Liverpool could be set to step up their summer transfer dealings with moves for as many as five new players this week.
Arsenal left-back Gael Clichy has emerged as a serious target for Kenny Dalglish, whilst the Anfield outfit are also weighing up bids for Aston Villa's Stewart Downing, Blackpool captain Charlie Adam, Ipswich forward Connor Wickham and Southampton starlet Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Dalglish made his first signing of the summer last week with the £16m capture of Sunderland midfielder Jordan Henderson, and is eager to oversee a serious revamp of his squad, ahead of what promises to be a pivotal season at Anfield.
French international Clichy has just one year remaining on his contract at Arsenal, and is understood to have informed the Gunners that he has no plans to renew his deal in North London. The 25-year-old is valued by manager Arsene Wenger at around £7m.
Italian sides Inter Milan and Roma have expressed an interest, but Liverpool would have the upper hand due to the presence of Damien Comolli, the club's Director of Football. Comolli was integral to Clichy's move to Arsenal from French club Cannes in 2003, and the full-back is believed to be keen to secure a switch to Merseyside.
Downing, Villa's Player of the Season, is also eager to link up with Dalglish's side. The 26-year-old is another player who has been on Comolli's radar for some time, stretching back to Comolli's time at Tottenham, but is valued by Villa at around £18m, with Liverpool hoping to pay closer to £15m for the England international.
In the case of Adam, it could be much simpler. The Scotland international was desperate to join the Liverpool in January, but a move fell through after the Reds were unable to meet Blackpool's £12m asking price.
But with the Tangerines having been relegated from the Premier League, and with the 25-year-old having expressed his desire to quit the club, Adam will now be available for around £8m, meaning a move to Anfield is a likelihood rather than a possibility.
And with Dalglish and Comolli keen to infuse their squad with youthful, English talent, moves for the highly-rated duo of Wickham and Oxlade-Chamberlain have also been lined up.
Wickham, 18, is valued by Ipswich at £10m, and has been attracting interest from Arsenal, Tottenham and Sunderland of late. But the 6ft 3in striker, who is away with England's under-21s at the European Championships in Denmark, is believed to favour a move to Merseyside.
England Under-19 star Oxlade-Chamberlain, 17, was watched several times by Comolli last season, and has been a £10m target for Arsenal. But with Southampton holding out for closer to £12m for the starlet, and the Gunners wary of spending such a fee on an untested youngster, a switch to Liverpool is a possibility.
Meanwhile, young goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi has revealed the club are in the market for an experienced back-up shot-stopper, expected to be Roma's Doni, as he prepares to leave on loan.
"I had already been thinking about my possible departure in March although that time it wasn't a topic that Brad Friedel or Doni may sign for Liverpool," said the 20-year-old.
"Of course it doesn't mean that I want my contract to be terminated because the team rely on me. When my agents and I indicated to the club officials that I would like to move to another club on loan they agreed with us and thought the same.
"The club said they rely on me for a long period and it made me very proud. But they added if I go then a seasoned goalkeeper may arrive at the club, which is understandable.
"The best way for me to improve is to play regularly. I don't know where I will play but talks are going well. I have offers from England and also from outside of England. I hope within 10 days or two weeks it will be a fact where I will continue my career - on loan."
This story has been reproduced from the media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.
Source: LiverpoolFC.tv, Daily Post
Stay tune for more news and follow me on Twitter.
0 comments:
Post a Comment