Sunday 6th June.
Summer of speculation at Anfield / Star exodus to begin with Mascherano
After Rafa Benitez’s sacking, it’s becoming increasingly clear that we’re set for a summer of speculation and rumour at Anfield. The Sunday papers are awash with Reds related stories, despite the fact that there is likely to be a transfer embargo installed until a new manager is appointed.
Former manager Benitez would now appear to be the number one target for Inter Milan, with many news outlets reporting that a number of key players could well follow. This would seem to contradict the suggestion that it was player power that forced the Spaniard out of Anfield.
News: The BBC reports that the ex-Liverpool manager is to hold talks with Inter Milan next week, with president Massimo Moratti reiterating his admiration for the former Reds gaffer. Rafa may have been deemed the wrong man to get Liverpool back in contention for a Champions League spot, but the Italians appear to believe that he is the right men to help them retain the Champions League crown.
Rumour: ...and should Rafa go, it would appear increasingly likely that Argentine midfielder Javier Mascherano will be plying his trade at the San Siro next season. The Sunday Mirror builds on his quotes that Benitez’s football ‘is his football’, to pad out its ‘exclusive’.
Rumour: Stories of an exodus abound, with the Reds number nine a prominent subject. For the press, it’s becoming less a matter of if Fernando Torres will leave Liverpool, and more wherehe will leave them for. After yesterday’s speculation about a record breaking bid from Chelsea, the Sunday Express proposes that big spending Manchester City are preparing to make the Spaniard the world’s richest footballer. A £200,000 a week deal is on offer, although El Nino would still have to make do with the rigours of Europa League football next season.
Rumour: ... although one player who will be at Anfield next season is new England captain Steven Gerrard. The Sunday Mirror reports that Gerrard is expected to reject the overtures of Jose Mourinho for a second time, determined to clinch the Premiership crown before he calls time on his Liverpool career.
Rumour: Should Gerrard achieve this life-long ambition, it will be under the stewardship of Roy Hodgson - if the News of the World is to be believed. The Sunday rag reports that the Liverpool board will make a formal approach to Fulham as early as this week in order to secure the services of the 62 year old.
Showing posts with label torres. Show all posts
Showing posts with label torres. Show all posts
Sunday, 6 June 2010
Wednesday, 2 June 2010
KopStuff 2/6/10 - Gerrard to Join Mourinho in Madrid? Torres Inter Bound?
Wednesday 2nd June.
Gerrard Mourinho’s ‘number one target’? Torres Inter bound?
Rumour: The Daily Mirror returns to speculation regarding Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard’s future, suggesting that the midfielder is Jose Mourinho’s ‘number one target’. The newly appointed Real Madrid manager has apparently identified a central midfielder as the Spanish sides most pressing need. Regular readers will recognise this story, as it has been bouncing around the rumour mill ever since Mourinho left Inter, although the alleged quotes and targets appear to change on an almost daily basis. The Mirror adds nothing new, regurgitating old news to fill column space, ignoring the fact that Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard would appear to be the more likely target for the Portuguese.
Rumour: The Mail runs with a multitude of Liverpool stories, beginning the with news that Fabio Aurelio may be a target for Fulham boss Roy Hodgson. Aurelio was deemed surplus to requirements at Anfield, with the club unwilling to offer anything other than a pay-as-you-play deal to the frequently injured Brazilian.
Rumour: Second is the slightly more interesting suggestion that Rafa Benitez is weighing up a move for out of favour Manchester City striker Roque Santa Cruz. The paper proposes that any move would see Yossi Benayoun travelling in the opposite direction, but Reds fans would see that as a small price to pay for a chance to partner up the talented Paraguayan with Fernando Torres.
Rumour: ...although, if the Mail is to be believed, Torres himself may be on his way to Inter, should new Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho succeed in taking Diego Milito or Samuel Eto’o to Real Madrid. The latter would seem unlikely, as the big Cameroon has only recently left arch rivals Barcelona, although Milito is known to have a fractious relationship with the Italian club.
Rumour: ...or should that be Chelsea? Or City? The Mail obviously believes that if you throw enough stones, you’ll end up with at least one broken window. In the very same story, Torres is linked with champions Chelsea, and big-spending Manchester City, both of whom are apparently ready to table £70million bids. The reason for the claims? Last week's news conference where Torres made the heinous mistake of failing to declare his absolute, undying love for the club and sign a new contract, in blood, live on Spanish TV.
Rumour: And finally, the S*n reports that Rafa’s future should be sorted out later this week, with the Spaniard having a third round of talks with the Liverpool board. The summer transfer budget is likely to be one of the major issues being discussed, as well as Rafa’s commitment to the club in the light of alleged interest from Inter.
Gerrard Mourinho’s ‘number one target’? Torres Inter bound?
Rumour: The Daily Mirror returns to speculation regarding Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard’s future, suggesting that the midfielder is Jose Mourinho’s ‘number one target’. The newly appointed Real Madrid manager has apparently identified a central midfielder as the Spanish sides most pressing need. Regular readers will recognise this story, as it has been bouncing around the rumour mill ever since Mourinho left Inter, although the alleged quotes and targets appear to change on an almost daily basis. The Mirror adds nothing new, regurgitating old news to fill column space, ignoring the fact that Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard would appear to be the more likely target for the Portuguese.
Rumour: The Mail runs with a multitude of Liverpool stories, beginning the with news that Fabio Aurelio may be a target for Fulham boss Roy Hodgson. Aurelio was deemed surplus to requirements at Anfield, with the club unwilling to offer anything other than a pay-as-you-play deal to the frequently injured Brazilian.
Rumour: Second is the slightly more interesting suggestion that Rafa Benitez is weighing up a move for out of favour Manchester City striker Roque Santa Cruz. The paper proposes that any move would see Yossi Benayoun travelling in the opposite direction, but Reds fans would see that as a small price to pay for a chance to partner up the talented Paraguayan with Fernando Torres.
Rumour: ...although, if the Mail is to be believed, Torres himself may be on his way to Inter, should new Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho succeed in taking Diego Milito or Samuel Eto’o to Real Madrid. The latter would seem unlikely, as the big Cameroon has only recently left arch rivals Barcelona, although Milito is known to have a fractious relationship with the Italian club.
Rumour: ...or should that be Chelsea? Or City? The Mail obviously believes that if you throw enough stones, you’ll end up with at least one broken window. In the very same story, Torres is linked with champions Chelsea, and big-spending Manchester City, both of whom are apparently ready to table £70million bids. The reason for the claims? Last week's news conference where Torres made the heinous mistake of failing to declare his absolute, undying love for the club and sign a new contract, in blood, live on Spanish TV.
Rumour: And finally, the S*n reports that Rafa’s future should be sorted out later this week, with the Spaniard having a third round of talks with the Liverpool board. The summer transfer budget is likely to be one of the major issues being discussed, as well as Rafa’s commitment to the club in the light of alleged interest from Inter.
Thursday, 27 May 2010
KopStuff - Thurs 27th May. Hicks Talks Money / Stopper Antolovic Anfield Bound?
Thursday 27th May.
Tom Hicks promises 'significant' investment. Rafa in for Antolovic?
With the World Cup only weeks away, the red tops are struggling to provide their usual feast of transfer gossip and crazy news. The national press has placed country before club, putting silly season on hold until the middle of July.
News: TeamTalk reports that co-owner Tom Hicks has 'good news for Rafa', with the promise of 'significant' investment. No doubt in response to yesterday's publicised grilling from former owner David Moores, the American made the audacious claim that (seventh placed) Liverpool have actually improved under his stewardship. He furthered this with a sidewards swipe at Moores, stating that spending had actually doubled at the club in the first three years of US ownership.
With debts in the region of £351 million, it's hard to see where this promised investment will come from, and no doubt the banks with whom the debts have been repeatedly renegotiated will have some say in any spending decisions.
Rumour: The S*n offer up one piece of transfer gossip, with the suggestion that Liverpool have entered the race to sign 21 year old Croatian 'keeper Marijan Antolovic. Drazen Pernar, sporting director at Antolovic's club Cibalia, has apparently named Spurs and Liverpool as interested parties, though a cynic may suggest that this is to raise the profile, and price tag, of a hitherto unknown player. Liverpool do have space for a reserve 'keeper after the sale of David Martin to MK Dons, but any prospective player would have to be happy with being third-choice in the pecking order.
And finally: In a typical arse/elbow move, the S*n has gone back on yesterday's Torres story, choosing to run today with the headline Torres: Spain Is My Only Focus.
Despite the Spaniard's agent stating categorically that the striker would remain at Anfield next season, the S*n has decided to interpret yesterday's press conference comments as a sign that nothing is written in stone. Whether or not the Spanish public would be interested in hearing their star player discussing club as opposed to country some fifteen days before the World Cup appears to be immaterial.
If there are no stories to report, make one up.
Tom Hicks promises 'significant' investment. Rafa in for Antolovic?
With the World Cup only weeks away, the red tops are struggling to provide their usual feast of transfer gossip and crazy news. The national press has placed country before club, putting silly season on hold until the middle of July.
News: TeamTalk reports that co-owner Tom Hicks has 'good news for Rafa', with the promise of 'significant' investment. No doubt in response to yesterday's publicised grilling from former owner David Moores, the American made the audacious claim that (seventh placed) Liverpool have actually improved under his stewardship. He furthered this with a sidewards swipe at Moores, stating that spending had actually doubled at the club in the first three years of US ownership.
With debts in the region of £351 million, it's hard to see where this promised investment will come from, and no doubt the banks with whom the debts have been repeatedly renegotiated will have some say in any spending decisions.
Rumour: The S*n offer up one piece of transfer gossip, with the suggestion that Liverpool have entered the race to sign 21 year old Croatian 'keeper Marijan Antolovic. Drazen Pernar, sporting director at Antolovic's club Cibalia, has apparently named Spurs and Liverpool as interested parties, though a cynic may suggest that this is to raise the profile, and price tag, of a hitherto unknown player. Liverpool do have space for a reserve 'keeper after the sale of David Martin to MK Dons, but any prospective player would have to be happy with being third-choice in the pecking order.
And finally: In a typical arse/elbow move, the S*n has gone back on yesterday's Torres story, choosing to run today with the headline Torres: Spain Is My Only Focus.
Despite the Spaniard's agent stating categorically that the striker would remain at Anfield next season, the S*n has decided to interpret yesterday's press conference comments as a sign that nothing is written in stone. Whether or not the Spanish public would be interested in hearing their star player discussing club as opposed to country some fifteen days before the World Cup appears to be immaterial.
If there are no stories to report, make one up.
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