GWistooshort

The Mirror 1st mentioned £25,000 a week in a David Maddock article on 23 June The Daily Mail published an article on the same day which said Mascherano earns £30,000 a week Andy Hunter in the Guardian said "Mascherano signed a four-year deal worth an estimated £60,000 a week with Liverpool in February 2008" Whatever the correct figure, & I think the Guardian's is probably the most likely, it looks like someone had been briefing the press that Mascherano isn't happy with his wages given this line appeared for the 1st time as far as I can recall in 3 different papers on the same day

Spanish paper Mundo Deportivo via the BBC Gossip Column Original article (in Spanish) http://www.elmundodeportivo.es/gen/2009070...mascherano.html

Today's round-up of transfer speculation from the mainstream media concerning us & players we have recently been linked with… General transfer news The Times claims that “signing a new strike partner for Torres remains Benitez's priority this summer after he sold Robbie Keane” & that “Charles Itandje, Andriy Voronin, & possibly Andrea Dossena [have] all [been] deemed surplus to requirements at Anfield”. Andrea Dossena The Daily Mirror claims that Juventus’ interest in Dossena has “cooled”. Sebastian Leto The Daily Mirror, the Guardian & the Times all say that Liverpool received around £3m for Leto. Alvaro Arbeloa The Daily Mirror claims Liverpool & Real Madrid cannot agree on a fee for Arbeloa with Real offering £3m & Liverpool wanting at least £5m, but says “the deal is expected to be completed in the next few days” as Arbeloa’s agent, Manuel Garcia Quilon, is in Madrid for talks with Real. The Times says Real are “expected” to sign Arbeloa for £5m. Javier Mascherano The Daily Mirror claims Barcelona are “ready” to offer £25m for Mascherano, while the Daily Mail claims Barca are ready to spend their entire £26m summer transfer budget on Mascherano after accepting they won’t sign Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas this summer, although the Independent claims Barca are actually “set to turn their attention to Fabregas”. The Mail says £26m is “well short of Liverpool's valuation” & Barca will either have to offer players in part-exchange to Liverpool or raise additional funds by selling players. The Mail claims Barca’s Sporting Director Txiki Begiristain “has already had what was described as 'a brief telephone conversation' with Benitez”. The paper also says Mascherano “is thought to be keen to listen to Barcelona's offer” & the Mirror agrees saying “sources close to the Argentina international say he would be interested in speaking to Barcelona who are willing to hand him a huge pay rise from £25,000-a-week to over £80,000-a-week”. However, the Mirror says Rafa “will rebuff any bid from Barca, although he may have to hand Mascherano improved terms to keep him happy”. Xabi Alonso The Times reports Juventus President Giovanni Cobolli Gigli has denied media speculation that they are interested in Alonso, saying "there are a lot of names for midfield but not that of Xabi Alonso”. Meanwhile, the Daily Mirror claims Alonso is “set to join Real Madrid”, saying he “seems determined to quit Liverpool this summer & wants his future resolved before he is due to report back in just over 2 weeks time”. However, it says Liverpool & Real “remain poles apart in their valuation of Alonso” with Real only prepared to pay £22m & Liverpool demanding £35m. The Daily Telegraph claims Real are “confident they will secure Alonso for around £25m”. The Times reports that “just a few hours after officially becoming a Madrid player yesterday” Kaka said that Alonso “would be very welcome" at Real. David Silva The Daily Mail claims Liverpool may make a £18m-£20m offer for Silva “once they have banked the money from Xabi Alonso’s move to Real Madrid”. Falcao The Liverpool Daily Post Rumour Mill says press reports suggest Liverpool “may be targeting a late swoop” for 23-year-old Colombian striker Falcao, but “will have to move swiftly with Benfica strong favourites to sign him for a knockdown £3m fee” from cash-strapped River Plate in Argentina. It says Falcao has been linked to Arsenal, Aston Villa & Man Utd in the past. Matias De Federico The Liverpool Daily Post Rumour Mill says Liverpool “are believed to be monitoring” 19-year-old Argentine forward De Federico, who has said he thinks the Premier League would suit him well & has scored 5 goals in 29 league appearances for Huracan since making his debut in 2007. James McCarthy The Scotsman reports that Hamilton boss Billy Reid last night confirmed the club rejected an enquiry from Burnley for McCarthy, who has been linked with Liverpool in previous articles. Stewart Downing The Daily Mail claims Aston Villa have inquired about Downing, who has been linked with Liverpool in previous articles, & “may look at the option of a loan deal with a view to a permanent move” because of his foot injury, an option that the paper says in another article Spurs could also be interested in. The Mail says that “any hopes Middlesborough had of keeping Downing…were ended by their relegation from the top-flight” & they are “desperate to generate cash” needing “around £15m from player sales to balance the books”. David Villa The Independent claims Barcelona are “closing in” on signing Villa, who has been linked with Liverpool in previous articles, after the player reportedly met Barca's Sporting Director Txiki Beguristain. The Daily Telegraph also says Villa is “understood” to have opened talks with Barca. Samuel Eto’o Several papers, including the Times, report that Man City manager Mark Hughes has confirmed they have made an offer for Eto'o, who has been linked with Liverpool in previous articles, but that the “situation between the player & his club..has to be resolved”. Despite this, the Times claims Hughes “remains hopeful that a deal for Eto'o can be wrapped up soon”. Stephane Sessegnon Sky Sports report that 25-year-old midfielder Sessegnon, who has been linked with Liverpool in previous articles, has confirmed Chelsea have contacted his agent & that there are “other Premier League clubs” after him as well. Sky say Chelsea are reported to have been tracking Sessegnon “for some time” & are “thought to be weighing up a move”, while it says Everton & Man City “have also been credited with an interest”. However, Sky claims Sessegnon “insists he is happy to remain at PSG & is currently in talks over a new deal to extend his stay”. Michael Owen The Daily Mail claims “Everton, Hull & Stoke are the only Premier League clubs to express an interest in Owen”, who has been linked with a return to Liverpool in previous articles, after Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce repeated he isn’t interested because of Owen's injury record. In another article the Mail says Olympiakos have failed in a bid for Owen. Transfer window closes 31 August

I usually check most of the newspaper sites + the BBC, Daily Post/Echo, official site, Sky etc each morning for Liverpool news for my own interest anyway & decided several transfer windows ago that it wasn't much more work to go from reading it all anyway to collating it into a daily round up - I used to do it on Koptalk, but left after becoming increasingly disillusioned with life on there & moved over here instead

From the Liverpool Daily Post Rumour Mill............. Liverpool to swoop for £3m South American Striker Radamel Falcao? Jul 1 2009 PRESS reports suggest that Rafa Benitez may be targeting a late swoop for the highly rated Colombian striking sensation Radamel Falcao Garcia Zarate or plain old ‘Falcao’ as he’s usually known. The Liverpool manager will have to move swiftly with Benfica strong favourites to sign him for a knockdown £3m fee. The talented 23-year-old currently plies his trade for River Plate in Argentina but is on his way out of the cash-strapped club who reportedly still owe the player 400,000 euros which has held up his transfer to Portugal. Falcao recently signed a three-year contract extension with River to ensure the club receive a bigger fee from Benfica. The Lisbon giants were to purchase 80% of Falcao’s economic rights but the move has stalled. Falcao has been linked to the Premier League in the past but a possible move to Martin O’Neill’s Villa in the January transfer window failed to materialise as well as summer moves to Arsenal or Manchester United. http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverp...92534-24043282/

You could be right - I just tried to double-check & couldn't find anywhere official that confirms what time it ends

That's what all the reports were saying

I'm evidently not very good at impressions I was trying my best to be Rafa http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/archivedirs...090609-1116.htm

GWistooshort has today released the following statement. "Following speculation that GWistooshort & IcelandicRed are one & the same person, GWistooshort would like to make clear that he has never been IcelandicRed & has no intention of being IcelandicRed in the future. We want to put a stop to these rumours."

Thanks mate Doing the updates each day means I tend to remember most of it

Possibly, but there are some common themes across different papers which increase the chances that some of it has some foundation, unless of course they're just copying each other or getting it all from the same source For example: * Xabi has held talks with his agent since returning from the Confederations Cup * Rafa wants to keep Xabi * If they do sell, Liverpool want £30m-£35m * Real want to pay £20m-£25m * Real are interested in a combined deal for Alonso & Arbeloa

Home Secretary Alan Johnson to look into Hillsborough files release Jun 25 2009 Liverpool Echo NEW Home Secretary Alan Johnson is setting up a ministerial committee to work out how to release the Hillsborough files. And he will meet the families of the disaster victims within the next three weeks to decide how “justice is best served” after 20 years. He confirmed the government will drop the 30-year secrecy rule covering police and other key documents previously kept under wraps. And at a 45-minute meeting with Merseyside MPs he confirmed the documents could run to 20,000 pages. The chairmanship of the committee will be a minister of state either from his own Department, or from the justice ministry or one from a completely seperate ministry who would act as an independent arbiter. The committee will be up and running shortly before he meets the families some time before July 21. Mr Johnson, switched from Health Secretary in the recent Cabinet reshuffle, agreed the Hillsborough families have waited “too long” to get the “full picture” of events in Sheffield. He also believes the release of complex, and possibly conflicting, information has to ensure “full transparency” and that it could take a while further if he is to decide whether a public inquiry into alleged police mishandling, cover-up and bogus claims that Reds fans were to blame is justified. There will also be a focus on the “revolving door” inquests and a coroner’s ruling that all the victims died at the same time. That means the release could take until September or even October. Health Secretary Andy Burnham – heckled at the Hillsborough anniversary event – was also present at the meeting and argued that the files should be made available “as soon as humanly possible.” Halton MP and former minister Derek Twigg, who convened the meeting, said: “We are very pleased with this outcome. We wanted to know how advanced the work is towards progressing towards releasing these documents. “It has been advanced considerably and the families will be the first to know. There may be an understandable delay but that is only so that everything is done right after two decades of uncertainty, allegations and counter-claims. “The Home Secretary will keep the families informed.” http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-n...00252-23973247/

Real’s sporting director Jorge Valdano said on 16 Jun that “Xabi is a player who has little chance of joining Real Madrid”, but then on 23 June when asked about Alonso he said “We have possibilities there but I don't want to say anything that will make the negotiation more difficult. We will wait a reasonable amount of time.”

Juve reportedly accepted a bid of around £6.4m from Fenerbache, but Poulsen turned the move down http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11854_5403446,00.html He was also reportedly offered to Lyon in a swap for Fabio Grosso, but rejected that as well http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12961_5405722,00.html

Today's round-up of transfer speculation from the mainstream media concerning us & players we have recently been linked with… Xabi Alonso The Liverpool Echo reports Alonso has said he “does not know what will happen” regarding his future & that “it is up to the 2 clubs [Liverpool & Real Madrid] to negotiate now”. The Echo & the Daily Mail claim Alonso held talks with his agent on his return to Spain after the Confederations Cup & the Mail says he “reportedly told his agent he wants his future resolved by July 19”. The Echo says Rafa “wants to keep Alonso but accepts there is little he can do if the player wants to leave”, but “Alonso has so far refused to come out & publicly make his intentions clear”. The Daily Mail says Rafa will make “a determined effort” to keep Alonso, but it reports Xabi “is said to be keen on a move to the Bernabeu”. In another article the Mail says Alonso “is expected to declare he wants to leave”. The paper says Rafa has quoted a price of £50m for Alonso “in a bid to scare off suitors”, but that “sources in Spain say the actual valuation coming out of Merseyside is £35m”, although in a 3rd article it says “Liverpool [are] looking for £30m”. The Echo says that if Liverpool do "reluctantly" sell Alonso “it is believed they will demand a fee far closer to £30m” rather than the £20m it says reports in Spain suggest Real are hoping to pay. The Mail claims that Real “have bid £20m & are reluctant to go above £25m”, while it claims in one of the other articles that Real’s last offer was £25m. The Daily Telegraph says Real have reportedly bid £23m for both Alonso & Arbeloa, while the Guardian Rumour Mill puts the combined price for the 2 at £28m. However, the Mail claims that Liverpool & Real “are prepared to negotiate” & “if Alonso forces the matter” a deal could be done “quickly”. The Mail also claims that Real want to delay signing Alonso because they feel Real Sociedad’s 20% sell on clause, which the article says is believed to run out on July 18, is inflating Liverpool’s asking price. The Mail also claims that Real “are considering a £55m combined bid for Alonso, Javier Mascherano & Alvaro Arbeloa, but are prepared to negotiate players separately as Liverpool are unlikely to even contemplate losing both Alonso & Mascherano”. The paper also says that “reports in Italy suggest Juventus have made Alonso their No 1 target”. Alvaro Arbeloa The Daily Mail claims Arbeloa is in talks with Real Madrid & a “deal is expected to be completed today for £5m plus £3m based on performances”. Sebastian Leto The LFC official website confirms Liverpool have agreed a deal with Greek side Panathinaikos for Leto. Paul Anderson The Nottingham Forest official website has confirmed the signing of Anderson from Liverpool for £250,000. Astrit Ajdarevic Sky Sports reports Leicester have completed a permanent deal for Ajdarevic after being on loan from Liverpool last season. David Silva The Daily Telegraph claims Man Utd “may move for Silva”, who has been linked with Liverpool in previous articles. Stewart Downing The Daily Mirror claims Liverpool & Spurs want Downing & that he “is set to get the green light” to leave Middlesborough for £10m as his recovery from his foot injury means he “should be able to prove his fitness before the transfer deadline at the end of August”. Lorik Cana The Daily Express reports that Cana, who has been linked with Liverpool in previous articles, has said “the door remains open for a departure, even with 3 years remaining on my contract” & that “England & Germany are the 2 leagues that attract me the most”. The Express claims Arsenal have switched their attention to Cana after previous target Felipe Melo signed a contract extension with Fiorentina. Sylvain Distin & David Wheater The Daily Mail claims Aston Villa are keen on Distin & Wheater, who have been linked with Liverpool in previous articles. James McCarthy Sky Sports says it “understands” Burnley have had a bid of around £750,000 rejected for Hamilton’s 18 year old midfielder McCarthy, who has been linked with Liverpool in previous articles. Samuel Eto’o Several papers, including the Daily Mail, report that Eto'o's agent Josep Maria Mesalles has said Eto’o, who has been linked with Liverpool in previous articles, “wants to stay [at Barcelona]”, but would be “delighted” to join Man City if Barca don’t want him anymore. Mesalles said “We haven't spoken to [Man] City” & also denied reports in Spain that they had spoken to Man Utd & both Milan clubs as well. Mesalles also denied claims Eto’o is demanding more money, saying “We have never asked Barca to increase his salary this season by even a cent” & that “the talk of us asking for ½ of the possible transfer fee to City is entirely false”. The Daily Telegraph, the Independent & the Times all say that Man City won’t increase their offer to Barca or Eto’o. Michael Owen The Independent claims Owen, who has been linked with a return to Liverpool in previous articles, “expects to have a choice of either Aston Villa or Everton when his Newcastle contract runs out today”, with “the Owen camp confident” that both clubs “will make an offer”, although Owen “has made it clear that his 1st choice is Everton”. However, in another article the Independent reports that Hull remain hopeful of having a chance of signing Owen. Meanwhile, Sky Sports report that Greek side Olympiakos have denied reports they are interested in Owen. Antonio Valencia Man Utd have confirmed they have signed Valencia, who was linked with Liverpool in previous articles, for an undisclosed fee, which most papers, including the Daily Telegraph believe to be around £16m. Transfer window closes 5pm 31 August

Leto joins Panathinaikos http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N...090701-0657.htm

Xabi Alonso urges Liverpool FC and Real Madrid to sort out his future Jun 30 2009 by James Pearce, Liverpool Echo XABI ALONSO has urged Liverpool and Real Madrid to sort out his future. The 27-year-old midfielder has returned to Spain following the Confederations Cup in South Africa to hold talks with his agent. Alonso now has three weeks off before he is due back at Melwood for pre-season training and says he wants the long-running transfer saga settled before then. “I do not know what will happen,” Alonso said. “It is up to the two clubs to negotiate now.” Reports in Spain suggest Real are hoping to pay just £20million for Alonso but if Liverpool do reluctantly sell him it is believed they will demand a fee far closer to £30million. Reds boss Rafa Benitez wants to keep Alonso but accepts there is little he can do if the player wants to leave. Alonso has so far refused to come out and publicly make his intentions clear. [Then has the quotes from yesterday that have been posted already both separately & in my transfer round up this morning] http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-f...00252-24023249/

Today's round-up of transfer speculation from the mainstream media concerning us & players we have recently been linked with… Xabi Alonso The Guardian says Rafa is “determined” to keep Alonso & Mascherano & “will resist all approaches for them”, while the Times says Rafa is “adamant” they won’t leave. The Liverpool Echo says that Rafa “has been actively discouraging any interest” in Alonso & Mascherano & while “he has reluctantly accepted there is little he can do” if a player wants a move “he will not let both leave Anfield”. The Daily Mail claims Rafa will sell Alonso “once Real Madrid meet the £30m asking price”. The Times claims Alonso is “determined to leave” because he “is reluctant to continue playing for a manager who tried to offload him last summer” & “club sources have indicated that their relationship has passed breaking point”. However, Sky Sports report that Alonso has said "I do not think a move to Real Madrid is impossible, but I would also have no regrets at all staying at Liverpool” & he “has not closed any door” & “will just have to wait & see what happens”. Alonso also said that he is “happy in England”, although he “misses certain things from Spain”, & that his relationship with Rafa is “just like…with any other player”. He said he “cannot rule out a move or even staying in the Premier League”, but that "this situation is normal for me because I know what is actually happening, away from what is being reported [&] for that reason I am perfectly calm". Several of the papers claim Rafa plans to hold talks with Alonso, possibly this week, over his future now that the Confederations Cup has finished. The Echo claims that Rafa wants Alonso to “publicly state his intentions” if he does want to leave. Javier Mascherano The Independent reports that Barcelona President Joan Laporta has said “we will see what happens” about Mascherano joining Barca. Laporta said Mascherano “is a player I like very much” & pointed out that he is “a close friend of Leo Messi”. The Daily Mail claims Liverpool will offer Mascherano a new improved contract “in a bid to convince him to stay”, while the Times says Mascherano “would consider” signing an improved contract if one was offered. Alvaro Arbeloa The Times claims Arbeloa “should complete a £5m move to Real Madrid this week”, although the Liverpool Daily Post Rumour Mill says it is claimed Liverpool want £8m while Spanish paper AS claims Real are only prepared to pay £3m. Andrea Dossena Sky Sports says it “seems” Juventus have decided to sign Fabio Grosso instead of Dossena, but they “are reportedly struggling to fund the deal” with Mauro Camoranesi, Christian Poulsen & David Trezeguet all rejecting swap deals to Grosso’s current club Lyon. David Villa The Guardian reports that Fernando Torres has said “if Liverpool could sign anyone” he’d ask for Villa, but he’s “pretty sure” Villa would be too expensive for Liverpool plus “we don't really need another forward” with “Steven Gerrard playing behind the striker…scoring 20 goals a season". Tuncay Sky Sports says it “understands” that Aston Villa “are weighing up an approach for Tuncay”, while the Daily Mirror claims that Villa are “ready to” make a £5m bid for Tuncay, who is on £65,000 a week. Sky says “Liverpool have previously been credited with an interest [in Tuncay]”, but “it is Villa that are closest to making an official approach”. Stewart Downing The Daily Mail & the Guardian both report Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate’s comments that Downing, who has been linked with Liverpool in previous articles, is making good progress in his recovery from his foot injury & will see a specialist on 7 July, with the Guardian saying that “what Downing is told next week could hold the key to his immediate future”. It also says that “Spurs are understood to retain their interest in him, although they are not the only suitors, & it remains to be seen whether or not any of them are prepared to move now”. The Guardian claims Downing has a gentlemen's agreement with Boro “that he can leave…if a big club comes in at the right price” & the Mail claims he “is seeking a move back to the Barclays Premier League after Boro's relegation last season”. Antonio Valencia The Times says Man Utd are “expected to complete” the £15.25m signing of Valencia, who has been linked with Liverpool in previous articles, today. Samuel Eto’o Eto'o's agent, Josep Maria Mesalles has said Eto’o, who has been linked with Liverpool in previous articles, “will stay with Barcelona” & not join Man City unless there is “a 180-degree turnaround”. The Independent says that “sources at Barca suggested Eto'o's representatives were demanding £12.7m of the transfer fee”, but Barca refused. The Daily Mail claims that Barca president Joan Laporta “will do his utmost to force the transfer through after being incensed by Eto'os stance”, while the Daily Mirror claims Laporta “is desperate for Eto'o to go as he needs money for new signings - with bids for Valencia's David Villa & possibly Liverpool's Javier Mascherano in his 'to do' list”. Kerisson The Liverpool Daily Post Rumour Mill says Liverpool “are said to have missed out on Brazilian forward Keirrison”, who they were 1st linked with in January, after Barcelona swooped with an £11m deal. Gary O’Neil The Daily Mirror claims that Middlesbrough have offered O'Neil, who has been linked with Liverpool in previous articles, “to other clubs in the past week”. Roman Pavlyuchenko The Guardian says it “understands” that Villarreal have opened “preliminary talks” with Spurs over Pavlyuchenko, who has been linked with Liverpool in previous articles, & would be prepared to pay £8.5m rising to around £10m although Spurs want more. It claims Villarreal's back-up offer is a loan deal, but this is “unlikely to prove attractive” as Spurs want to boost their transfer funds. The Times claims Spurs have asked Villarreal for a fee plus midfielders Sebastián Eguren & Marcos Senna in exchange for Pavlyuchenko. Transfer window closes 5pm 31 August

Here it is............... 9 June 2009 RAFA RESPONDS TO LAVEZZI RUMOURS Jimmy Rice Rafa Benitez has dismissed reports Liverpool want to sign Napoli striker Ezequiel Lavezzi. Speculation linking the Argentine with a move to Anfield has been fuelled by the player's agent over the last few days. Benitez, though, is adamant no deal is in the pipeline. "We never contacted Lavezzi and we have no intention of doing so," he said. "We want to put a stop to these rumours." http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/archivedirs...090609-1116.htm

From Sky.................. Alonso refuses to rule out Real But £25m-rated midfielder would be happy to stay at Anfield Last updated: 29th June 2009 Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso insists he would have 'no regrets' about staying at Anfield, but has refused to rule out a big-money move to Real Madrid. The Spain international, who scored the winning goal for his country in Sunday's Confederations Cup third-placed play-off win over hosts South Africa, has been strongly linked with a £25million switch to the Bernabeu over the past 12 months. Alonso looked set to be sold last summer in order to make room for Gareth Barry, then of Aston Villa, before the deal collapsed and the 27-year-old is understood to have been offended by manager Rafa Benitez's apparent desire to cash in. Benitez maintains that he does not want to part company with the influential former Real Sociedad player, but Real are understood to remain keen to team Alonso with the likes of Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo as they form a new era of 'galacticos'. And Alonso is refusing to dismiss any outcome on his future, telling Don Balon: "In respect to all this I have not closed any door and we will just have to wait and see what happens. Positive "It is always positive when various teams are said to want you because that is better than nobody being interested, but I cannot say much more. "I know that I have to keep playing well and will be able to decide what happens next whenever it arises. "I do not think a move to Real Madrid is impossible, but I would also have no regrets at all staying at Liverpool." Reports on Merseyside claim that Benitez is to hold clear-the-air talks with Alonso this week as the pair attempt to settle their rumoured bust-up. No problem The 61-time Spain cap insists he has no problem working with his current boss, who brought him to England in 2004, but has not expanded upon their association. "My relationship with Benitez is professional, just like he has with any other player. I believe that is how things will stay too," Alonso continued. "I am happy in England and have adapted, but I do miss certain things from Spain. I cannot rule out a move or even staying in the Premier League. "I am happy there (England) and although I was a bit home sick at the start, I am still there. "This situation is normal for me because I know what is actually happening, away from what is being reported. For that reason I am perfectly calm." http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_5406126,00.html

This is what Xabi had to say about his relationship with Rafa just over a week ago........ Rumours of an uneasy relationship between Alonso and Benitez – who was prepared to sell the midfielder last summer – are not true, says the 27-year-old. “Each one has his own point of view. He is the manager and I try to do the best with what he tells me,” said Alonso. “We have a good professional relationship. We speak normally, saying what he wants from me and what I can give. He makes the decisions and we try to execute them. http://www.setanta.com//uk/Articles/Footba...ure/gnid-57717/

Today's round-up of transfer speculation from the mainstream media concerning us & players we have recently been linked with… Jesus Joaquin Fernandez (‘Suso’) The Daily Mirror claims that Fernandez, who it says “is a midfielder in the Cesc Fabregas mould”, “is flying in to sign shortly” after Liverpool beat Barcelona to his signature. David Silva & David Villa The Times claims “it is more likely” Rafa “will pursue his interest in Silva” rather than move for Villa because he believes “that to accommodate Villa he would have to build the team around [him]”. The Daily Mirror claims Man Utd are “still on the trail of Villa…despite his preference for a move to Real Madrid” & “will make their bid once the selling price is established”. Fabrice Muamba The Guardian Rumour Mill claims Liverpool want to sign Bolton midfielder Muamba if Javier Mascherano leaves. Tuncay Sky Sports says that according to reports in Germany Bundesliga champions Wolfsburg are interested in Tuncay, who has been linked with Liverpool in previous articles. Antonio Valencia The Daily Mirror claims that Valencia, who has been linked with Liverpool in previous articles, will have a medical today before completing his £16m move to Man Utd. Samuel Eto’o The Guardian claims Man City have made a formal £25.5m bid for Eto’o, who has been linked with Liverpool in previous articles, & he has informed City that he “wants to join”. The Independent believes City made a £25m offer yesterday & that a deal “is dependent on personal terms being agreed”. However, it says City “expect” to sign Eto’o & “hope to finalise a deal…this week”. The Daily Mail claims City & Barcelona have already agreed a £25m fee. The Daily Telegraph says “it is understood Eto’o has verbally agreed to the move” & City “hope” to make an announcement “later this week”. The papers claim Eto’o will be on wages of £180,000-£192,000 a week after tax, although the Independent says “sources at City have denied that Eto'o will be granted the kind of wages he is understood to be chasing – £190,000 per week after tax”. Michael Owen The Daily Mail claims Greek side Olympiakos have launched a bid to sign Owen, who has been linked with a return to Liverpool in previous articles. Transfer window closes 5pm 31 August

Sunday's (28 June) round-up of transfer speculation from the mainstream media concerning us & players we have recently been linked with… Alvaro Arbeloa The Sunday Mirror claims that Arbeloa is “desperate to…join Real Madrid”, who are ready to offer up to £8m for him, with his agent Manuel Garcia Quilon, who is also Rafa’s agent, saying Rafa “knows that it's best to let him go now”. Xabi Alonso The News of the World & the Sunday People both claim that Alonso’s Liverpool future depends on whether Real Madrid sign David Villa, who they claim wants to secure a move to Real when he returns from the Confederations Cup this week. However, if Real do not sign him both papers say they will move for Alonso because the club's President Florentino Perez has promised fans he will sign at least 1 Spanish player, with the NOTW saying Real will meet Liverpool's £25m asking price. The Sunday People claims Real “have to sell to raise funds to press ahead with deals for Alonso & Arbeloa”. Meanwhile, the NOTW claims in another article that new Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has handed the club “a wish list of stars to pursue”, including Alonso. Javier Mascherano The Sunday People claims Mascherano “will stay” at Liverpool while the News of the World says he “seems certain to stay” after midfielder Yaya Toure signed a contract extension with Barcelona. Charles Itandje Sky Sports report that Malaga, who have been linked in previous articles with a move for Itandje to provide cover for their 1st choice goalkeeper, have now signed keeper Gustavo Munua from Deportivo La Coruna on a free transfer. Fernando Torres The News of the World claims new Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has handed the club “a wish list of stars to pursue”, including Torres. Meanwhile, commenting on Man Utd’s reported interest in Torres the Sunday Telegraph says Man Utd “could offer the Ronaldo money & the deeds to Old Trafford for the Liverpool striker & [would] still be laughed out of Anfield by Rafael Benitez”. Adam Johnson The Sunday People claims that Liverpool continue to monitor Johnson as do Chelsea, although the News of the World believes he is a target for Chelsea, while Burnley have made an offer for him according to the People. Stewart Downing The Sunday People claims Spurs are making a £8m bid to sign Downing, who has been linked with Liverpool in previous articles, while Aston Villa have matched Spurs’ offer. Samuel Eto’o Several papers report that Barcelona president Joan Laporta has confirmed that Man City have made a "stratospheric” offer for Eto’o, who has been linked with Liverpool in previous articles, & although Eto’o “wants to stay…an offer like this is very difficult to refuse”. The News of the World claims a £25m deal has already been completed, with Eto'o “expected to travel to Manchester in the next few days to finalise the deal”. Laporta also said that the deal on offer from Man City would make Eto’o “the best paid player in the world”, with the NOTW claiming he will paid £180k a week after tax “with further bonuses tied to success”, while the Sunday Mirror, which says the transfer fee is £30m, claims his wages will be £200,000-plus-a-week. However, in a separate article the Mirror also claims that Man City “are threatening to pull the plug on their bid” for Eto'o “unless Barca slash their £40m asking price”. David Villa The Sunday Mirror claims that Barcelona are “likely [to] step up their efforts” to sign Villa if Eto’o leaves, with the News of the World saying that “sources believe” that if Barca are successful in signing Brazilian striker Keirrison they will loan him to Valencia “in return for them letting David Villa go”. Juan Mata & David Silva Several papers, including the Guardian, report that Fernando Torres has said "I hope Liverpool will bring people like Silva, Mata or Villa. These are small players with quality…& I want Liverpool to sign players like this. I have recommended the names to Benítez & I hope we have the money." The Independent says Mata & Silva are “more realistic targets” than Villa, who “is far more likely to join a Spanish club this summer”, “as Valencia's ongoing financial problems force them to offload”. Antonio Valencia The Sunday People claims Man Utd have "clinched" the signing of Valencia, who has been linked with Liverpool in previous articles, for £15.25m, while the Sunday Mail says "negotiations are approaching a conclusion" & Man Utd will sign him for £14m. The Sunday Telegraph says Wigan the transfer to be completed for £17m "this week". Javier Saviola Sky Sports report that Saviola, who has been linked with Liverpool in previous articles, has completed his move from Real Madrid to Benfica. Michael Owen The Sunday People claims that Owen, who has been linked with a return to Liverpool in previous articles, has spoken twice to Everton manager David Moyes & “friends say he is swayed by the idea [of signing for Everton] - despite his initial reluctance”. The article claims Owen is also waiting to hear about interest from Aston Villa, but that “may not come to fruition”, & Everton “want a definite answer”. It also says that “a source close to the player” has said they “don't think” Owen will be joining Hull or Stoke. The Sunday Mirror claims Villa will only show an interest in Owen if he “lowers his £50,000-a-week wage demands or accepts a heavily performance-based deal” & it quotes “a Villa insider” as saying "the door isn't closed on Owen because the club will monitor the situation, but the priority for the manager is to strengthen in midfield & defence & he has great faith in Gabby's [Agbonlahor] potential”. Roman Pavlyuchenko The Sunday Mirror claims Villarreal are the 1st club to show an interest in Pavlyuchenko, who has been linked with Liverpool in previous articles, but Spurs want to recoup the £13.8m they paid for the striker & Villarreal don’t want to pay that much. Transfer window closes 5pm 31 August

He qualifies in Jan next year (so in time for the knock rounds) based on the official site

According to Sky Juve are reported to have accepted a bid of around £6.4m for Poulsen from Fenerbache, but he's turned the move down http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11854_5403446,00.html