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: 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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Source: Liverpool FC Official, Liverpool Echo

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The Hoops interested in Liverpool fullback

Skysports.com understands Queens Park Rangers have made an enquiry regarding Liverpool's Philipp Degen.

The Switzerland international appears to be surplus to requirements at Anfield after struggling to make an impression during his time at Liverpool.

He was beset by injury troubles in his first season at the club after arriving from Borussia Dortmund in 2008 and spent last season back on loan in the Bundesliga with Stuttgart.

With Reds boss Kenny Dalglish having the likes of Glen Johnson, Martin Kelly and youngster John Flanagan to choose from at right-back, Degen could be on the move before the transfer window closes.

Premier League new boys QPR remain in the market for new signings as manager Neil Warnock tries to build a squad capable of surviving in the top flight.

Warnock started the new campaign with Kieron Dyer at right-back, but the former England international lasted just a few minutes of Saturday's 4-0 defeat by Bolton Wanderers before being stretchered off.

Bradley Orr replaced Dyer at Loftus Road, while Warnock also currently has issues at left-back after Clint Hill was sent off late on in the defeat by Bolton.

Degen has made a total of 13 appearances during his Liverpool career and his last outing for the Reds was in the Europa League against Atletico Madrid in April 2010.

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Source: Liverpool FC Official, Sky Sport

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Anfield flops set for loan exit

Aquilani has struggled to make an impact at Anfield since his £20million arrival from Roma last summer.

The injury-hit playmaker has struggled to make an impact after coming to Anfield and discussions are under way for him to return to his home country.

Aquilani was left out of Liverpool's squad for yesterday night's UEFA Europa League play-off against Trabzonspor and Hodgson admits he will probably be loaned out to a Serie A side.

   "At the moment we are considering possibly loaning him to an Italian club, but nothing is sure about that yet so I don't have anything to report.

"I didn't want to use him tonight just in case the loan goes through because for Aquilani this year it's very important that he plays regular football, every week as the number one man on the team sheet.

"I can't promise him that here so if a loan move to Italy could help him in that respect it might be good for all parties.

"It would certainly be what he needs, it would certainly protect the value of the player and when he does return to Liverpool no doubt we will see the Aquilani that we signed before he came here injured last year." Hodgson told LiverpoolFC.tv

Earlier this month, defender Philipp Degen has joined German side VfB Stuttgart on loan for the 2010-11 season.

The Swiss international, was signed on a free transfer by ex-Reds boss Rafael Benitez in 2008 but played only seven times for the Anfield club.

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Degen shown the axe

Roy Hodgson confirmed that full-back Philipp Degen can look for a new club. The Swiss international has struggled to make an impact since arriving at Anfield from Borussia Dortmund in July 2008.

Degen has limited appearances for Liverpool due to his injuries and finding Glen Johnson hard to shackles in the right-back position.

   "We have had an amicable conversation with Philipp and he wants to play football."

"We won't stand in his way and he is free to look for another club." Hodgson told www.liverpoolfc.tv

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Moores quits Liverpool board

Former Liverpool chairman David Moores has resigned from the Club's Board of Directors. Moores will, however, retain his position as Club Honorary Life President.

Moores, whose family became one of the richest in Britain with the creation of the Littlewoods empire, took the role of chairman in 1991.

However, with the club in need of increasing investment he sold his majority shareholding to current American owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks two years ago.

The move proved to be an unpopular one among fans after the pair borrowed £350million to finance the takeover and then grand plans for a new stadium were continually delayed.

Moores himself admitted last year he felt "heartbroken and let down" by the owners, and his disappearance from the board follows the decision by chief executive Rick Parry - who helped negotiate the takeover with Gillett and Hicks - to step down this summer after 12 years at the club.

Time for the current co-owners to bring out their cheque books. They came with promises of bringing Liverpool Football Club forward but until now we still back tracking, lacks of big-names signing.

So here are my suggestions;

• David Villa - £45million
• David Silva - £30million
• Glen Johnson – £18million
• Luis Antonio Valencia - £17million

Total spending - £110million

And ship these players out of Anfield;

• Sebastian Leto - £2million
• Andrea Dossena - £6million
• Andriy Voronin - £8million
• Charles Itandje - £5million
• Ryan Babel - £8million
• Alvaro Arbeloa - £8million
• Jack Hobbs (already sold to Leicester) – undisclosed, estimated around £1.5million
• another £7million Peter Crouch’s transfer fee

Total recouped - £45.5million

Total funds needed from the co-owners, another £44.5million after minus the promised £20million for Rafa’s spending. If Rafa can convinced Alonso to stay, then let Mascherano go for £35million should increased Rafa’s coffer and the co-owners just need to give Rafa another £9.5million on top of the £20million.

Spending £30million a season are considered the lowest among the big four team in Premiership. Last season, Manchester United was able to splashed £32million on Berbatov alone. It’s time for Rafa to wave his magic wand again, we can trust Rafa to sell his flops soon.

 

 LIVERPOOL XI

Reina

Johnson – Carragher – Skrtel – Aurelio

Alonso

Valencia – Gerrard – Silva

Villa – Torres

You must be wondering why sell Arbeloa? If the Reds do signs Johnson, Rafa must sell before buy. Philipp Degen won’t attracts any suitable club after he was sidelined for the whole season through injury. Degen would be the cover for right-back position.

The probabilities of Javier Mascherano leaving are very high, if Barcelona are willing to pay £35million for him. But in order for Mascherano to leave, Rafa must keep Alonso. If both of them left, it would be a disaster!

Why bring in Valencia? Well, the Reds hasn’t had an out-and-out right winger for a long time. Dirk Kuyt has done relatively a great job for Liverpool last season but the formation are still unbalance without a proper winger.

David Silva, aren’t we all hope he’ll sign for us? Getting rids of Babel and Dossena has freed up the left-hand side of midfield with Albert Reira as the backup left winger for Silva.

David Villa, the on-form striker at the moment. His partnership with Torres on international level are phenomenal. Linking him up with Torres at Anfield, we are the team to beat next season.

All of these are just my two cents. If Liverpool do get the right players in on time before the season kick-off, the painful and long wait for a league championship will be over soon. Come home number 19.

What do you think of it? Leave your thoughts here.

 

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YNWA,

Red's Fury™

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Reds keen to keep Arbeloa

 

Liverpool fullback, Alvaro Arbeloa was linked to Atletico Madrid as his contract with Liverpool run out in 2010.

Rafa wouldn’t want to wait until the “speculation” becomes a reality when Atletico Madrid came forward with a bid in the January transfer window. With Philipp Degen sidelined yet again after the Swiss right-back, fractured his metatarsal against Tottenham in the Carling cup match.

But Rafa Benitez’s contract talk has been stalled, any player’s contract negotiation will not be materialised.

“I have a contract with Liverpool for another year," Arbeloa told AS. "We haven’t spoken about an extension. It is necessary to know first if Benitez will stay…

"It seems to be a little too soon to speak about that.” - Alvaro Arbeloa, Setanta Sports.

The match against Bolton last weekend sees Liverpool need to make changes to the back four as Arbeloa was suspended and Degen out injured. The Spanish defender almost left Anfield in the summer with reports said that he need to return to Spain on personal reason.

It’s very unwise to loose a good fullback in the middle of the season. I hope the Americans can sort out their differences and let everyone on the playing field focus on playing football.

 

Till then.

 

YNWA,

Red's Fury™

 

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