Liverpool will need to double their offer for England winger

Liverpool will need to seriously increase their valuation to land Stewart Downing.

The Anfield club were hoping to move swiftly to capture the England international winger as soon as Aston Villa appoint a new manager

Boss Kenny Dalglish values the player at around £10million, and given he cost that figure when he moved to Villa Park from Middlesbrough, and has only two years left on his contract.

But the Villa board see things very differently, and even though they don't yet know if Downing will figure in their new manager's plans, they have indicated any offer will have to be double that figure for them to consider it.

Downing, like team-mate Ashley Young, has decided his future lies elsewhere, and he is keen to move to Anfield after being sold on the Merseyside club.

He is a friend of Andy Carroll, and wants to become part of Dalglish's revolution, but it seems there is much work to be done if he is to get his his wish.

Young's imminent departure has put pressure on the Villa board to attempt to keep the rest of their players, and they are prepared to play hard-ball to at least ensure they have the funds to find an adequate replacement.

Young seems certain to go to Manchester United. He is about to enter the final year of his contract, and Villa know they must sell now to try and recoup the £8million they paid to Watford for the player.

But Downing is a different matter, and even though the player is desperate to go, there could be a struggle over the fee reminiscent of the wrangling that surrounded Gareth Barry's on-off move to Anfield two years ago.

Dalglish will need to offload several of his highly-paid fringe players if he is to generate the funds and clear the wage bill to snatch Downing, but remains confident he will get his man.

Source: Liverpool FC Official, Daily Mirror

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

Stay tune for more news and follow me on Twitter.

Read More

Liverpool to have a massive summer clear-out

Kenny Dalglish’s summer spending spree will hinge on his ability to cut some serious dead wood at Anfield.

The Liverpool manager is hoping to bring in four or five new faces during the transfer window, at a cost of £50million-plus.

But while the Reds’ American owners have sanctioned a bold move by the club in the market in a serious attempt to gatecrash the Premier League top four next season, they have also made clear the axe must be taken to a top-heavy squad.

Dalglish has as many as 13 players who are surplus to requirements at Anfield… at a staggering cost of more than £600,000 a week in wages.

That equates to more than £30million a year being paid to players who were either out on loan last season, or cast to the furthest fringes of the first team squad with barely a hope of seeing some action.

Principal owner John Henry and chairman Tom Werner have already expressed their incredulity at the obscene level of wages paid to players such as Milan Jovanovic and Joe Cole, who were barely able to the make the match day squad last season.

That pair alone command more than £200,000 a week in wages, and with fringe player Maxi Rodriguez – who will be surplus to requirements when Stewart Downing arrives this summer – also on wages thought to be around £100,000 a week, it means huge sums were spent on three players who were brought in on free transfers.

But it gets worse for Dalglish…

Read more: The LFC Zone

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

Stay tune for more news and follow me on Twitter.

Read More

Rumour Mill: Charlie Adam set to sign for Liverpool FC

Liverpool's pursuit of Charlie Adam should finally pay dividends this week.

Anfield boss Kenny Dalglish looks set to land his man at last, having chased the classy midfielder virtually from the day he returned to the club in January.

And the Merseyside club could make it a double deal, with Dalglish also inching closer to bringing England winger Stewart Downing to the club.

The Aston Villa star is still waiting for his club to appoint a new manager, but he is desperately keen to join Liverpool, and is hopeful a transfer can be agreed as soon as possible.

Adam could make the switch even sooner.

The Scot was distraught when what appeared a dream move to Anfield was dashed as Blackpool refused to do business, even at an inflated price of £10million.

But Dalglish's interest has never wavered, and discreet talks have continued this week, with the midfielder returning from holiday in Dubai to hasten proceedings.

Blackpool have played hardball in negotiations, with chairman Karl Oyston insisting he is under no pressure to sell, despite the player entering the last year of his contract.

But eventually, they are expected to agree a fee, with Liverpool now confident the Scot will finally join by the end of the week, in a deal that could eventually reach £9million.

Read more: Liverpool FC Official

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

Source: Daily Mirror

Stay tune for more news and follow me on Twitter.

Read More

Liverpool swoop for Seasiders midfielder

Sky Sports News sources understand Liverpool will hold talks with Blackpool's Charlie Adam later this week.

The Scotland international has long been a target of the Anfield club and they failed in an attempt to agree a deal in the January transfer window.

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish's interest in his compatriot is not thought to have ended and he is again attempting to secure the playmaker, with Sky Bet suspending their market earlier on Monday.

Sky sources understand discussions will consequently take place with relegated Blackpool and Adam later this week.

The Reds have already signed Jordan Henderson from Sunderland and are expected to continue to remodel their squad this summer.

Read more: Liverpool FC Official

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

Source: Sky Sports

Stay tune for more news and follow me on Twitter.

Read More

Former Liverpool fullback says Kenny Dalglish is the perfect match

Alvaro Arbeloa has thanked Kenny Dalglish - for making him love watching Liverpool again.

The Spanish defender left Anfield for Real Madrid in 2009, and while his affection for the club never withered, he admits there were times when being a supporter became 'difficult'.

"Always when I can, I try to watch Liverpool," Arbeloa told SI.com.

"This past season at the beginning it was a little bit difficult and when they have changed the manager, I think they have improved a lot and finished better.

"So I am supporting them and when I was there I was really, really happy and the supporters were good to me.

"I think the style under Roy Hodgson, they played maybe too many long balls.

"I think Liverpool is the type of team that has to play more football. Technically they have some really good players and they need to play more football. I think with Kenny Dalglish, who was one of the best players in the history of Liverpool, they look more confident and they improved a lot."

Read more: Liverpool FC Official

Stay tune for more news and follow me on Twitter.

Read More