GWistooshort

A few bits & pieces from the papers today re players we've been linked with........ Hangeland says he wants to stay at Fulham http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/...-Hangeland.html Tevez says it is more likely he will leave Man Utd than stay with them & that he would "like to go to Spain" although he has "no preference for a team" http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/ma...-premier-league Ribery says "it would be difficult for me to stay" at Bayern Munich if they don't qualify for the Champions League http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11881_5259228,00.html

From today's Daily Mirror........... Tottenham, Liverpool and Aston Villa all keen on £16m Glen Johnson By Football Spy 30/04/2009 Portsmouth want £16million for England right-back Glen Johnson - with Tottenham, Liverpool and Aston Villa all interested. Pompey's huge valuation has already been quoted to a big European club and they intend to hold out for the full fee to cut their debts. Harry Redknapp of Spurs is keen on Johnson, who he bought from Chelsea while boss at Portsmouth. But he will have to pay even more than he forked out for striker Jermain Defoe. Pompey will not be tempted by swap deals - they need straight cash to pay their mega wage bill. http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/200...15875-21319899/

FWIW Bascombe also mentioned it in a recent piece, although it was an £8m bid by us http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/sport/2412...midfielder.html I'd expect him to cost about £10m

You're right, but....... Last year O'Neill said he wouldn't stand in Barry's way if we paid £18m - therefore Barry stayed at Villa O'Neill has said this year he wouldn't stand in Barry's way if Villa didn't qualify for the Champions League - therefore Barry is likely to leave The difference is that now the price isn't the deciding factor - Villa should be willing to negotiate rather than demand a price, particularly given that Barry stayed & gave them the extra year O'Neill asked him to, & Barry's value has gone down because he has 1 year less on his contract & is a year older

O'Neill has publicly said on several occasions that Villa won't stand in Barry's way in they fail to qualify for the Champions League this season, so they shouldn't be so pig-headed about the price although whether that means they'll accept £8m remains to be seen

Robin Van Persie? I think Arsenal's much improved form in the 2nd half of the season has convinced him to sign a new contract tho

I see Barry's best position as a centre mid & as a replacement for Lucas so we choose 2 out of Alonso, Barry & Mascherano depending on form, fitness, injuries, suspensions, the opposition etc I was just saying that if we sign him his ability to play left back means we could offload Dossena as well as Lucas therefore freeing up extra transfer funds & wages - I don't think we need Aurelio, Insua, Dossena & Barry & of our 3 current left backs I'd sell Dossena Barry played left back against Portsmouth in October

Barry's ability to play left back means signing him would allow us to sell Dossena as well as Barry would be a fine back up to Aurelio & Insua

Because Hicks & Gillett want Peter Keynon?

From the Daily Telegraph......... The appointment of a successor to outgoing chief executive Rick Parry, meanwhile, has moved a step closer after co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett appointed headhunters to lead the search. Simon Cummins, head of the sports practice at London-based recruitment consultants Odgers Berndtson, will be responsible for compiling a long-list of candidates for the job, which falls vacant at the end of the season. Odgers have worked extensively in sport, recently recruiting Andy Anson to lead England’s 2018 World Cup bid and working with the ECB on the appointment of Andy Flower. Cummins was selected from a shortlist of UK-based companies after being interviewed by both Hicks and GIllett. The joint role played by the co-owners in recruiting Parry’s successor is an indication that the pair are working more closely than was the case earlier in the season. They want a world-class candidate capable of representing the club and helping extend Liverpool’s commercial reach, though their ability to work with Benitez will be as important. Parry was left with no option but to leave after he lost the support of both Benitez and Hicks. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/...reth-Barry.html

From the Daily Telegraph.......... Juventus plot return for Liverpool's Xabi Alonso Juventus are believed to be considering returning to Liverpool for the second successive summer in an effort to tempt midfield playmaker Xabi Alonso to swap the Premier League for Serie A. By Rory Smith Last Updated: 7:47PM BST 28 Apr 2009 The Turin side's manager Claudio Ranieri tried to sign the Spanish international last summer but failed to match Rafa Benitez's asking price, believed to be in the region of £16 million, as his Anfield counterpart tried to raise funds to sign Aston Villa's Gareth Barry. Alonso has arguably been Liverpool's most consistent player this season and last week Benitez insisted he wanted to keep hold of the midfielder, one of his first signings upon arriving in England in the summer of 2004. While Benitez would be loath to part with Alonso, one of his most trusted on-pitch lieutenants, he has admitted he cannot guarantee he would not be tempted to part with the former Real Sociedad player if the club received the right offer. Asked if he would reject an increased bid from Alonso's former suitors, Benitez simply said: "I don't know if Juventus would have that amount of money this summer because there is a crisis all around the world. We will have to wait and see. We didn't want to sell him last summer but in football everybody has a price." Ernesto Bronzetti, the Italian superagent who advises many of Serie A's top clubs on transfers, admitted on Tuesday he still sees Alonso as the ideal foil for another former Liverpool midfielder, Momo Sissoko, in Ranieri's midfield. He said: "I would try to bring in Alonso. There was a long chase last summer for his signature, of course, so it is a road we know. Pairing him with Sissoko would be a title-winning midfield. The problem is that it would be very hard and expensive to take such an important player away from Liverpool." Alonso's long-time suitors, Real Madrid, are also thought to be tracking his progress, with presidential candidate Florentino Perez especially keen on landing him, should he win the Spanish club's forthcoming elections. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/...abi-Alonso.html

From Sky Sports........... McCarthy keen on Hyypia Wolves boss admits interest in defender Last updated: 28th April 2009 Wolves manager Mick McCarthy has admitted he would be interested in signing Sami Hyypia from Liverpool in the summer. The veteran defender could be available on a free transfer at the end of the season and a number of clubs are reported to be keeping tabs on his progress. McCarthy is looking to strengthen his squad after steering Wolves to promotion and he would like to bring in some experienced players. "If Sami Hyypia was available and would consider coming to Wolves as a club who have just come up, then great," he told the Express and Star. "If Sami is on a Bosman and we could talk about it then of course I'd be interested. But he's been linked with a quite a few clubs." http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11669_5251617,00.html

Birmingham Mail Apr 28 2009 Liverpool-linked Gareth Barry promises to be "respectful" to Aston Villa by Bill Howell GARETH Barry has promised to remain respectful to both Villa and the supporters before making what he still describes as a “difficult” decision on his future. But he has insisted he is not dreading another summer of speculation. The England midfielder’s on-off switch to Liverpool got ugly 12 months ago with rival managers Martin O’Neill and Rafael Benitez exchanging jibes through the media and Barry was eventually barred from the training ground for joining in. With one year left on his contract, Barry is expected to be strongly pursued by Benitez but with the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester City also holding an interest this summer. O’Neill still harbours hopes of being able to retain his skipper while also indicating some weeks ago that he is unlikely to stand in Barry’s way should he pursue a desire to play in the Champions League. Barry insists that whatever transpires there will be no repeat of last year’s saga. “I’ve learnt a lot from what happened and last season I learned a lot off the pitch,” he said. “I’m looking for a completely opposite scale of things and I’m confident it won’t be one of those sagas again. “There are things I’ll do differently. I’m not dreading it at all. I know what’s coming. It’s not something you dread, it’s part of the game.” Barry’s long-time agent Alex Black is now out of the equation with the player leaning on his long-time pal Michael Standing to smooth waters with O’Neill. “From the experience of last year I’m hoping to deal with it better,” said Barry, whose focus remains on trying to steer Villa to fifth in the table, the best of his decade as a professional. “It would be disrespectful to the fans and the club if I’m thinking about anything else rather than trying to get maximum points from the last four games – that’s where my head is at this moment. “It will definitely be a difficult decision but we’ll see where we are at the end of the season before making any decision. “It’s always going to be a tough one, no matter what happens. “A lot of the spotlight was on me because of what happened in the summer so it was important I just got my head down and did what I try and do. That’s what’s happened.” Barry has been delighted with both Villa’s and his own form this season, despite the current 12-game winless run, as it has helped him maintain his starting role with England coach Fabio Capello. “It’s helped with the way my team-mates have played,” he said. “There’s a lot of individuals who have performed very highly, so being part of a successful team helps. “I’ve been happy with the way I’ve been playing and, touch wood, I’ve managed to stay fit again and play the majority of the games.” http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-s...97319-23490540/

Liverpool Daily Post Apr 28 2009 Rafa Benitez ponders Liverpool FC summer sales Nick Smith RAFAEL BENITEZ has been handed his summer budget – but may have to sell players to ensure he can land his main targets. The Liverpool manager is already planning to raid the transfer market this summer as his side stands on the verge of their best Premier League finish of his five-year reign. Benitez admits that the circumstances of his side’s season – they go into May and are still in with a chance of pipping Manchester United to the title – makes it more difficult to improve the squad. But the Spaniard is determined to boost his side’s chances of ending their championship drought by bringing in more quality players in the forthcoming window. “Every single year it is important to sign good players, the right players. This year will be the same,” said Benitez. “We know we have better players than before and it will be more difficult to find better players than we have now. “But still we have to do it. “We are working very hard during the whole season, looking and watching players. I think that we will be ready.” Benitez has warned, however, that he is still financially constrained when it to comes to landing his top targets. He has made the top three most expensive buys in Liverpool’s history over the past two years with varying degrees of success. But splashing out on the calibre of player needed to take Liverpool to the next level could lead to something of an Anfield exodus in the summer. “We are not talking about names and money,” added Benitez. “We are working on targets and we will try to do things as quickly as possible and as cheap as possible. “More or less I have an idea (of how much money will be available). Clearly we have to work hard and maybe we will need to sell someone. “We’d have to sell players to increase the money we’ll need, I think so.” http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverp...92534-23487331/

From the Mirror.............. Sami Hyypia to reject Liverpool coaching staff offer By Simon Mullock 26/04/2009 Sami Hyypia is set to reject the chance to join Liverpool's coaching staff so that he can prolong his playing career. The Finland defender has been in talks about a new oneyear contract that would also include the option of joining Rafa Benitez's back-room team. But Hyypia feels he can continue playing as he nears his 36th birthday and is ready to quit Anfield after 10 years because he feels his playing opportunities under Benitez will become limited. Hyypia, who joined from Dutch club Willem II for£ 2. 5m in May 1999, feels he still has plenty to offer at the top level. Benitez managed to persuade him to reject January moves to Newcastle, Fulham and Stoke. Fulham boss Roy Hodgson will offer Hyypia a move to Craven Cottage again in the summer when his deal expires. http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/200...15875-21310140/

I think he'd suffer from rdk syndrome - doesn't have the mentality to succeed at a bigger club

Here's the NOTW article.............. DANIEL AGGER SNUBS DEAL Dane rules out £10m four-year Liverpool offer By CHRIS BASCOMBE, 25/04/2009 DANIEL AGGER has snubbed a new four-year Liverpool deal worth £10million. The Dane is understood to be want better terms but it's unclear if Liverpool will improve their offer while the club's American owners try to sort out their financial situation. That may push Agger, 24, towards a summer exit with Juventus and AC Milan leading the chase. Benitez was also eager to tie down full-back Alvaro Arbeloa but he's under orders to wait. Owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett are in talks with the Royal Bank of Scotland over how to manage their £350m debt. The Americans met bankers this week and were given the blunt options facing them ahead of July's repayment deadline. They must either pay off a large chunk of the debt, or pledge more equity into the club to agree a further refinancing deal. http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/sport/2789...pool-offer.html

From the Mirror............... Martin O'Neill has "no issue" over Gareth Barry move at the end of the season By James Nursey 24/04/2009 Martin O'neill insists he will not let Gareth Barry's future become a major saga again this summer as Liverpool prepare a new bid. The Aston Villa manager fell out with Barry and Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez last year over the Reds' pursuit of the England midfielder. But O'Neill has publicly pledged not to stand in the player's way this summer as Barry has just a year left on his contract. The boss said: "I have discussed it numerous times with the player and he is very happy to wait until the end of the season to see how things develop. "This is a situation I realised would come around and that's the way it is. I really have not got an issue with any of this come the end of the season." http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/200...15875-21303351/

From the Guardian............ Hillsborough families will call for 'truth commission' at meeting with minister President of support group says no document should be withheld and experts should examine disaster at which 96 fans died David Conn Friday 24 April 2009 Families whose relatives died in the 1989 Hillsborough disaster will call for a "truth commission" to address their lingering grievances when they meet the junior justice minister, Maria Eagle, at a meeting in Liverpool tomorrow. Trevor Hicks, president of the Hillsborough Family Support Group, welcomed as "a breakthrough moment" the commitments made by government ministers, now including Gordon Brown, to make public all official documents relating to the disaster at Liverpool's FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest and its aftermath. The group will, however, tell Eagle that they want to be certain no documents will be withheld, and to be given access themselves before the files are made more widely public. Hicks said they would call for the appointment of a panel of trusted experts to examine the material for the families and publish the "full story" of what it reveals. "Public opinion has finally swung behind the families after 20 years, following last week's anniversary and the excellent coverage of it," said Hicks, whose daughters, Vicky, 15, and Sarah, 19, died at Hillsborough. "People are now understanding what really happened and how appallingly families were treated afterwards. "This is not about going over old ground – the Taylor report was very clear in many areas, particularly that the police were to blame for the disaster itself. It is about establishing the truth where there are unanswered questions. It is not a witchhunt, but we do not rule anything out ‑ asking for new inquests, or further legal procedures, if the documents make clear the need for that." One of the families' major concerns is to discover the full extent of the operation by South Yorkshire police to evade responsibility for the disaster and try to blame it on misbehaviour by Liverpool supporters. In his official report, Lord Justice Taylor criticised the police for that "unrealistic approach", but at the 1990 inquest, the police again emphasised stories of drunken and ticketless fans. It emerged later that senior South Yorkshire police officers vetted junior officers' statements, and many were changed to remove criticisms of the police operation, and highlight fans' misconduct. Eagle has consistently described that as a conspiracy by the police to "cover up". The other main area the families want to see fully examined is the response of the police and emergency services to the unfolding disaster. At the inquest, the coroner, Dr Stefan Popper, limited evidence to events only up to 3.15pm that day, ruling that all the victims were dead or had irreversible injuries by then. The families bitterly resent that, because it meant the emergency response was never fully investigated, nor what happened individually to their loved ones. Several ambulance staff have since criticised the operation as "chaotic", and argued that people might have been saved had it been better organised. Meredydd Hughes, the current chief constable of South Yorkshire, characterised the police operation as one of "confusion, a lack of leadership at critical times". After the Guardian highlighted these unanswered questions last week, Eagle and the culture secretary, Andy Burnham, called for "full disclosure" of relevant documents held by all public bodies. Hughes had already said he had "triggered a review" of Hillsborough documentation and would make available all material not covered by legal privilege. He believed then that 10 boxes of documents, deposited in a parliamentary library, contained South Yorkshire police's full archive. He has now discovered that there are a further 300 boxes of material. The families argue that South Yorkshire police should not control the process of disclosure, or be allowed to withhold documents by claiming legal privilege. At the weekend, the home secretary, Jacqui Smith, said she was committed to releasing all documents relating to Hillsborough. On Wednesday in the House of Commons Gordon Brown gave his support. "We will look at how we can release whatever information is available to the families," he said. Brown was replying to a question from the Labour MP for Halton, Derek Twigg, who called for the release of all files, arguing: "The way [the disaster] was handled originally was a disgrace. The police tried to cover it up and present it as being caused by Liverpool fans. There was also the disgraceful 3.15 cut-off point." While South Yorkshire police's internal documents will shine most light on the amending of police statements, which Hughes insists did not amount to a cover-up, events after 3.15pm will also be documented in files held by Yorkshire ambulance service and NHS trusts governing Sheffield hospitals. An ambulance spokesman said the trust had not yet received an official government request for documents, but it is understood that the trust will comply if such a request is made. West Midlands police, which carried out the investigation into Hillsborough and examined the possibility of bringing criminal charges on behalf of the director of public prosecutions, are also searching their archives. No charges were brought against anyone in connection with the disaster, which bewildered the families, who are keen now to see the reasoning behind that decision. The families want disclosure of documents held by other public bodies, too, including the government itself. They are keen to know what was said at the meeting between the then prime minister, Margaret Thatcher, and the chief constable of South Yorkshire police, Peter Wright, the day after the disaster. Thatcher's press secretary, Bernard Ingham, said of that day: "I know what I learned on the spot," and he blamed the disaster on a "tanked-up mob" of fans. Governments, however, need permission to release early the files of previous administrations. It is understood the government will discuss how to do that, as part of the deliberations currently ongoing, about how best to facilitate the Hillsborough disclosure process. After her meeting tomorrow, Eagle will report the families' views back to the government. "We want this to begin as soon as possible," Hicks said. "But we know there will be a great deal of material and we do not want to rush the scrutiny of it. We want, in effect, a truth commission to publish our own report into what went on. "I believe it takes on average 26 years to put right miscarriages of justice," he reflected. "We hope to beat that, in the end." http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/ap...ruth-commission

From today's Echo....... Former Reds chief scout Frank McParland is set to be named as Liverpool’s new academy director. At the start of March McParland was tasked with conducting a review into the under-performing academy and his findings and recommendations have now been passed on to Benitez and club owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett. Benitez is looking to make urgent improvements to Liverpool’s youth set up and his first major move will be to give McParland a newly created position which will involve overseeing all coaching and recruitment at the academy. Benitez has spoken on several occasions of the need for the academy to produce more players of first team quality and McParland’s appointment as director will be the first of a series of changes the Reds boss is hoping to implement soon. http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-f...252-23463791/2/

From the official site............ PM PROMISES HILLSBOROUGH HELP James Carroll 22 April 2009 Prime Minister Gordon Brown today confirmed the government are ready to explore means of disclosing official documents relating to the Hillsborough disaster. South Yorkshire Police said earlier this week they would be prepared to release around 300 boxes of material regarding the tragedy if able to do so. Now the Prime Minister has pledged to do his best to help the families affected by the disaster. Asked during Prime Minister's Question Time whether official documents - not just police files, but also health and government records - would be released, Mr Brown replied: "96 people lost their lives on that day and the inquiry found that action had to be taken so that something like this would never happen again. "I can well understand that, even after all these years, the feelings of the families are such that they want to be sure that everything possible was done, and so yes, we will look at how we can release whatever information is available to the families. "I have to say that the Taylor Report was a very full inquiry, and there was then a further report after 1997 to at what may be necessary to do in addition. "But if this is a means by which we can help the families in difficult times, even after these years, we will look very carefully at what we can do." http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N...090422-1303.htm

From the official site............ PM PROMISES HILLSBOROUGH HELP James Carroll 22 April 2009 Prime Minister Gordon Brown today confirmed the government are ready to explore means of disclosing official documents relating to the Hillsborough disaster. South Yorkshire Police said earlier this week they would be prepared to release around 300 boxes of material regarding the tragedy if able to do so. Now the Prime Minister has pledged to do his best to help the families affected by the disaster. Asked during Prime Minister's Question Time whether official documents - not just police files, but also health and government records - would be released, Mr Brown replied: "96 people lost their lives on that day and the inquiry found that action had to be taken so that something like this would never happen again. "I can well understand that, even after all these years, the feelings of the families are such that they want to be sure that everything possible was done, and so yes, we will look at how we can release whatever information is available to the families. "I have to say that the Taylor Report was a very full inquiry, and there was then a further report after 1997 to at what may be necessary to do in addition. "But if this is a means by which we can help the families in difficult times, even after these years, we will look very carefully at what we can do." http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N...090422-1303.htm

Latest from Oliver Kay............. The Times April 23, 2009 Owners in united states of mind to keep Liverpool Oliver Kay Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr, Liverpool’s American owners, have pledged to work together to battle through the financial crisis that has raised serious doubts about the ability of either of them to raise the funds to retain control of the club. Hicks and Gillett are under growing pressure to refinance the club’s £350 million loans with Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) and Wachovia, the American bank, before they are due to be repaid on July 25. In a rare show of unity, the Americans entertained representatives of RBS at Liverpool’s 4-4 draw against Arsenal at Anfield on Tuesday evening and attempted to persuade their guests that their differences are behind them as they look to sustain their troubled regime beyond July. A refinancing agreement would give Hicks and Gillett some stability, at least in the short term, but both are under growing financial pressure. Gillett is looking for an external investor to buy into his sporting empire, which includes the Montreal Canadiens ice hockey franchise as well as his 50 per cent stake in Liverpool, while Hicks, who has been more bullish about his financial position, was forced to admit recently that his Hicks Sports Group had defaulted on monthly interest payments on three loans as he, too, battles with the consequences of the economic crisis. A change of ownership still appears the most likely scenario in the medium term. Although Hicks continues to make overtures to the al-Kharafi family, either to be minority investors or to buy the club in case he and Gillett fail to raise the capital needed to refinance, doubts remain about how genuine the Kuwaitis’ interest is. A renewed bid from Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai, remains a possibility, though not at this stage. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/foo...icle6150124.ece

Sounds like Tevez could well be available if we want/can afford him Tevez eyes summer exit from United Argentine says departure would be best solution after falling out of favour By Ian Herbert Thursday, 23 April 2009 Carlos Tevez has declared that an "exit" from Old Trafford would be the "best solution" for him at the end of the season and that he is now weighing up which club to move on to. The Argentine is resigned to leaving Manchester United because he has concluded there are simply too many players above him in the pecking order to give him regular first-team football. "You score three or four goals and then in the next match you don't play," he told the Radio del Plata radio station in his own country. "There are a lot of good players here but I need to play [and] I need a regular place in the team to offer my best levels. If that can't happen it will be my last year. I train every day and I've never said anything against any of my team-mates. But the truth is that there are other options for next season. There are a lot of players [at United] and they all need to play. I've not lost my place through playing [badly]." Sir Alex Ferguson's decision to keep Tevez on the bench for the 3-0 win against Chelsea in January – about the same time that Tevez made his frustrations about the lack of a permanent deal clear through the same radio station – seems to have rankled most. "In the important games I haven't played," said Tevez. "The big match with Chelsea I didn't play in. These are the matches I want to play." Tevez, an unused substitute for the Chelsea game, did play in the weakened United side which went out of the FA Cup in Sunday's semi-final against Everton, but he has been limited to 16 league games since Dimitar Berbatov arrived and became the first-choice striker on Ferguson's team list. The struggle for a place – Tevez was again left out for last night's Premier League game against Portsmouth – has taken its toll and his contribution has been a shadow of what it was last season. Tevez is already weighing up where he will be next season. Real Madrid and Internazionale are interested but a move to an English side may well appeal to a player who has settled well in this country. Manchester City would covet the chance to move in for him and Chelsea have some interest. "I have had a lot of offers, not only from Spain," Tevez said. "I have to see what clubs I can go to. It's not only a question of money. I also have to see that my family feels comfortable. I especially have to consider my daughter." The 25-year-old is still awaiting United's decision on whether to pay an additional £22m to buy his registration from the investment companies led by Kia Joorabchian which own his "economic rights". "For the respect of the shirt and because of the love the supporters have given me I don't want to leave in a bad way," Tevez added. Tevez's representatives insisted yesterday that it was a case of waiting to see what the summer brought from United, but Tevez's words were clear and it is doubtful whether a second outpouring to the same radio station in the space of four months could represent anything but a declaration of intent. http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/footbal...ed-1672531.html

There was a story in the Mirror a month ago or so Bizarrely my wife has recently started dealing with someone very closely connected to Arshavin's agent through her totally non-football related work & I asked her to check whether we were in for Arshavin The answer was a categorical no, apparently we never made any inquiry