RafaShanks

Liverpool's out of favour keeper Chris Kirkland is due to sign for Wigan Athletic tomorrow. The Latics have been chasing the injury jinxed star all summer, but Rafa Benitez was not keen on agreeing to another loan deal for a player he feels can command a transfer fee. Benitez told the player at the end of last season that he could leave the club, but it had to be a permanent transfer as he would not be allowed to go out on loan again. West Brom had been keen to keep the player at the Hawthorns, but their relegation ended those hopes. Everton were also understood to be tracking him, but instead brought in Manchester United's Tim Howard on loan. That left Wigan as the front runners, but Paul Jewell did not want to splash out on a player who has major question marks about his fitness. Negotiations have been going on for some time, and TLW understands a compromise has now been reached and Kirkland will join Wigan tomorrow, initially on loan we believe, with a permanent deal in place for January 1. TLW Shame we couldn't get any money for him. Let's hope he stays fit till January. Another one off the wage bill.

PALETTA RELISHING PREMIERSHIP CHALLENGE Paul Eaton 09 July 2006 New signing Gabriel Paletta has admitted he can't wait to get his Anfield career underway following his move from Argentina. The 20 year old centre back - nicknamed 'the new Ayala' in his homeland after the veteran Argentine skipper - completed his transfer from Banfield last week and has started working with his new team-mates at Melwood. He admits he still has much to learn but he's confident he can soon make an impression in English football. "I think I'm ready for the move to England," he said. "It's every South American player's dream to play in Europe. It's impossible to turn down the opportunity when it arrives. "I don't fear moving into English football. I'm not arriving as a star. I'm just a young player hoping to make progress. "My strengths? My fight, physical power and my aerial game. In Banfield the people have said that I was the best English player in the team. Now I want to demonstrate these qualities in England. But I know I will have to learn quickly. "Liverpool are one of the best clubs in the world and any player would want to play there. It's sensational for me to know that Rafael Benitez has the confidence in me to sign me." But Paletta insists he's embarrassed to be compared to Robert Ayala, the legendary Argentina captain. "Roberto is a proven star and compared to him I'm only an apprentice," he added. "In my opinion, Ayala is a monster. A massive player and a massive winner." Offal

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Don't worry mate. Alves has said that he only wants to join us, with others clubs sniffing around.

How much money have we offered according to the ever reliable Mirror?

We've resigned Richie Partridge.

Didn't yesterday's reports state more negotiations this weekend?

Please let this be true, even though it's in the feckin Mirror. :praying smiley:

Where's that Viduka thread gone?

Win our next 36 and number 19 is in the bag.

Would you check if he called himself a c***?

I reckon we should start charging you £2000 for every time you post.

Take a bow son.

Impossible to tell at moment with Aurelio and Gonzalez yet to kick a ball for us and Traore/Warnock still here, as already mentioned. Why not wait till they've played a few friendlies.

Ballague just interviewed on SSN and asked about Alves to LFC. He said that "once Rafa gets a player in his head, he will get his man." He also said that Rafa is waiting for the right opportunity. He looked confident about what he was saying.

Sack Parry.

£500k I think. Amazing business considering the Del Nido factor.

Oh the irony.

Anyone know how much Zambrotta is likely to cost?

http://www.calamaro.com/tintaroja/tintaroja.asp

All genius' are allowed one minor flaw.

Isn't Mark taking Robbie's no 11 shirt?

Sly on the ball as usual. This was from OM's site yesterday: Transferts 16:11 - 05/07/06 Cissé deal: "One or two things to sort out" Pape Diouf has confirmed that the negotiations to bring Djibril Cissé to Marseille on loan is advancing. "Until all the papers have been signed and every last detail ironed out, then we can't say that Djibril Cissé will definately be joining Olympique de Marseille," revealed OM president Pape Diouf on Wednesday. The Marseille president was in Liverpool on Tuesday to continue discussions with the English club: We have almost reached agreement on all the points which will will lead to a one-year loan. I still have one or two things to sort out with Rick Parry, the Liverpool Chief Executive. The agreement has to be approved by his board. But I'm very hopeful that it will happen. It could happen very quickly now. As for Djibril, I speak to him on the phone practically daily. In his mind, he is already an Olympian."

Sky Sports breaking news: Birmingham accept £5.5m bid from Wigan for Emile Heskey. *breathes a huge sigh of relief*

Not at this great club. c*** of a man!!!