GWistooshort

You're right - the BBC story which I posted first described it as an academy, but the story on the official site describes it as a football development centre, which will run courses on coaching, refereeing, sports science, sports turf technology & football industry management, while "aspiring young footballers will be able to combine their studies with football playing under the guidance of Liverpool FC coaches".

Article from the official site on the new LFC academy that opened in India today http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N...090608-1301.htm

From the official site........ MCPARLAND OUTLINES ACADEMY DIRECTION Jimmy Rice 8 June 2009 Newly appointed Academy director Frank McParland outlines some of the changes he is overseeing as a new and exciting era begins down in Kirkby. There has been much speculation recently on the future direction of the Academy. I was asked by Rafa Benitez to conduct a strategic review of the Academy earlier this year. The conclusions of that review have been fully accepted and agreed by Rafa and his technical team and will now be implemented under my direction. I will continue to report directly to Rafa. Clearly, there are going to be changes in both personnel and the way we do things at the Academy, but uppermost in our minds is need to provide the best possible environment for the future development of all our young footballers. It has been decided that separate branding for the Academy will no longer be used - including the sign on top of our building. The Academy is an integral part of the club and will now be badged accordingly. It has a hugely important part to play in the future success of Liverpool FC and the change reflects that fact. There will be much closer liaison between Melwood and the Academy, and Rafa himself has been hugely supportive of the direction in which we want to move forward. We will examine every part of the Academy's operation and will be looking to make improvements not just in the coaching set-up, but also in areas such as medical, physio and fitness work. One new initiative will see the appointment of a head of sports science, who will tailor specific programmes for individual age groups to help them progress more quickly. We will also assess the current facilities and where necessary invest in upgrading these. We have already committed to renewing both of the astro-turf pitches and work on this project will begin shortly. I spoke before of changes in the staffing structure and our first appointment has been Jose Segura, who took up his role as Academy technical manager on June 1. Jose brings huge experience to the role, having worked at Barcelona for both their youth system and Barca B team, where he helped develop world class players such as Andres Iniesta, Gerard Pique, Victor Valdes, Bojan Krkic, Mikel Arteta and Cesc Fabregas. He has also had great success in Greece, at both AEK Athens and later as manager at Olympiakos where he led the side to a Greek League and Cup double. Jose is a great appointment and the first of several key positions which we need to fill. Work continues to identify the best possible people to get the Academy working properly again and producing players that can progress through to the first team. I hope to be able to confirm other additions to our team within the next month. Jose will bring with him experience and ideas from working in other countries and it's important going forward that we combine the best influences from abroad with what I see as the English mentality. This to me embodies passion, aggression and desire. We want players who are hungry to play football and achieve success with Liverpool. We need to return to the philosophy of passing and moving quickly. We have to develop a winning mentality in every one of our players. http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N...090608-1254.htm

& low & behold............. "Lavezzi, who has made no secret of his desire to quit the Serie A outfit, has also courted attention from Manchester City." http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_5369143,00.html

The Rumour Mill in today's Liverpool Daily Post has included a likelihood rating for each of the rumours included, which is the 1st time they've done so this transfer window Crouch to Liverpool 1/5 Dossena to Juve & de Ceglie to Liverpool 3/5 Pandev to Liverpool 2/5 Arbeloa to Atletico Madrid 3/5 Benayoun to Atletico Madrid 2/5 http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverp...92534-23815679/

I think Pirlo would struggle in the Premiership due to the pace & physical nature of the game here If we had the money I'd be tempted to consider getting in Huddlestone from Spurs, who's reported to be available for £6m, not as a replacement for Xabi now, but to learn from Xabi & possibly replace him if he left for Spain in 2 years or so, when Huddlestone would still only be 24, because I think Huddlestone has the potential to fill the Xabi role for us in the future, although he isn't near Xabi's level at the moment I'd need to be confident that he had the right mentality we are looking for & that the reasons he hasn't established himself as a regular at Spurs would be able to be overcome with us

From the BBC........... Monday, 8 June 2009 Premier League giants target India By Bill Wilson Business reporter, BBC News India remains an untapped market for English football clubs Monday's opening of a Liverpool Football Club-backed soccer academy in the Indian city of Pune marks the latest chapter in the quest by Premier League teams to gain a foothold in one of the world's largest markets. East Asia, Africa, the Middle East, the US, as well as more traditional countries such as Canada and Australia, have all been explored as clubs seek to maximise returns on their brands overseas. But until recently India was seen as off-limits because of the huge popularity of cricket there. However, a growing and increasingly-affluent middle class, the regular broadcasting of Premier League games, and an identification of English football with youth and glamour means the door is slowly opening. Liverpool and Chelsea are looking at establishing academies with a revenue-earning aspect attached to them, while Arsenal and Manchester United have initiated talent hunt schemes in India. Tottenham Hotspur has also identified India as one of its targets for international development and has met major Indian firms with a view to forming partnerships. And Indian children have trained at Everton Football Club. The UK's Deputy High Commissioner in Mumbai, Vicki Treadell, told the BBC at a meeting of UK India Business Council that there were many opportunities for British firms across the sport and luxury brand industry fields, including for football clubs. "These are markets with huge growth potential and many opportunities for UK and Indian firms to work together," she said. Liverpool FC is currently looking to refinance its large loans, but that has not stopped its Indian venture. The Anfield club announced at the turn of the year its ambition to help set up a football development centre at Pune, south of Mumbai, the first of its kind in India. In February Ian Ayre, the commercial director of Liverpool, went to India to meet Vishwjeet Kadam, the host of the proposed development centre and driving force behind football in Pune. The club will give technical support, in terms of coaches and scouts, to help train young potential footballers, and in return will receive a high-profile presence in western India. Mr Ayre has said he envisages the LFC-backed centre "projecting football as a lucrative career option not just as a player, but as a manager, coach, administrator and support staff as well". And he said Liverpool cannot go into India hoping to sell £45 replica shirts, but must "have a sustainable plan that touches all the demographics of the Indian market". Indian national team coach Bob Houghton has accused the leading English clubs of getting involved in the country "as a purely business proposition". But Sharon Bamford, chief executive of the UK Indian Business Council, has praised one of those clubs - Chelsea - for realising they have a corporate social responsibility in the country. And Chelsea officials insist that they want to build a long-term relationship with potential Indian customers, so that "people feel confident with Chelsea as a product". "We are new to India," Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon said at the meeting of the UK India Business Council at Stamford Bridge. "We are still at the information and intelligence gathering stage, and are not making money out of it." He said that over the past year the club had been trying to understand the marketplace, and opportunities for Chelsea. "I have been there four times in the past year," said Mr Kenyon. "There has been a tremendous enthusiasm and excitement. "It is a football-mad environment - you see children playing football in the street - but there are different challenges there from other parts of the world. "However, the boom in Premier League popularity has helped. Kick-off times work very well with India. " When the Premier League was established in 1992/93 season it was broadcast in 27 countries,. Now it is beamed into 210 nations. Mr Kenyon said that just because cricket was the number one sport in India it did not mean that football clubs could not be successful. "India is cricket mad and that is one of the questions we have asked ourselves - 'is there room for football?' We believe that there is. "It is not about competing with cricket, but finding a niche where football can grow and we can do business. An indication of the growing interest in football in India can be seen in fact that World Cup TV rights there went for $3m in 2002, but have been sold for the 2010 tournament for $40m. "Football is bracketed with youth whereas cricket is seen seen somewhat as 'the sport of my fathers'." However he did acknowledge that Twenty20 cricket was "capturing the imagination" of the same demographic Chelsea is aiming at. "But the knowledge of Chelsea is already there in the Indian market, it isn't about having to tell them who Chelsea are," Mr Kenyon said. He said that meant the club could concentrate on looking at the business opportunities. "If not on day one, but at least along the way, you have to start to generate a return from what you are doing," he said. "This is a very long term strategy, but we are looking to make money. There is no point in someone being busy all around the world, and not be making some return on it." Chelsea's target demographic is urban, web and mobile literate, and English speaking. Their venture, he said, would also include a strong corporate social responsibility (CSR) element. "Football can be a massive factor for good in India. There is very little in the way of existing-football related social programmes." Chelsea helped launch and is development partner in the Asian Football Confederation's Vision India programme, to raise standards the games standards in the continent, on and off the field. While European clubs were keen to lend expertise and experience, India needed to ultimately take the lead in its own football development, Mr Kenyon said. "There are real, real, positives in India for an English club as I believe football has got a real future in India over the next 10 years ," said Mr Kenyon. "What we have got to concentrate on is being partners, with everyone from the top administrators down to the grass roots. "India can experience the same sort of growth pattern in football terms that it has set itself in economic terms." http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8083210.stm

A round-up of today's transfer speculation from the mainstream media concerning us & players we have recently been linked with Xabi Alonso The Times reports that Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez told them yesterday that Real would “love to have” Alonso, but that Liverpool, who are “determined to hold on to Alonso”, responded by “making it clear yesterday that they have no intention of selling the Spain player” & “are adamant that they will resist any move” for him. However, the article claims that Alonso, who “has been unsettled for some time”, “has made it clear that he wants to move on” & he wants “to move to Real”. It also says Alonso met Rafa after Liverpool’s last game of the season “to try to force the issue” & that he was “reluctant to play” in the Champions League qualifying match against Standard Liège in August “to avoid being cup-tied in Europe with any potential new club”. The article states that “sources at Anfield” indicated “it would take a mind-blowing offer” to buy Alonso, whom Arsenal & Man City have also been linked with, with “suggestions that £25m would tempt Benítez to sell laughed off as being nowhere near Liverpool’s valuation”. The Guardian agrees that Alonso is “thought to be keen on a move to his native Spain” & that “Liverpool, & Benítez in particular, are likely to value him much higher” than the possible fee of £22m which has been reported. Glen Johnson The Daily Mail says it “is looking increasingly remote” that Johnson, who has a gentleman’s agreement with Portsmouth that he can leave “if their valuation is matched”, will join “cash-strapped” Liverpool. Johnson, in whom the article claims Chelsea & Man City have registered an interest, said after England’s victory on Saturday that “It will be a dilemma if a top club comes in for me, but at the moment I haven’t got that decision to make. No-one has spoken to me and nothing’s been said.” The Guardian reports that Johnson added “As far as I'm concerned, I'm a Portsmouth player & I will be for some time to come”, although the paper believes “much will depend upon Pompey's prospective takeover”. It also says Liverpool have “admired Johnson's progress from afar”, while the Independent agrees that Liverpool “appreciate the player”, although it believes Rafa “is not the type of manager who would offer Johnson [the] time [he needs] to grow”. Johnson also revealed that he “was frustrated every day at Chelsea” because he was paid to play football, but football was what he was doing “the least’’ & it took his move to Portsmouth to make him “love the game again”. Michael Owen The Birmingham Post says Aston Villa “appear ready” to try & sign Owen, who has been linked with Liverpool in previous articles & whose Newcastle contract runs out on 30 June, but faces competition from “a number of other clubs”, including Everton & several foreign teams, including Roma. Antonio Valencia The Daily Telegraph says “highly-placed sources” at Wigan insist they have yet to receive any offers for Valencia, who has been linked with Liverpool in previous articles, despite reports on Sunday they had received bids of £16m+ from Man Utd & Real. The Daily Mail claims that Man Utd “are reluctant to pay the £16m asking price” because “despite an agreement in principle being made between the clubs in December, United scouts have not been wholly impressed by Valencia's performances in the 2nd half of the season”. However, the Daily Mirror claims Man Utd “are ready to clinch a £17m deal for Valencia in the next few days”. Transfer window open: 1 July - 5pm 31 August Deals can be done before 1 July, but a player can only move to his new team when the window is open

He's just been announced the winner of the inaugural Football Supporters Federation Player of the Year award. http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/200...15875-21420900/

Sothampton's holding company went into administration in April & the Football League applied a 10 point penalty, although it appears that the situation was different to LFC, perhaps crucially so, in that the holding company itself was solvent, but the club wasn't This is from the BBC............ "The south coast outfit had hoped to avoid the punishment as they argued that it was their parent company Southampton Leisure Holdings plc (SLH) which had gone into administration on 2 April - not the football club. But a League investigation by "independent forensic accountants" found that the football club and SLH were "inextricably linked as one economic entity" and applied their mandatory penalty. The League also found that: "The holding company has no income of its own; all revenue and expenditure is derived from the operation of Southampton Football Club and the associated stadium company. "The holding company is solvent in its own right. It only becomes insolvent when account is taken of the position of Southampton football club and the other group companies." http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/t...ton/8014811.stm The Football League's statement is at http://www.football-league.co.uk/page/News...1636735,00.html Southampton haven't ruled out appealing the decision once a takeover is completed

The article reckons he'd expect wages of £70,000-a-week On the subject of possible back up strikers Trezeguet has said he will leave Juventus "if there is an offer I really like" - could potentially be part of deal with Dossena joining Juve? http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12961_5359591,00.html

A round-up of today's transfer speculation from the mainstream media concerning us & players we have recently been linked with General transfer news Talking about his summer transfer plans on the LFC official website Rafa has said "We know we still need to improve in some specific areas” & “we will be working very hard to do that over the summer". Meanwhile, the Sunday Times says it was told by “a senior Liverpool source”, who has “detailed knowledge” of the purchase of Liverpool by Hicks & Gillett & “insight into how they have run the club since”, that Liverpool has “more spare cash to spend than any club except Chelsea” & the club’s transfer budget this summer will be “a minimum of £20m plus sales”, with Rafa “free to exceed it if he can make a convincing case”. Xabi Alonso The News of the World claims that Alonso is “unsettled” & “edging closer to an exit” from Liverpool, but will not be joining Man City as he “insists he will not move to another Premier League club” according to another article. The Sunday Mail claims Alonso “is weighing up a move to Real Madrid”. Michael Owen The News of the World says Owen’s “hopes of returning to Liverpool have been dashed after Rafa shunned a last-ditch plea to take him back to Anfield”. The NOTW claims Villa have already made contact with Owen's representatives & the player believes that Villa boss Martin O'Neill “could help him rediscover his form & force his way into the England squad”. However, Villa are ‘only’ prepared to pay Owen £50,000 a week, £70,00 a week less than he was earning at Newcastle. Everton are also interested “but sources close to Owen say the ex-Liverpool striker is wary of the move”, while Spurs are also “monitoring the situation”. The Sunday People claims that Owen will reject the chance to sign for Everton, the team he supported as a boy, “because of his links to Anfield”, & will join Villa, with “a source close to Owen” telling the paper “Michael is fully aware that Everton are interested, but he made his name with Liverpool & joining their great rivals is something he feels uncomfortable about." Meanwhile, the Sunday Mirror claims Roma are considering making a move for Owen, but that “sources close to him believe he will opt for an English club with Everton & Man City the favourites for his signature”. Glen Johnson The News of the World claims that Liverpool are “confident of beating Chelsea to the signing of £10m Johnson” & “will lodge a bid when Johnson returns from international duty with England”. The article claims Rafa “hopes Johnson's previous unhappy spell at Stamford Bridge will influence his decision” & Rafa “can [also] guarantee Johnson he will be a 1st choice next season”. However, the Sunday People claims Johnson will move back to Chelsea this week in a deal worth £16m, once England's World Cup qualifiers have finished, with Liverpool unable to compete due to their financial problems. The Sunday Mail agrees that Johnson “seems to be Chelsea bound”. Javi Martinez The Sunday People claims Man City will make a move for Atletico Bilbao midfielder Martinez, who is also “being tracked by Liverpool” & “has also been watched by Chelsea”, “this week” & that the £16m or so it will take to tempt Bilbao is “no problem” for Man City. David Silva The Sunday Mail says Silva is “seemingly out of Liverpool’s reach”. Tuncay The News of the World claims that Tuncay, who has been linked with Liverpool in previous articles, is “set to” join Fenerbahce. Adam Johnson & Gary O’Neil The Sunday People claims Fulham are “heading the race” to sign Johnson & have enquired about Johnson & O'Neil, both of whom have been linked with Liverpool in previous articles, in a double deal which would be worth about £8m. Carlos Tevez The News of the World claims Liverpool target Tevez is “set to join” Man City, who “believe they are close to” signing him according to another article. Peter Crouch The Sunday Mirror claims Liverpool will attempt to re-sign Crouch for as little as £4m. Portsmouth still owe Liverpool ½ the £8m transfer fee for Crouch, which is due to be paid over the next 18 months, leading Liverpool to think they could make a bargain signing when Pompey were attempting to deal with a financial crisis a few weeks ago. However, the paper claims Portsmouth's takeover “appears to ensure that there is no immediate requirement to sell Crouch” & even if Pompey did decide to sell him “they are likely to favour a deal with another club who are prepared to make a far bigger cash offer than Liverpool”, with Aston Villa, Blackburn, Man City, Spurs & Sunderland all having “declared their interest”. However, the Sunday People claims that Crouch “will be sold by Portsmouth - whether the club is taken over or not - with the money going to help pay off the club's debts”, with Sunderland having “a strong chance” of getting the £12m-rated Crouch. Goran Pandev The Sunday People claims Liverpool are “weighing up” a £15m move for 25-year-old Lazio striker Pandev, who has scored 51 goals in 134 games for the Italian club, “after being priced out of a move for David Villa”, valued at £37m by Valencia. The article claims Bayern Munich & Spurs are also keen on Pandev. Antonio Valencia Sky Sports “understands [that] Wigan have received bids in excess of £16m from Man Utd & Real Madrid for Valencia”, who has been linked with Liverpool in previous articles. Transfer window open: 1 July - 5pm 31 August Deals can be done before 1 July, but a player can only move to his new team when the window is open

The Guardian published some figures earlier this week............ Chelsea Debts £701m Interest £0 Man Utd Debts £699m Interest £69m Arsenal Debts £416m Interest £26m Liverpool Debts £280m Interest £21m (estimated) Fulham Debts £197m Interest £1.8m Man City Debts £147m Interest £10.7m Newcastle Debts £106.2m Interest £6.6m Middlesbrough Debts £93m Interest £7.2m Aston Villa Debts £73m Interest £5.8m Sunderland Debts £69.2m Interest £3.9m Wigan Debts £66.4m Interest £1.7m Spurs Debts £65m Interest £3.95m Portsmouth Debts £57.7m Interest £6.6m Bolton Debts £52m Interest £3m Everton Debts £39m Interest £3.9m West Ham Debts £36m Interest £2m Blackburn Debts £17m Interest £1.5m West Brom Debts £8.9m Interest £91,000 Stoke Debts £2.3m Interest £49,000 Hull Debts £1m Interest £52,000 http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/ju...ier-league-debt

A round-up of yesterday's (Saturday 6 June) transfer speculation from the mainstream media concerning us & players we have recently been linked with General transfer news The Daily Telegraph reports that “club sources are adamant” that Liverpool “will continue to compete for the best players” & that it “understands that a transfer budget was agreed with Benitez before the end of the season” & that Rafa “is content with his resources”. Andrea Dossena Several papers, including The Liverpool Echo, report Dossena’s admission that he has told Rafa that he “wanted to leave” Liverpool. According to Dossena, Rafa told him “that if they receive an offer that satisfies both the club & me, he will take it into consideration & try to facilitate my transfer”. Dossena said he would “run to Juve”, if they bid for him. The Independent claimed that Liverpool are “unlikely to fetch much more than £3m” for him. Alvaro Arbeloa Arbeloa, who has been rumoured to be looking to return to Spain due to homesickness, has said he is “very happy at Liverpool [&] in England” & that he “hopes to continue there”, reports the Liverpool Echo. Javier Mascherano The Daily Mail claims the Liverpool “face an uphill struggle to keep Mascherano from Barcelona’s clutches” with the Spanish club discussing a £22m bid as Mascherano’s wife “has struggled to settle on Merseyside” & the player “feels he has fallen behind others on pay after a recent round of rises at Anfield”. The Mail says in another article that Barca believe Mascherano “is unsettled following reports that his agent offered the player to Real Madrid recently” & are considering offering French left-back Eric Abidal, “who they believe is a target for Benitez”, as part of the deal. In yet another article, the Mail says Liverpool “may need to look at his contract again at some stage this summer if they wish to keep hold of the Argentine as there will also be other big name clubs pursuing him over the next week”. Xabi Alonso The Daily Mirror claims Liverpool “face losing Alonso, unhappy at being touted around for a second summer, with no replacement in the pipeline”. David Silva The Daily Mirror claims Liverpool have increased their initial £15m offer for Silva to almost £18m, following interest from Real Madrid, who they know “have the financial muscle to elbow them aside”. Silva “is expected to leave Valencia because of their financial situation” according to the Times & the Daily Mail says he is “expected” to join Real, although the BBC Gossip Column reports that according to Spanish paper Marca Real son’t want to pay over €20m for him. The Daily Telegraph says that Silva “is believed to be [Rafa’s] priority & it was reported that, while ostensibly on holiday, Benitez met the player last week”. The Guardian agrees that Rafa “has earmarked Silva as a marquee signing for this summer” & claims “the Liverpool chief scout, Eduardo Macia, who signed Silva for Valencia as a schoolboy, sounded out a possible move earlier this year”. The paper claims “Rafa had hoped Valencia's financial problems would encourage a swift deal for approx £17m for Silva but, with Real now entering the race, the price is likely to rise & leave Benítez waiting on sales before he can match their offer”. Commenting on reports that his agents met with Real Silva said "I do not know about anything that has happened because I have been at my home in Canary Islands & I have not spoken to my agent…it is an honour that a team like Real Madrid are interested". Carlos Tevez The Daily Telegraph says Liverpool “want” Tevez but “can't afford him” claiming in another article it “looks like they will miss out on Tevez, who may well join Gareth Barry at Eastlands”. The Daily Mirror agrees that Tevez, whose head has “been turned” by Man City’s offer of £120,000-a-week, is “almost certain” not to be joining Liverpool, who “simply cannot match” City’s offer. Stewart Downing Middlesbrough Chief Exec Keith Lamb has said that “if the right offer comes along Downing will be allowed to leave" reports the Times. Stating that they “hoped” Downing would return from his current injury “before” the 6 months suggested, Lamb continued “if someone wants to take a chance on him now, it's up to them…it's out of our hands”. In another article, the Times says Downing “would be expected to interest” Liverpool & Spurs. However, the Daily Mail claims Liverpool & Spurs “have switched to other targets and his future will hinge on Boro's valuation”. The Independent believes that Rafa “has long been an admirer” of Downing & may now “be able to get his man” following Boro’s relegation. Glen Johnson The Daily Mirror claims that “after being confident” of signing Johnson for £12m “Chelsea are threatening to beat Liverpool to the England right-back”. The Daily Mail says Liverpool are “preparing to throw in the towel…as Chelsea close in on a deal”. Michael Owen The Independent claims that Owen “could be set for a return” to Liverpool. Raul Albiol The Daily Mirror claims Valencia centre back Albiol is a target for Liverpool, but they face missing out on him as he “is attracting interest” from Barcelona & Real Madrid. Mauro Zarate The Independent claims Rafa is “eager to sign” Zarate & Liverpool have “stepped up their efforts” as Lazio delay in securing a permanent deal for him. Marek Hamsik Napoli’s 20-year-old Slovakian international Hamsik, who can play left midfield or left back, “is rumoured to be interesting Benitez”, according to the Independent. Transfer window open: 1 July - 5pm 31 August Deals can be done before 1 July, but a player can only move to his new team when the window is open

We were linked with him in the Liverpool Daily Post earlier this week when his agent said we are “seriously interested” in signing him & that a deal “all depends” on whether we sell Dossena, who we “would like to replace with De Ceglie” the agent said. According to the article, 22 year old De Ceglie is rated at £6m & is considered one of the best young defenders in Italy. He broke into the Juventus 1st team this season, making 23 appearances, & is expected to be selected for the full Italy squad shortly. http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverp...534-23773297/4/

It's 24 July according to the articles about the recent accounts

I'd read that he used his friend - Michael Standing from memory, an ex-team mate - for advice, but didn't know he is an agent

FWIW Barry didn't use an agent in this transfer, having sacked his agent after last summer

From today's Guardian........... Liverpool's plan for new stadium hit by debt crisis Andy Hunter and David Conn • 'No chance' of 73,000-seat ground unless owners sell • Takeover interest from Dubai and Kuwait dries up The prospect of Liverpool building a 73,000-seater stadium while Tom Hicks and George Gillett are in charge is more remote than ever following revelations about the debt incurred by the club's American owners. The need to find wealthy owners to fund proposed new stadium in Stanley Park was the sole reason the club was sold, and the Americans promised that work would commence within months of their takeover in February 2007. Its projected profits continue to influence the co-owners' valuation of the club. The stadium, however, has been "subject to delay" since the economic crisis began to take effect last August and there are no signs of progress, despite millions being spent by Liverpool on preparation works. When asked about the stadium project yesterday, one Liverpool source responded: "You can forget about that." The regeneration of the Anfield area is dependent on Liverpool's new stadium and has also stalled as a consequence. Last month the leader of Liverpool city council, Councillor Warren Bradley, renewed his calls for Liverpool and Everton football clubs to consider a shared stadium and warned the city could be overlooked as a host venue for the 2018 or 2022 World Cup because of both clubs' inability to deliver new arenas. Accounts published on Thursday confirmed Liverpool's parent company, Kop Football (Holdings) Limited, owned by Hicks and Gillett, suffered a £42.6m loss for the year ending July 2008 despite posting a record turnover of £164.2m. It was accompanied by a warning from the club's accountants, KPMG LLP, over Kop's ability to continue as "a going concern" should the co-owners fail to refinance a £350m lending facility before a 24 July deadline. As of January, according to the accounts, Hicks and Gillett had spent £313m of their facility with the Royal Bank of Scotland and Wachovia. It is estimated they will also need to borrow an extra £400m to complete work on the new stadium. Hicks and Gillett, however, remain confident of refinancing their £350m debt with RBS and Wachovia next month. The pair recently met RBS officials to discuss an extension to the loan and were told they would have to significantly increase their personal contributions for the banks to agree. The extension will be for at least six months, possibly with an option for longer, with the personal guarantees estimated to be in the region of £100m-£150m. Despite the parent company's losses, the strained relationship between Hicks and Gillett and the open hostility they have faced from Liverpool supporters since details of their takeover emerged, the Americans are not expected to sell the club in the short term. Hicks, in fact, remains adamant that he will oversee the construction of the new stadium or will at least have a stake in Liverpool when it eventually does rise. Interest from Dubai and Kuwait has diminished due to financial conditions and the Americans' valuation of Liverpool respectively, and it is expected the refinancing deal will allow Hicks and Gillett to remain in situ until market conditions improve. A new investor may then be required to fund the new stadium. The announcement of the losses coincided with renewed efforts by the Liverpool supporters group, the Spirit of Shankly, to pressure the RBS out of the proposed refinancing deal next month. Supporters are being encouraged to write to the RBS manager responsible for the Liverpool account and MPs opposing continued cooperation between the bailed-out bank and the club's owners. John Mackin, spokesperson for Spirit Of Shankly, said: "It is time that, as well as using our money, they actually listen to us. Say no to Hicks and Gillett. Force them out. Let us look for a more viable, a more fitting and responsible option in the best interests of Liverpool Football Club, and not just in the interests of the corporate greed of the current owners." http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/ju...ew-stadium-debt

A round-up of yesterday's (Friday 5 June) transfer speculation from the mainstream media concerning us & players we have recently been linked with General transfer news The Liverpool Daily Post says the current state of LFC’s finances “should not impact on manager Rafa Benitez’s transfer kitty, though, as the owners are said to recognise the club must remain a success on the field if they are make money from the club in future”. The Times agrees saying that “despite being unable to compete with Man City in the race to sign Gareth Barry” Rafa “has been assured that the owners will provide funds for him to spend in the transfer market this summer”. Xabi Alonso The Daily Mirror claims that Man City will make a £20million bid for Alonso, who has “resolved to find himself another club” after he “lost faith” in Rafa “when he tried to sell him behind his back last summer”, since when they have had “an icy relationship”, & “when it seemed the same would happen at the end of this season”. The paper claims Alonso’s 1st choice would be a move back to Spain with either Real Madrid, who have “already been [in] contact”, but contrary to reports have not yet made a concrete bid although “it seems certain” they will make an offer of around £18m, or Barcelona, “who are also monitoring the situation”. However, it believes Man City “have the financial clout to make him think again” & “given their desire to land Alonso, they would be prepared to top anything Real could offer”. The Daily Mail disagrees, claiming that “Alonso would prefer to stay in England” meaning “Liverpool may yet have to field offers from Premier League rivals” although Rafa’s “favoured option would be to sell to a foreign club”, with the money on offer from Real for Alonso “tempting”. The Independent reports that Real are “said to be confident of signing Alonso”, who “is said to be unhappy at his treatment last summer when he was nearly sold to make way for Gareth Barry”. The Mirror claims Rafa “wants Alonso to ask for a move, absolving him of all blame from the fans…but the midfielder is reluctant to do that because he feels he has been forced out”. It goes on to say that Alonso’s departure would leave Rafa “in a difficult situation” because he “was caught napping by City over Barry & he has no obvious alternative as a replacement for Alonso”. Andrea Dossena Sky Sports reports that Dossena has confirmed he has spoken with Rafa about his lack of 1st team football last season & that they “agreed to find a common solution". Dossena has been linked with a return to Italy, with Juventus, “who were understood to be competing with Liverpool for his signature in 2008”, rumoured to be keen on defensive reinforcements. When asked about Juventus Dossena said "Of course I would like it. Someone spoke about this possibility at the end of last season. But then Liverpool arrived." David Silva The Times claims that Silva’s representatives held talks with Real Madrid last night leaving Liverpool “in danger of missing out on another summer signing”. Real apparently believe Silva will cost “little more than the £20m Juventus offered last summer”. The BBC claims the likelihood that Valencia will have to sell Silva “has increased after the resignation of president Vicente Soriano” following his failure to improve the club’s financial situation. The Daily Mail claims Rafa is “beginning to lose hope” over Silva as “there are questions over whether he can afford” him with his overall budget “believed to be as little as £15m, plus anything generated from sales”. Glen Johnson The Daily Mail & the Daily Telegraph both say that Johnson is “expected” to re-join Chelsea, despite “interest from Liverpool”. The Telegraph says “it is understood” that Johnson, who is “likely” to leave Portsmouth this summer, despite signing a new contract last year, for a fee that could be more than £15m, is “keen on the move”. The paper says Chelsea's interest “has increased dramatically in recent days” & Spurs “are also understood to have inquired” about him, “but are unlikely to compete with the other clubs when it comes to the fee being demanded”. The Mail claims, as with Silva, Rafa is also “beginning to lose hope” over Johnson. Tuncay The Daily Mail claims that Tuncay, who is likely to cost £5m-£7m, is “down the list of targets at Anfield”. However, the paper says Fenerbache have a “strong interest” in him & Chelsea “may make a move if they fail to land other targets”, while Portsmouth “may also show an interest”. Carlos Tevez The Guardian claims that Man City officials are “still hopeful” of signing Tevez, who has been linked with Liverpool in previous articles, despite Wednesday’s “positive” talks on Tevez’s future between Man Utd & Kia Joorabchian, at which “it is understood” Utd agreed to pay the £25.5m full asking price for Tevez. Brede Hangeland The Times claims Fulham have placed a £15m valuation on Hangeland, who has been linked with Liverpool in previous articles, to try to dissuade interested clubs, which include Aston Villa. David Villa The Daily Telegraph claims that Rafa “has still not given up on his ambition to partner Fernando Torres with Spanish international team-mate David Villa” (although it is possible they were getting Villa mixed up with Silva). Transfer window open: 1 July - 5pm 31 August Deals can be done before 1 July, but a player can only move to his new team when the window is open

This was in the Daily Mail yesterday........... "Sportsmail understands three representatives of the India-based GMR infrastructure company, who hold the franchise for the Delhi Daredevils cricket team in the Indian Premier League, have met intermediaries acting on behalf of Liverpool's American owners to discuss a takeover." http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/...is-deepens.html

A round-up of Thursday's (4 June) transfer speculation from the mainstream media concerning us & players we have recently been linked with Xabi Alonso The Liverpool Echo claims that Gareth Barry’s transfer to Man City & Real Madrid’s proposed £56m purchase of Kaka “increases the likelihood of Xabi Alonso remaining at Anfield this summer”. Andriy Voronin The Liverpool Daily Post reports that Voronin is “expected” to be sold this summer having returned from his season-long loan at Hertha Berlin. Gareth Barry The Daily Mirror says it can reveal that Liverpool did make a late bid for Barry “late on Tuesday night, but were ultimately put off by the player's wages”. The paper claims that Rafa “spoke to Barry to try to persuade him to choose Anfield, but when he learnt the England man was being offered £90,000 a week by City, he reluctantly pulled out of the running”. The Liverpool Echo reports that “Sources in the Midlands suggested Liverpool failed in a last-ditch bid to sign Barry yesterday”, with Liverpool “believed to have matched Man City’s £12m offer but by then the deal…had already been completed”, meaning Rafa “will have to go back to the drawing board on his summer transfer targets”. According to the Guardian “Liverpool proposed spreading the payments [for Barry’s transfer fee] over the course of a 5-year contract”, while Man City “paid the £12m fee up front”. The paper also claimed Barry “did not want a repeat of last summer's protracted transfer saga”. The Daily Star claims Barry turned down Liverpool’s late offer because he “had become disillusioned with Liverpool after the drawn out fiasco last summer when they baulked at Villa’s £18m valuation before paying £20m for Robbie Keane” & “Liverpool had also earmarked him for a role on the left side of defence or midfield when he prefers a more central position”. This is supported by the Echo which says “Barry has been aware of Liverpool’s ongoing interest but it is believed his desire to move to Merseyside cooled in recent weeks after Benitez told him he had been earmarked for the left-back or left midfield slots rather than his favoured central role”. Barry himself wrote an open letter to Villa fans & said he joined Man City because they “were the club prepared to meet the valuation, which for a 28-year-old, with a year left on his contract, I think shows how much they wanted me…I was also desperate to avoid any long drawn-out saga…Also the World Cup has always been a major part of my thinking & I feel at Man City I will get the chance to play regularly in my best position”. Kleber The Daily Mail reports that Brazilian club Cruzeiro have said that neither they nor the agent of striker Kleber, who recently claimed that Liverpool have made a £6m offer for him, “have been made an offer from any European club at this time”. A Cruzeiro spokesman said there had been discussions between his agent the club “about what would happen if a 7m euro offer was made”, but they have “no interest in negotiating for Kleber” & “told him that the club would not discuss any offers of less than 15m euros”. Kleber has said he doesn't want to talk about the matter anymore & if he gets an offer which is profitable for him & Cruzeiro his agent & the club “will try to sort it out”. David Silva The Daily Mirror claims that Rafa “met with” Silva in Spain “earlier this week” & Silva told him “he would love to play in the Premier League”. The paper says Rafa would pay around £17m for Silva, but “he will pull out of the bidding” if Valencia try to start an auction with Barcelona & Real Madrid. The Daily Mail agrees that Silva “would like to go to Anfield”, despite interest from Barcalona & Real Madrid, but Liverpool will have to sell in order to find the cash, which could mean Albert Riera being sold. In another article the Mail says Rafa “has not given up hope of agreeing a fee” for Silva, while The Independent claims Liverpool are “leading the £16m pursuit” of Silva, whose departure from Valencia this summer is “inevitable”. Glen Johnson The Daily Mail claims that Chelsea are in talks with Portsmouth re-signing Johnson “with the deal probably completed early next week” for a fee that could eventually reach £17m, “despite interest from Liverpool”, who “may respond today with an increased offer”, but they “need to sell first & cannot match Chelsea’s spending power”. In another article the Daily Mail says Johnson is “keen” to Liverpool, but they “may not have enough cash for all their potential new signings” & Man City will also make “a substantial offer” for Johnson & Bayern Munich & Spurs are also interested. Danijel Pranjic Sky Sports states that Pranjic, who has been linked with Liverpool in previous articles, has confirmed he is close to signing for Bayern Munich, for a fee of £8.7m according to reports in Germany. Silvain Distin The Liverpool Echo & the Daily Mail both believe Liverpool are set to offer £2m for Distin, while the Times thinks the offer has already been made. The Echo reports that Liverpool are “in the market for a new centre-back following the departure of Sami Hyypia” & Rafa believes Distin “fits the bill”. The paper also reports that Liverpool were interested in Distin 2 years ago, but he joined Portsmouth instead “in order to get regular 1st team football”. Bolton & Spurs have also been linked to the 31 year old Distin, who has 1 year left on his contract. Tuncay A number of papers, including the Liverpool Daily Post, report Tuncay’s comments that, when asked about “possible interest from Liverpool”, he said “I’ve heard something about that, but nothing official has arrived to me”. The Daily Post says that Liverpool are “in the market for a new striker during the transfer window” following Robbie Keane’s departure & Rafa “has made bolstering his strikeforce a priority”. The Daily Mirror agrees, saying that Rafa “has been looking for a 4th striker who won't break the bank…to allow him to concentrate his summer transfer funds on other key areas in his squad” & “who is happy to fill as a support striker to Torres & be prepared to act as back up from the bench”. The Mirror says “Tuncay fits the bill” & Rafa “ran the rule over the Turkey international in the final weeks of the season & he liked what he saw”. The Daily Mail claims that Liverpool will bid £5m for Tuncay. However, the Guardian says David Silva is Rafa’s “preferred option”. It’s widely reported that Tuncay, who scored 8 goals this season, is expected to leave Middlesborough in the summer following the club’s relegation, with the Guardian claiming he would cost around £8m. The Times claims that Fulham also want him, while he has been linked with Chelsea in recent months. Gary O’Neil The Liverpool Daily Post says that Middlesborough’s Gary O’Neil “is among several options being considered” by Rafa, after he missed out on Gareth Barry, with midfield another area he “is looking to address”. The Daily Post reports that Rafa was linked with a move for O’Neil when he was at Portsmouth & “has continued to monitor his progress” at Boro. The Daily Mail agrees that Rafa is “considering an approach [for O’Neil]”. the Guardian claims Rafa is “an admirer” of O'Neil (& his team-mate David Wheater) & is “interested” in 26-year-old O'Neil, who can operate in midfield or at right-back, “as he looks to improve the depth of the Liverpool squad”. However, the paper says O'Neil is understood to be keen on a move down south, with his family failing to settle after his £5m transfer from Portsmouth in 2007. Carlos Tevez The Times, the Daily Mail & the Daily Express all claim that Man Utd have agreed to pay the full £25.5m asking price for Tevez, who has been linked with Liverpool in previous articles. Several papers report that Kia Joorabchian, head of the consortium that owns the economic rights to Tévez, held his expected meeting with Man Utd Chief Exec David Gill to discuss Tevez’s future at Old Trafford yesterday, with the 2 hour talks described as “cordial”. Joorabchian will now put United's contract, described as “a take-it-or-leave-it offer” by the Telegraph, to Tevez, who will make a decision in the next week or so, although it may not be finalised until after Argentina's upcoming World Cup qualifiers. The Guardian says Tevez “is known to want to remain in England & preferably the north-west” if he leaves Man Utd & Man City will lead “a host of clubs” keen to sign him if the opportunity arises. The Times claims Man City, whose manager, Mark Hughes, confirmed his interest in Tévez yesterday, have already informed Joorabchian “they will pay the full fee & wages of at least £135,000 a week”. Antonio Valencia The Independent claims that Rafa “would love to” steal Wigan winger Valencia ahead of Man Utd & the player may consider other clubs “especially if a 1st-team place can be guaranteed”. Michael Owen The Independent claims Everton are favourites to sign Owen, who was linked with Liverpool in a previous article, but that Wigan could also be interested. Transfer window open: 1 July - 5pm 31 August Deals can be done before 1 July, but a player can only move to his new team when the window is open

There has been talk that Sjneider & Robben are going to Milan as part of the deal for Kaka if it happens

Quite a good round up of the accounts in the Liverpool Daily Post today..... Full scale of Liverpool FC owners' £359m debts revealed after £41m annual loss Jun 5 2009 David Bartlett THE full scale of the debt Liverpool FC’s American owners have saddled the club with can today be revealed. Despite increasing turnover and a 60% rise in TV income, Kop Football Holdings – a company through which Tom Hicks and George Gillett own LFC – made a £41m loss before tax. Liverpool’s parent company suffered mainly due to interest payments on the debts the Americans took on to buy the club. Most worryingly, in the annual accounts submitted today, LFC’s accountants have also warned that remaining uncertainty over refinancing the £350m debt before the July 24 deadline may even “cast significant doubt on the group’s and parent company’s ability to continue as a going concern”. Although Hicks and Gillett say they are confident of securing a refinancing deal, the figures reveal the financial success of the football club is being swallowed up by the cost of servicing the parent company’s loans. The accounts for the year ending July 2008 showed Liverpool made a £10.2m profit but the parent company Kop Football (Holdings) Ltd made a substantial loss of £41m, mainly due to interest payments totalling £36.5m. The clubs accountants KPMG LLP also expressed a warning in their notes in the filed accounts. The accountants said: “The group has credit facilities amounting to £350m which expire on 24 July 2009. The directors have initiated negotiations to secure the replacement finance required by the group and these negotiations are ongoing. “These conditions... indicate the existence of a material uncertainty which may cast significant doubt on the group’s and parent company’s ability to continue as a going concern.” The club’s turnover was a record £161.8m compared to £133.9m the year before, with a profit of £10.2m. That was reflected by a similar turnover for Kop Football (Holdings) of £164m - most coming from the football club - but the overall loss of £42.6m. The majority of the loss was down to interest being paid on the £350m refinancing loan it took out with Royal Bank of Scotland and Wachovia last January. Today we can reveal: * In total Kop and Liverpool FC Limited paid £40.1m in servicing debt and overdrafts in the year to July 31, 2008. * Kop’s debts have increased by £77.5m to £359.7m, due to spending on players and the new stadium. * Kop has also been saddled with a new £58.2m debt, which is owed to its own parent company Kop Football (Cayman) Limited, also owned by Hicks and Gillett. The money is payable on demand, but not if doing so would make the company insolvent. Kop also owes £2.4m in interest to Cayman, but none was paid in the year. The information was disclosed in accounts filed with Companies House, and follows the revelation of the club’s own finances. Liverpool FC Limited recorded a pre-tax profit of £10.2m for the year to July 31, 2008, an improvement on the previous year’s loss of £21.7m. Turnover shot up to £159.1m mainly as a result of the lucrative TV deal which the Premier League secured with leading broadcasters Sky and the BBC. As a result Kop had a turnover of £161.8m, but still made a huge loss because of the debts. The accounts show Kop paid bank and overdraft charges of £35.4m, while Liverpool FC Ltd paid £4.7m. It is understood the owners have put in around £40m cash in the past year. Hicks and Gillett have to refinance the £350m debt by July 24, and are expected to be asked by the banks to inject more of their own cash. The accounts state: “Directors are actively considering a series of options which include a revised debt facility with its current providers and potential equity financing. “The fact that facilities are not currently in place to fund all projected cash requirements over the next 12 months indicates the existence of a material uncertainty which may cast significant doubt upon the group’s ability to continue as a going concern... “The directors have a reasonable expectation that the group will secure adequate resources to enable the group to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future.” The current state of the finances should not impact on manager Rafa Benitez’s transfer kitty, though, as the owners are said to recognise the club must remain a success on the field if they are make money from the club in future. Today a club source said: “The bulk of the debt is in Kop, so the two sets of accounts have to be seen together. The club’s accounts don’t give a true picture. “The big issue is the level of interest that is being put on the club. “The worry is that you might keep servicing the loan and paying the interest, but never actually repaying the loan. “It’s OK as long as the owners keep signing off cheques, and they should be given credit for that. “But the club is not generating sufficient cash in itself to pay the interest and provide finance for players.” In the same financial year £18.7m was spent on planning, design and some ground works for the new £350m 60,000 seater stadium planned for Stanley Park. Last year the club put the plans on hold due to the credit crunch and said the stadium would be open in time for the 2012/13 season. “Since the decision to delay construction work, further preparatory expenditure has been incurred and a transport study has been undertaken to support an increase in seating capacity to 73,000 which will be submitted in the second quarter of 2009,” the accounts state. It is understood the club may delay putting in a fresh planning application until there is more clarity about the financial situation. The accounts added: “The directors continue to monitor the useful economic life of the existing stadium which they consider to be five years including the current year.” http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverp...92534-23793468/

A round-up of Wednesday's (3 June) transfer speculation from the mainstream media concerning us & players we have recently been linked with Yossi Benayoun Benayoun has revealed he has received some offers “from England & Spain”, but would "rather stay at Liverpool [for] 4 more years", even if it was “Real Madrid knocking on my door”. The Daily Mail believes Atletico Madrid, Man City, West Ham & Villareal are all interested in Benayoun, who the article claims feels that “after just turning 29…there is one more big pay day to come & an offer of contract talks at Anfield would be enough to banish any thoughts of moving on”. Javier Mascherano According to the Daily Mail “reports in Spain suggest intermediaries have offered Mascherano to Real”, while the Daily Mirror claims Real are willing to pay £18m for Mascherano & could offer Gabriel Heinze in part-exchange. Xabi Alonso New Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has confirmed that he is “interested” in Alonso & that he “would love him to come to Real Madrid”, reports Sky Sports & the Daily Mail. According to the Mail “sources in Spain suggest a £22m transfer is close” & “it is suggested” that Perez “has been in touch with Alonso's representatives for some time”. The Liverpool Daily Post reports that Liverpool “are bracing themselves for a substantial bid from Real for Alonso”, who Perez has identified as “a prime transfer target”, as “reports in Spain maintain Real are preparing a deal worth around £23m” & considering offering Gabriel Heinze or striker Alvaro Negredo as part of the deal. The Times claims Alonso’s departure from Liverpool this summer is “likely” & that he may join Real, although the Mail says Arsenal, Chelsea & Man City are all interested in him. The Guardian says Alonso “will have to announce an intention to leave Liverpool to make [any deal] happen”, but “there are no signs of reconciliation” with Rafa after his attempts to sell Alonso last summer took “a serious toll” on their relationship. Gareth Barry Former Liverpool target Barry has signed for Man City for £12m on a 5 year deal, with newspaper reports putting his wages at £80,000 - £130,000 a week, despite Steven Gerrard saying that he would “still like to see Barry join Liverpool”. Both the Liverpool Daily Post & the Guardian say Rafa was “keen” on signing Barry this summer; however Liverpool “failed to make a bid” for Barry according to the Daily Telegraph. The Guardian says Liverpool “cannot compete financially with Man City” & claims Man City signing Barry is “unlikely to come as a major shock to Benítez”, while the Daily Mail reports that a “source close to the deal” said “City have blown Liverpool out of the water” & in another article that Man City were able to steal a march on Liverpool as the Anfield club “looked for ways of reaching the asking price & funding a deal”. According to the Independent Rafa “went on holiday last Thursday & is still thought to be abroad”. The paper reports that “one source” said Rafa is “probably choking on his paella at the news about Barry & City" while “another source suggested Benitez would not be too concerned at missing out on Barry, especially if he can retain the services of Xabi Alonso”. The Daily Mail claims Barry “indicated in his talks with City that he was concerned at how he would be used in Benitez’s controversial rotation policy”, while the Daily Post said he was “guaranteed a regular 1st-team place” by City manager Mark Hughes. Carlos Tevez Both the Guardian & the Times say Liverpool are unlikely to sign Tevez with the Guardian stating that they “cannot compete financially with Chelsea, Real or Man City” while the Times believe Man City “are likely to beat Liverpool to the player’s signature in a deal that would cost almost £54m over 4 years”. The Daily Mail claims that “sources close to Gareth Barry have indicated that Mark Hughes [said he] was ‘almost certain’ to sign Tevez, even though the official stance from City was merely that they remained confident” & says “it is understood that Tevez himself is very attracted to the prospect of a move to City”. All 3 papers report Tevez’s future with Man Utd is likely to be resolved either today or tomorrow in a meeting between Man Utd Chief Exec David Gill & Tevez’s representative Kia Joorabchian & that if he doesn’t stay at Utd Man City will make an attempt to sign him “later this week”. David Silva The Daily Mirror claims Liverpool have bid £15m plus Andriy Voronin for Silva, who is also wanted by Real Madrid. Ezequiel Lavezzi The Guardian claims that “reported Liverpool target” Lavezzi seems “ever more likely” to be leaving Napoli after saying in a letter to fans that he has been treated with "a lack of respect" by the club, amid reports of a falling out with Napoli’s sporting director. Reports in Italy suggest Lavezzi's representatives have met with Man Utd in Madrid with a view to a move to Old Trafford. Lavezzi’s agent, Alejandro Mazzoni, claims he has an offer on the table from a big club but insists nothing has been decided yet. Mazzoni said "There is a very real offer from a team who are playing in the Champions League & where he would earn much more than here. The lad wants to stay at Napoli. But for him what's more important is dignity which is above contracts, national teams, money - above everything. If it was for the city & fans he would stay, 100%, but if it was for the relationship between us & the directors, it would be close to zero." The Liverpool Daily Post says Liverpool “could step up their reported interest” in Lavezzi as a result. Javi Martinez The Guardian says Athletic Bilbao's central midfielder Martínez “is a possible alternative to Gareth Barry for Liverpool”. Paolo De Ceglie The Liverpool Daily Post reports Juventus left-back Paolo De Ceglie’s agent Carlo Pallavicino has said that Liverpool are “seriously interested” in signing his client. Pallavicino said any deal “all depends” on whether Liverpool sell Andrea Dossena, who they “would like to replace with De Ceglie”. 22 year old De Ceglie is rated at £6m & is considered one of the best young defenders in Italy. He only broke into the Juventus 1st team this season, making 23 appearances, & is expected to be selected for the full Italy squad shortly. Michael Owen The Times reports that Steven Gerrard has said that he “would love to see” Owen, who was linked with Liverpool in a previous article, get a move “to a big club” & if he were a scout or a manager, he “would be giving Owen a ring”. Transfer window open: 1 July - 5pm 31 August Deals can be done before 1 July, but a player can only move to his new team when the window is open