Liverpool complete transfer deadline day clear-out

Liverpool concluded a productive transfer window with a late surprise when they accepted Chelsea's £12million offer for the Portugal midfielder Raul Meireles.

The Anfield club delivered on all of their targets for deadline day, shifting Joe Cole, Christian Poulsen, David Ngog and Philipp Degen and re-signing Craig Bellamy after the Wales international was granted a free transfer by Manchester City. While Meireles never fell into the unwanted category under Kenny Dalglish, and Liverpool had been reluctant to trade with Chelsea, they were open to offers that would allow them to recoup the £11.8million paid to Porto for the 28-year-old.

Ultimately, the only bid that came close to Liverpool's valuation was Chelsea's second offer for Meireles. Liverpool had rejected a deal of £7million plus Yossi Benayoun last week and made it clear to the midfielder that he would have to submit a transfer request if he wished to be reunited with André Villas-Boas, who managed him for three weeks at Porto last summer.

Meireles submitted a request as the 11pm deadline approached after Chelsea, thwarted in their pursuits of Luka Modric and Alvaro Pereira, agreed to meet Liverpool's valuation. He has signed a four-year contract at Stamford Bridge, having been due an improved contract at Liverpool.

Liverpool's business also involved looking ahead to next summer. They agreed to pay 60% of Cole's wages during his season at Lille in an attempt to obtain first refusal on the Belgium international, Eden Hazard, should the French club elect to sell their coveted midfielder. That request was rejected by Lille, although Liverpool retain hope that their £3million costs for Cole over the next 12 months will deliver an advantage in any future talks for Hazard.

Cole agreed to join the French club despite late interest from Aston Villa, having made only nine starts in the Premier League last season. Fenway Sports Group, which inherited the 29-year-old's £100,000-a-week contract, was keen to offload the midfielder but struggled to find a suitor. Through the director of football Damien Comolli, Liverpool had used Lille's interest in Cole as a means to try to steal a march on their rivals for Hazard.

Liverpool inquired about Lille's attacking midfielder earlier in the summer and, along with Arsenal and several European clubs, were informed that the 20-year-old was not for sale. But Lille's stance on Hazard may change at the end of this season, prompting Liverpool to offer generous loan terms on Cole.

Lille can offer Cole Champions League football this season and are believed to be relaxed about the England international commuting to and from London. His exit was part of a successful clear-out of expensive transfer mistakes by Liverpool, who have also offloaded Milan Jovanovic to Anderlecht, Alberto Aquilani, on loan to Milan, and Poulsen to Evian. The Denmark international, who cost an initial £4.5million from Juventus last summer, made only 21 appearances for Liverpool and has joined the French club on a permanent transfer.

Bellamy has signed a two-year contract with Liverpool, having negotiated his release from City. The 32-year-old, who played for Liverpool for one season under Rafael Benítez in 2006-07, had two years left on a £95,000-a-week contract and his refusal to accept reduced terms had deterred several Premier League clubs this summer, plus Celtic, another of his former employers.

Liverpool, however, have offered similar personal terms after he successfully completed a medical on Merseyside last night.

The Anfield club also completed the signing of the United States under-18 striker Villyan Bijev from California Odyssey after the teenager impressed on trial at the academy. Bijev does not have a work permit and so has joined the German side Fortuna Dusseldorf on loan with immediate effect. They also cancelled Degen's contract by mutual consent and sold Ngog to Bolton for a fee of around £4million.

Liverpool – The complete summer 2011 transfer lists:

IN

Stewart Downing (Liverpool, £20m)

Jordan Henderson (Sunderland, £16m)

Charlie Adam (£9m)

Jose Enrique (Newcastle, £6m)

Alexander Doni (Roma, free)

Sebastian Coates (Nacional, undisclosed)

Craig Bellamy (Manchester City, free)

Villyan Bijev (California Odyssey, undisclosed)

Total summer spending: £51 million + undisclosed fees *

 

OUT

Joe Cole (Lille, loan)

Christian Poulsen (Evian, undisclosed)

Alberto Aquilani (AC Milan, loan)

Paul Konchesky (Leicester, £1.5m)

Emiliano Insua (Sporting Lisbon, undisclosed)

Daniel Ayala (Norwich, undisclosed)

Milan Jovanovic (Anderlecht, free)

Sotirios Kyrgiakos (Wolfsburg, free)

Tom Ince (Blackpool, free)

Stephen Darby (Rochdale, loan)

Daniel Pacheco (Atletico Madrid, loan)

David Ngog (Bolton, £4m)

Raul Meireles (Chelsea, £12m)

Villyan Bijev (Fortuna Dusseldorf, loan)

Philipp Degen (released)

Nabil El-Zhar (Levante, free)

Chris Mavinga (Rennes, £1m)

Gerardo Bruna (Blackpool, free)

Total summer recouped: £18.5 million + undisclosed fees *

* Transfer fees are just speculation figures gathered in the press, actual amount may not be accurate as displayed

Source: Guardian

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Transfer deadline: Liverpool signs Coates and allows midfielder to leave

Liverpool have confirmed the signing of Uruguay international Sebastian Coates on a long-term contract.

The 20-year-old completed his transfer from Nacional after passing a medical and securing a work permit earlier today. Coates will now link up with his international teammates ahead of their friendly in Kiev on Friday night.

Liverpoolfc.tv brings you up to speed with 10 interesting facts.

1. Coates is nicknamed 'Luganito' by Uruguay fans because he's seen as the natural successor to the captain of the national team, Diego Lugano. Indeed, Lugano has previously said himself that he expects Coates to go on to skipper the national team.

2. Coates's signing now means Liverpool have two Copa America winners in their squad - Luis Suarez, crowned player of the tournament, and Sebastian Coates, young player of the tournament.

3. Standing at a towering 6ft and 6 inches, Sebastian comes close to being the Reds' tallest ever player - dwarfed only by Peter Crouch.

4. Coates shares his birthday with another giant ex-Red, Sami Hyypia. The duo were both born on October 7, a date that is also special for Simon Cowell and Alesha Dixon.

5. The 20-year-old has actually scored against a Liverpool side before - Liverpool Fútbol Club - who Coates faced whilst playing for Nacional.

6. In an interview with Ovacion, Coates revealed that it was talks with his fellow countryman Luis Suarez that helped persuade him to choose Liverpool. Coates said: "We chatted for quite a while, he told me it was a club with great history and tradition. He's doing well there and it's important to me because another Uruguayan will be there".

7. The Uruguayan shouldn't have too much trouble learning English. Sebastian's father, Peter, is an Englishman himself and the player has admitted previously to taking a couple of lessons off him.

8. Coates made his debut for Nacional against Bella Vista at the age of 17 and was afterwards voted man of the match by journalists from Spanish newspaper El Pais.

9. Since then the defender has started every single game for Nacional, withstanding suspension and national duty.

10. Coates is currently the only player in the current Uruguay squad who's never lost a game whilst playing for the national team.

Meanwhile, Liverpool FC also confirmed that they have reached agreement with Evian Thonon Gaillard for the transfer of Christian Poulsen.

The French side have now been given permission to talk to the Denmark international.

The Denmark international joined the Reds on a three-year contract from Juventus 12 months ago and was signed by Roy Hodgson.

However, he has struggled to make an impact under Hodgson's successor Kenny Dalglish and has not been involved so far this season.

A return to former club FC Copenhagen was ruled out earlier in the summer, while Poulsen was also linked with a loan move to Espanyol.

Ahead of Wednesday's transfer deadline, the 31-year-old has now emerged as a target for Evian, who are looking to make a splash in the French top flight this season.

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Source: Liverpool FC Official, Sky Sport

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Transfer deadline: Two more to join Liverpool and four players leaving

David N’gog should complete his protracted £4million move to Bolton Wanderers from Liverpool FC today.

The 22-year-old Frenchman has been a long-time target of Trotters boss Owen Coyle, who is desperate to add a striker to his ranks before tomorrow's transfer deadline.

A fee for the former Paris St. Germain forward has been agreed in principle between the two clubs, and Bolton are prepared to match N’gog's Anfield salary, having already missed out on number one target Daniel Sturridge this summer.

N’gog is now expected to travel to the Reebok Stadium to discuss personal terms and undergo a medical, and a deal should be announced before the closure of the transfer window tomorrow evening.

N’gog has made 94 appearances since arriving at Anfield in 2008, scoring 19 goals, but has found himself surplus to requirements at Anfield this season, following Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish's close-season recruitment drive.

He was left out of the squad for last week's Carling Cup tie at Exeter City, and was again absent as the Reds swept aside his prospective new employers on Saturday evening to briefly top the Premier League table.

His imminent departure will, however, leave Dalglish's squad short of attacking depth. He has Andy Carroll, Luis Suarez and Dirk Kuyt as his forward options, but would ideally like to add another before tomorrow's deadline.

Manchester City misfit Craig Bellamy has been strongly linked, and would be receptive to a return to Anfield, but a move for the Welshman hinges on whether City are willing to release the 32-year-old on a free transfer, and to a potential Premier League rival.

Dalglish, meanwhile, has been busy lowering the Reds' wage bill in recent weeks, following more than £110m worth of investment in his squad since January.

Sotirios Kyrgiakos, Nabil El-Zhar and Emiliano Insua have all been sold, while Alberto Aquilani has joined AC Milan on loan with view to a permanent move. Both Joe Cole and Philipp Degen could follow them, if Queens Park Rangers follow up their initial interest in the pair.

Liverpool signing Sebastian Coates is due to have his work permit hearing today, and his current club Nacional have flown a delegation over to help with the case.

Also set for the Anfield exit door is midfielder Christian Poulsen, with Spanish side Espanyol keen to end the Dane's miserable year on Merseyside.

Poulsen joined the Reds from Juventus for £4.5million last summer, but has failed to make an impact, and made just 12 league appearances last season.

He was left out of Denmark's squad for their forthcoming Euro 2012 qualifier with Norway this week, with manager Morten Olsen claiming he was suffering from stress due to his uncertain club future.

Poulsen himself would welcome a return to former club FC Copenhagen, but the Danes are unlikely to meet his wage demands, and Espanyol hope to tie up a deal for the 32-year-old in the next 48 hours.

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This story has been reproduced from the media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.

Source: Liverpool FC Official, Liverpool Echo

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Fulham want Liverpool midfielder

Fulham boss Martin Jol has made a £1.5m approach for Liverpool midfielder Christian Poulsen, according to reports.

Jol signed Czech under-21 star Marcel Gecov last week but remains keen on bolstering his squad ahead of the new season and speculation suggests that Poulsen is one of his targets.

The Denmark international is facing an uncertain future at Liverpool having made only 21 appearances for the Reds last term and looks to have fallen further down the midfield pecking order over the summer following the arrivals of Charlie Adam, Stewart Downing and Jordan Henderson.

Liverpool appear ready to sell Poulsen but the transfer fee could be the sticking point with Fulham's Premier League rivals likely to want to recoup the majority of the £5 million fee they paid for him last summer.

This story has been reproduced from the media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.

Source: Liverpool FC Official, Setanta.com

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Kop flop to follow Konchesky exit

Paul Konchesky moved to Leicester City yesterday. Now more are following his footsteps. Christian Poulsen is set to be offloaded by Liverpool as the great Anfield clearout continues.

Danish club FC Copenhagen are ready to take the midfielder off the Reds' hands with an offer of around £2.5million.

The Denmark midfielder, now 31, was signed from Juventus by Roy Hodgson last summer but quickly became surplus to requirements.

His goal in yesterday's 4-3 pre-season win over Guangdong makes no difference to his fate.

Stewart Downing set to sign for Liverpool this week after both clubs has agreed on the fee.

This story has been reproduced from the media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.

Source: Mirror

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Weekend Links: Flanagan signs new contract, Jordan and Adam numbers set, Jovanovic meets with Anderlecht, and many more.

Defender John Flanagan today (Friday) signed a new long-term contract at Liverpool. Read more here. (liverpoolfc.tv)

 

New signings Jordan Henderson and Charlie Adam have had their squad numbers confirmed. Read more here. (liverpoolfc.tv)

 

Serbian holds talks in bid to end Anfield nightmare. Read more here. (Sky Sports)

 

Denmark international yet to be told if he will be sold. Read more here. (Sky Sports)

 

Do Liverpool really need him upon his return? Read more here. (Our Kop.com)

 

Glen Johnson revealed his delight at signing an extension to his Liverpool contract. Read more here.

 

Liverpool midfielder at risk of summer clearance. Read more here.

 

Defender insists money no motivation to Arsenal exit. Read more here. (Sky Sports)

 

Kenny Dalglish is looking forward to Charlie Adam replicating his Blackpool heroics in a Liverpool shirt next season. Read more here. (liverpoolfc.tv)

 

Dalglish excited by Adam arrival. Read more here. (ESPN)

 

Why Liverpool will not be in the market for a new left-back? Read more here.

 

Stories from the internet. Enjoy your weekends.

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Udinese ponder move for Liverpool midfielder

According to OnTheMinute.com, Italian giants Udinese are reportedly keeping tabs on Danish midfielder Christian Poulsen's situation at Liverpool.

Liverpool Echo reports that Udinese could make a move for the 31-year-old in the January transfer window.

The Denmark international recently stated he would consider his options at the end of the season, but is happy at the Reds despite getting little game time since Kenny Dalglish took over the team.

Udinese could decide to bring in Poulsen as a replacement for Gokhan Inler, who has been strongly linked with a move to Napoli.

The Italian side are reportedly ready to make a £3million move for the Liverpool midfielder. Poulsen joined Liverpool last summer from Juventus for £4.5million.

This story has been reproduced from the media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.

Source: OnTheMinute.com

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Daniel Agger scored versus England

Daniel Agger scored a superb goal and Glen Johnson set up the winner as Denmark lost 2-1 to England in Copenhagen on Wednesday night.

Christian Poulsen captained the Danes and Agger got his country off to a great start when he met a right wing cross with a superb header after only seven minutes.

However, Darren Bent grabbed an equaliser three minutes later.

Johnson set up what turned out to be the winning goal in the 68th minute, when he produced a storming run into the Denmark half from right-back before setting up substitute Ashley Young who found the net.

All three Reds played the full 90 minutes.

Source: Video courtesy from FootyTube.com

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Transfer news: Babel and Diego latest

Roy Hodgson confirmed that Diego Cavalieri looks set to leave Liverpool - but the boss dismissed speculation that Ryan Babel could move.

Goalkeeper Cavalieri will hold talks with Italian side Cesena after our Europa League play-off first leg with Trabzonspor.

His likely departure follows the arrival at Anfield this week of stopper Brad Jones, who was not signed in time to be eligible for today's Europa League clash.

   "Diego has done a marvellous job for the last three years.

"He's a very good goalkeeper and a very good person, but he made it clear to me at the start of the season that after three years of watching Pepe play every week he might, if he's not careful, lose his goalkeeping ability or his status as a first-team goalkeeper.

"He made it clear he'd like to leave and find a club where he'll be able to play on a regular basis, so we set about the task of finding someone we thought would be as good a complement to Pepe Reina as Cavalieri has been.

"That's why Brad Jones has come in. He's the man we've chosen to back up Reina, put him under pressure and, most importantly, be ready to play.

"Diego will travel to Cesena after the game tomorrow night for a medical." Hodgson told LiverpoolFC.tv

The Brazilian's departure would make Jones the recognised number two to Reina, and he is likely to feature regularly if we reach the Europa League proper.

Meanwhile, quizzed on whether rumours linking Babel with a move to Wolfsburg was accurate yesterday.

   "No, there's none there. I'm afraid we're in the realm of speculation. You know better than I how many stories you're getting every day, and many of them are unfounded and many are attempts from people to get their players in the spotlight.

"We've had no written or formal offers for Ryan Babel and he's a player who I'm expecting to play for us." Hodgson said.

With two weeks of the transfer window remaining, the gaffer is not ruling out more activity - and backed up Christian Purslow's suggestion that there could be 'one or two' new faces on top of Jones.

Elsewhere, Hodgson was delighted with news that Martin Skrtel has signed a new contract at Anfield.

Source: LiverpoolFC.tv

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Argentina midfielder wants a change of lifestyle

Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano insists he has no problem with the club but just fancies a change of lifestyle. The 26-year-old has made no secret of his wish to leave Anfield, with Internazionale and Barcelona reportedly interested in acquiring his services.

   "The only thing I want to say is I don't have nothing against the Liverpool supporters, the Liverpool people. My problem is not to play for Liverpool. I'm very proud to play for Liverpool. It's another thing.

"I said to him [Roy Hodgson] that maybe for my life I prefer to change the country, not to change the club – that is the fact.

"Sometimes you can see all the things that the papers or the press say, but at the end the only thing I can say is thank you to everyone in Liverpool because they supported me all the time, from the beginning until now.” Mascherano told Sky Sports

The arrival of Christian Poulsen from Juventus, Mascherano departure is imminent but Liverpool won’t be letting him go on a cheap. Inter Milan seems to have backed down and claimed they are unable to meet the fee. Liverpool won’t be pressured to sell one of their prized asset any lesser than £25million.

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Poulsen signs three-year deal at Anfield

Liverpool have completed the signing of Danish international midfielder Christian Poulsen from Juventus for £4.5million.

The defensive midfielder, has been earmarked by manager Roy Hodgson as a potential replacement for Javier Mascherano, who wants to leave Anfield.

Poulsen becomes Liverpool’s fifth signing of the summer after the arrivals of Joe Cole, Milan Jovanovic, Danny Wilson and Jonjo Shelvey.

According to Juventus website, “Juventus Football Club announces that an agreement has been finalized with Liverpool for the disposal of the registration rights of the player Christian Poulsen for a consideration of € 5.475 million to be paid in two instalments: € 2.725 million immediately upon the execution of the contract and € 2.75 million on 1 July 2011. Deferred payment is covered by a bank guarantee.

The consideration for the disposal may increase by a further maximum of € 1.2 million on achieving given sports performances in the course of the duration of the contract.”

The 30-year-old, who has been capped 77 times by Denmark, arrives from Italian giants Juventus and will wear the No.28 shirt.

Poulsen has previously worked with Roy Hodgson at FC Copenhagen, where he was given his first big break by the current Reds boss.

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Liverpool to sign £4million Denmark midfielder

Though the Reds are awaiting the next move from Inter Milan in their pursuit of Javier Mascherano, they pressing on with plans for life without the Argentinean.

Once Inter strike a deal with Manchester City for the sale of Mario Balotelli, they will be better placed to push through their bid to take Mascherano to the San Siro.

The Reds are looking at a number of options to replace Mascherano and Poulsen, the Denmark international, and Standard Liege's Steven Defour head Roy Hodgson's list.

Although, Defour may be looks more ideal for Liverpool switch, with Manchester United high on his heels. The Reds boss, Roy Hodgson may not want to waste his time in a bidding war with a rival club.

Liverpool should complete a £4million deal for Juventus midfielder Christian Poulsen soon. Hodgson has confirmed his interest in the player and an Liverpool representative was in Turin on Tuesday to discuss the move.

Juventus technical director Giuseppe Marotta confirmed Liverpool’s interest in the Danish midfielder last week. Poulsen is an experienced player with over 70 caps for his country.

This story has been reproduced from the media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.

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Transfer rumours: Poulsen to Liverpool?

The most likely departure for Liverpool will be Javier Mascherano to Inter Milan. Juventus midfielder Christian Poulsen is in the sights of Liverpool.

Despite widespread speculation that Mascherano is ready to rejoin his former manager, Rafael Benitez, at Inter, Liverpool are adamant that there has been no formal contact with the European champions and deny that any talks have taken place over his future.

Liverpool do have a fall-back position if and when Mascherano leaves, with Poulsen the likeliest candidate to replace him as a defensive midfielder. Poulsen has been a long-term target for Liverpool and was linked with a move to Anfield last summer before Benitez opted to sign injury-prone Alberto Aquilani.

Although the Dane's agent, Joern Bonnessen, has said the midfielder wants to stay with Juventus, he is unlikely to feature much this season and Liverpool could secure his services for around £6million – the fee the Turin club agreed with Fenerbahce last June only for Poulsen to reject the deal when he was unable to agree personal terms.

This story has been reproduced from the media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.

Sources: Goal.com, Tribalfootball

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