone a t newcastle is, they must have some shit pysios. but hes a good defender and english.

[The Rule]

too injury prone for me. If we were going to pay £9m for a CB i'd rather Milito, or add Hyypia to the deal and get Andrade.

Woody is excellent but too much of a risk IMO.

[Johnson]

another player who would be good for you imo, would be ledly king, i dont belive the story that chelsea bid 20m for him. also werent liverpool after dawson for a couple of years? him and andy reid would improve your squad imo

[The Rule]

Andy Reid is a good player, we don't need him.

Dawson ain't good enough.

Narcolepsy King can stay at Spurs, one game against France doesn't make him good enough.

Andrade or Milito would be the best options if we are spending big. If not Coloccini and Kuffour.

[DingDong]

Liverpool have announced the signings of Spanish duo Xabi Alonso from Real Sociedad and Luis Garcia from Barcelona.
Both players signed in at Anfield today after successfully completing medicals. They have each signed a five year contract.

Neither player will be involved against Manchester City tomorrow or against AK Graz on Tuesday.

Garcia has been allocated squad number 10 at Anfield while Alonso will wear the number 14 shirt.