GWistooshort

It's funny that their dislike of Rafa seems to be caused about 50% by his wish to sign Keane & about 50% by having a goatee judging by the comments.

Rafa has commented further on David Villa today at the press conference to unveil Degen & Dossena. From the official site........... "Benitez is now looking to bring in further additions; although he has ruled out a potential move for Valencia striker David Villa - at the moment. "I said the other day that he is one of the names we had on our list, but I can say at this moment that it is not an option for us," he said. "We know Villa is a very good player, we know the price and we know the players we have, so when you consider everything we decided he was one of the names, but at this moment, not our target. "Keane is one of the other names and okay we are still working with other names. We were in contact and we will see now." http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N...080710-1342.htm

Some more transfer news/speculation from today's papers etc................ Peter Crouch is expected to complete his move to Portsmouth tomorrow as his new club have called a press conference for 1pm tomorrow following his medical in the morning. http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11669_3801779,00.html The Liverpool Echo says that Gareth Barry’s arrival at Anfield "looks increasingly imminent". http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-f...00252-21317826/ & our two new full backs have been officially presented today

Transfer news/speculation from this morning's papers.............. Gareth Barry is "set to finally secure" his £18m move from Aston Villa to Liverpool "in the next few days" after the two clubs re-opened negotiations yesterday. Neither of the issues still to be resolved - Steve Finnan's valuation & the timing of the payments - "are insurmountable". Villa boss Martin O'Neill is keen to resolve the matter "as quickly as possible" & wants to draw a line under it - he is also "more relaxed about the situation" now that Villa have signed Steve Sidwell to replace Barry. Liverpool also "feel they are in a position to push ahead" with the deal, having sold Peter Crouch. Charles Itandje is "on the verge of being sold to Galatasaray for around £2m". Although Valencia "are willing to sell" Liverpool target David Villa, he "appears to want to remain in Spain". http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/footbal...eal-863767.html Negotiations for Barry "remain deadlocked" over the valuation of Finnan & may not be resolved this week. With Crouch's sale Liverpool "could easily bow to all of Villa's demands", but they "insist" that Villa must meet their valuation of Finnan. However, Rafa "remains optimistic" that Barry will sign, but "the delay in his arrival is a cause of frustration". Diego Cavalieri should complete his move from Palmeiras "within days". http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtm...0/sfnast110.xml Villa are "awaiting a response from Liverpool" to their letter valuing Barry at £18m or £17m, payable over the course of 12 months, plus Finnan. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/ju...a.premierleague Barry "could be on his way to Liverpool within days". http://www.birminghampost.net/midlands-bir...65233-21315507/ Liverpool "are seeking a swift conclusion to the Gareth Barry transfer saga, although Xabi Alonso’s future is in limbo with Juventus considering their interest in the Spanish international". Rafa is also tracking Robbie Keane & David Silva. http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverp...64375-21315668/ Crouch "will complete the transfer today" to former club Portsmouth. http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/200...89520-20638012/ Crouch is "expected" to complete his move to Portsmouth "by the weekend". Rafa "is expecting to complete the signing of Diego Cavalieri" after he successfully passed a medical this week. Scott Carson has "been told he can leave" & Galatasaray are "still hopeful" of signing Itandje. http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverp...64375-21315669/ Croatian striker Ivica Olic, in whom Liverpool are "understood to be interested", says he is staying with current club Hamburg. http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11669_3799347,00.html Aston Villa have tabled a £10m offer for reported Liverpool target David Bentley. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/...es-resolve.html Former Aston Villa keeper Thomas Sorensen has revealed that his agent is in talks with Galatasaray, who are reportedly also interested in Charles Itandje. http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12003_3799462,00.html Adam Hammill has been "assured" that his "future is at Liverpool", but he is set for another season-long loan in order to continue getting regular 1st-team football, with Aberdeen, Blackpool, Burnley, Plymouth, Sheffield Utd & Swansea all believed to be interested. http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11669_3797771,00.html

Transcript on the official site has the same quotes about Villa Rafa also says "We are close to finishing some deals and we'll see if we can progress with big names and also players who will improve in the future". http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N...080709-1124.htm

Interview with Rafa on LFC TV at 6pm tonight or available on demand from the official site for e-season ticket holders from 6.10pm http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N...080709-1124.htm It's unclear whether his recent comments about Villa were taken from it. It will also be interesting to see if he says anything more about Villa.

More transfer news/speculation............ Portsmouth have confirmed this morning that Peter Crouch has agreed personal terms & is due for his medical in the next 48 hours before completing the deal, which the club says is for an undisclosed fee. http://www.portsmouthfc.co.uk/index.php?cm...article_id=1331 Liverpool are today expected to complete the £3m signing of Diego Cavalieri, with sources in Brazil confirming he completed his medical yesterday & has also acquired a work permit. His agent said "We will conclude everything soon. He has already had the necessary medical examinations, talked with some of his new team-mates and has been impressed by what Rafael Benitez had to say to him." Palmeiras said "he has completed the examinations and is very happy. There are some clauses still being discussed but nothing that can block the deal." Liverpool "are expecting" to sell Charles Itandje to Galatasaray for £2m. Rafa is "now believed to be no longer interested" in loaning out Scott Carson again as he "needs the money from a sale to help finance his other transfer activity". Rafa’s "main priority" before the squad head to their Swiss training camp on Sunday "is to tie up the deal to bring Gareth Barry to Anfield". "The two sides now appear close enough for the saga to be concluded by the weekend". http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverp...64375-21310847/

Some more transfer news/speculation from today's papers........... Crouch has passed his medical at Portsmouth & is set to finalise his £11m move today. http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/Crouch-p...ical.4268829.jp Aston Villa's asking price for Gareth Barry remains £18m or £17m plus Steve Finnan, whom Liverpool value at £2m. Villa are also "insistent" that Liverpool follow traditional Premier League practice of ½ the fee immediately & ½ in 12 months’ time. Stoke are "reportedly ready to raid Liverpool as they seek to bolster their squad" & have been monitoring Scott Carson, although Nabil El Zhar "is a more attainable target". http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverp...64375-21308194/ Liverpool "will not be impressed by Villa's latest demands" & there is "no way" they will agree to them. Liverpool "are preparing to dig in and see whether O'Neill will keep his nerve as the transfer deadline approaches". "Liverpool will be prepared to offer £14m plus Finnan, but will not go beyond that, and will want the payment terms to be much easier." Rick Parry had "informal talks with Juventus officials over the proposed transfer of Xabi Alonso" in Geneva yesterday. http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/200...89520-20637021/

The same quotes are now on the official site as well http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N...080709-0808.htm

If you haven't seen the quotes from the BBC story (link) mentioned earlier in the thread, they are.... "We have Torres, Voronin, Kuyt, Babel and Steven Gerrard, who can play as a second striker," Benitez said. "But we will try to bring in another option. Villa we know all about. He is on our list. But maybe it will be difficult." I haven't seen the interview, so don't know if Rafa said anything more than that

Transfer news/speculation from this morning's papers................. Peter Crouch was "putting the finishing touches" to his £11m move to Portsmouth last night, following a medical yesterday. Crouch's sale "should bring Liverpool closer to a resolution" over Gareth Barry, but their pursuit of Robbie Keane "looks more problematic". Scott Carson, Charles Itandje & Xabi Alonso are all "expected to leave", Alonso still "probably for Juventus". http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/foo...icle4289470.ece Crouch has completed a medical & is "expected" to finalise his £11m move on Wednesday. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/t...ool/7471969.stm Rafa says Liverpool will try to sign another striker & confirmed that David Villa "is on our list", but that "maybe it will be difficult". http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/t...ool/7496686.stm Villa is "likely" to stay at Valencia, who are preparing to double his £1.4m-a-year wage. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtm...8/sfnrob108.xml Aston Villa are "ready to accept" Liverpool’s £15m offer for Gareth Barry now that Steve Finnan has been offered in a part-exchange deal. The sale of Crouch means Villa "can expect to receive half the fee for Barry up front, with half to follow in 12 months, while O’Neill will be delighted to acquire Finnan after being without a recognised right back last season. Liverpool will also pay add-ons if Barry wins the Champions League with them". http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/foo...icle4290527.ece Villa have turned down an offer from Liverpool of £17m plus Finnan for Barry, believing that the sale of Crouch "will finally allow Liverpool to meet their £18m valuation of Barry". http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtm...nsidwell108.xml Villa have demanded £17m plus Finnan for Barry & want to be paid in 2 instalments over 2 years. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/g...ers/7496805.stm Liverpool have held "informal talks" with Blackburn about David Bentley & have tried to include Jermaine Pennant in discussions, but they value Bentley at about £12m while Blackburn's asking price is £17m. Villa, Everton & Spurs are also all interested in Bentley, with "leading Blackburn insiders expecting a £17m offer this week". http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/200...89520-20635811/ Andrei Arshavin's agent has said that Liverpool is one of 4 clubs that Arshavin would play for in the Premier League (the others are Arsenal, Chelsea & Man Utd) & that "it's most likely he will be heading for England" with Arshavin's current team Zenit St Petersburg "negotiating with several clubs". Zenit have already rejected a reported £12m offer from Barcelona for Arshavin & have said "if they double it, we would consider selling". http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/...kers-agent.html Portsmouth are trying to sign former Liverpool target Pablo Aimar for £6m. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/g...ers/7496805.stm

Porto have said that they haven't received any "official" offers for Ricardo Quaresma as yet. http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11854_3794125,00.html Peter Crouch will sign for Portsmouth "in the next 48 hours" having already undergone a medical. http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/Defoe-an...-the.4264635.jp

Southampton got £7m plus a sell on clause for Crouch from us!!!! Bloody hell.

From this morning's Daily Post............ Benitez to step up transfer activity Jul 8 2008 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post RAFAEL BENITEZ is ready to step up his summer recruitment drive after Peter Crouch moved to the brink of a move to Portsmouth. Crouch held talks with the Fratton Park outfit yesterday and underwent a medical after Liverpool accepted an offer for him. The proposed deal will see Portsmouth make an initial payment of around £8.75million, a figure that could rise to almost £11m with add-ons and incentives over the course of Crouch’s contract. “We have reached a verbal agreement with Portsmouth and have given them permission to speak with Peter,” confirmed a Liverpool spokesman yesterday. While short of Benitez’s £15m public valuation, Portsmouth’s bid would represent a profit on the £7m Liverpool spent to sign the striker from Southampton in 2005. Crouch, who has less than a year remaining on his present Anfield deal, has rebuffed Liverpool’s offer of a new contract and is keen to leave Anfield in pursuit of regularfirst-team football. Aston Villa, Newcastle United, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur have all been linked with Crouch, but the player has always preferred a move back to the South Coast and a chance to link up again with Harry Redknapp, his manager at Portsmouth during his previous stay at the club in 2001-02. Crouch’s departure will signal the start of an intensive period of transfer activity at Anfield. Benitez is hopeful the Gareth Barry saga can be concluded shortly, with Aston Villa having intimated they would take Steve Finnan in part-exchange. However, the Midlanders are still holding out for an overall deal of £18m, above Liverpool’s valuation of the player. Robbie Keane is Benitez’s first-choice replacement for Crouch, but the manager is aware of the difficulties in prising the striker away from Tottenham Hotspur. Benitez will also intensify his search for a winger. Valencia’s David Silva and Espanyol’s Albert Riera are the prime targets, although both Spanish clubs would have to lower their demands if any deal is to become a reality. Brazilian goalkeeper Diego Cavalieri has arrived on Merseyside with Liverpool keen to finalise a £3m deal for the 26-year-old Atletico Mineiro man, who will become Pepe Reina’s understudy with Galatasaray still interested in Charles Itandje, despite the Frenchman’s excessive contract demands. Meanwhile, Liverpool have confirmed the signing of 17-year-old Denmark youth international striker Nikola Saric on a three-year deal. http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverp...64375-21301124/

Transfer news/speculation from this morning's papers................ Gareth Barry's move to Liverpool has taken "a significant step forward" with the agreement to sell Peter Crouch to Portsmouth & Barry's £18m exit to Liverpool is "imminent". Before the Crouch deal Liverpool had been "scratching around for cash to finance the move" & Villa had thrown out a payment plan spanning three years. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/...er-Sidwell.html Barry's move to Liverpool "edges closer to completion" with Liverpool "likely to sign Barry before the weekend". Liverpool have refused to meet Villa's £18m valuation of Barry but Crouch's move to Portsmouth is "expected to free up the funds that will push a deal through". Steve Finnan "may be" used as a makeweight although it is "understood" that it was Liverpool that suggested that Finnan be included in the deal. Villa have also been unhappy with how Liverpool planned to structure the payments for Barry, an issue that "should be resolved in further talks this week". http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/ju...ague.astonvilla Crouch's move to Portsmouth "will be done today" with Portsmouth paying £11m in 2 instalments of £8m & £3m. Crouch is thought to have been offered wages of about £70,000 a week. Steve Finnan is a "likely" makeweight in the Barry deal, although Liverpool will not exceed their £15m valuation of Barry & therefore will not offer more than £13.5m plus the £1.5m-rated Finnan. Liverpool will sanction a £1m season-long loan deal with Stoke for Scott Carson once they complete the signing of Palmeiras keeper Diego Cavalieri, although they would prefer to sell him permanently. Liverpool also remain "hopeful" that Charles Itandje will complete his transfer to Galatasaray. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/...Ronaldinho.html Itandje is heading for Turkey today to finally tie up a deal with Galatasaray after sorting out his pay-off from Liverpool yesterday. Galatasaray hope to finalise the deal today. Stoke are "determined" to sign Carson, while Middlesbrough are also interested. Liverpool have "expressed an interest in" Real Mallorca midfielder Borja Valero. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/...alatasaray.html Fulham goalkeeper Antti Niemi has told the club he will resist the lure of Liverpool to fight for his place at Craven Cottage. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/...o-1-jersey.html Spurs "are confident" they will sign reported Liverpool target David Bentley "this week". They "face little competition" for because Bentley has let it be known he wants to return to London. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/...ntley-week.html Spurs have offered Blackburn Rovers money & an assortment of players, including Darren Bent, Paul Robinson &/or Anthony Gardner for Bentley. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/ju...tspur.blackburn Blackburn are willing to sell Bentley but have told Liverpool, Spurs & Villa that their asking price is £17m. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/g...ers/7494673.stm Reported Liverpool target Rafael van der Vaart has ruled out a move to Spurs saying "Tottenham are not a club I want to swap Hamburg for". He continued "The chance that I will stay at HSV is really big. As long as no team comes by which makes me immediately excited, I see no reason to leave. And so far none of those clubs have called us." http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_3790591,00.html

Official site has confirmed that Crouch has been given permission to talk to Portsmouth http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N...080707-1240.htm

From today's Liverpool Echo.......... Peter Crouch set for medical as Portsmouth move nears Jul 7 2008 by Tony Barrett, Liverpool Echo PETER CROUCH'S Liverpool career was today drawing to a close after he was given permission to undergo a medical with Portsmouth. Liverpool have accepted an offer from the South Coast club which matched their valuation of the player, who has entered the final year of his contract. Portsmouth will pay £8m up front if the deal goes through as expected, and that figure could rise to £11m over the course of Crouch’s contract at Portsmouth with lucrative add-ons having been included in the proposed deal. Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United were all interested in signing the 27-year-old, but none of them could match the terms being offered to Crouch by Pompey boss Harry Redknapp. Having seen his first team chances become increasingly restricted at Anfield during last season Crouch is keen to quit Anfield and move somewhere where he is guaranteed regular football. Portsmouth have given him that opportunity and once the formalities of the medical are complete the England man will become their record signing. Reds boss Rafa Benitez is hopeful that the departure of Crouch will signal the start of serious business being done in the transfer market as he looks to bring the long running saga over Gareth Barry’s future to a swift conclusion. Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neill remains steadfast that he will not accept anything but £18m for Barry, a valuation which Liverpool are not willing to meet. O’Neill has signalled that he would accept Steve Finnan in part exchange but Liverpool will only allow this to happen if the total package for Barry is in keeping with their own valuation. Meanwhile, Brazilian goalkeeper Diego Cavalieri has arrived on Merseyside as Benitez edges closer to tieing up a deal which will see the 25-year-old become Pepe Reina’s understudy. Cavalieri was given permission to miss Palmeiras’ league match against Atletico Mineiro at the weekend after Liverpool agreed a £3m transfer fee with his club. The 25-year-old keeper’s imminent arrival will push Charles Itandje closer to the Anfield exit door, although a proposed £2m move to Galatasaray is not clear cut after the Turkish club refused to meet his contract demands. Liverpool remain hopeful that a deal will be concluded however as they bid to recoup a sizeable chunk of the Cavalieri fee. http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-f...00252-21274225/

I like the fact that, having been the one who sold Crouch to us for £7m when most people felt we'd over-paid, it's Redknapp who's the one buying him back for £11m despite the fact he's only got 1 year left on his contract. Nice

I've heard he's back on 1st Sep & he's 110% confident we will be able to complete all our transfers then

Transfer news/speculation from this morning's papers.......... Portsmouth yesterday agreed a deal worth £11m for Peter Crouch, who will sign officially for Portsmouth in midweek, with most of the fee upfront. Both Spurs & Newcastle offered similar amounts for Crouch. http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/footbal...uth-861306.html Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp has indicated that the deal for Crouch, reported to be for £10m, is done saying "Crouch did a very good job for me when I had him before and I am sure he will do the same now". http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/200...89520-20634785/ Crouch is "set to finally clinch" his move to Portsmouth "this week" after they are believed to have agreed a fee close to £11m with Liverpool on Friday. http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/We39ll-s...ouch.4261544.jp Liverpool may include Steve Finnan, valued at around £2m, as part of the deal for Gareth Barry in order to meet Aston Villa's asking price as Martin O'Neill is an admirer. Liverpool are "close" to signing Palmeiras goalkeeper Diego Cavalieri. Liverpool's valuation of £10m for Scott Carson has "dissuaded prospective bids" from Middlesbrough & West Brom. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtm...7/sfnliv107.xml Liverpool are "believed to have cooled their interest" in James Milner & are "now exploring other options", with Villa the favourites to sign him. Barry's departure to Liverpool is "all but confirmed". http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/ju...newcastleunited Juventus & Liverpool have not yet been able to agree a fee for Xabi Alonso, whom Liverpool value at £16m. In a move which could be an attempt to "step up the pressure on Liverpool", Juve have said they have 2 other transfer options in mind instead of Alonso. Liverpool & Aston Villa remain "some way apart" in their valuations of Gareth Barry, with Villa refusing to budge from their £20m valuation while Liverpool’s last offer was £15m. http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverp...64375-21272771/ Villa are "by no means out of the hunt" for reported Liverpool target David Bentley despite claims he wants to go to Spurs. http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-s...97319-21273588/

Transfer news/speculation from today's papers............ Stoke are targeting Scott Carson. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/g...ers/7491870.stm Juventus manager Claudio Ranieri has publicly praised midfielder Dejan Stankovic, one of Juve's potential alternatives to Xabi Alonso. Juve & inter Milan were reportedly "in advanced talks" over Stankovic until criticism from Juve's supporters forced the club to pull back from any deal. http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11854_3780882,00.html Spurs' assistant manager Gus Poyet says the club "can't afford" to lose Robbie Keane. http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11669_3784278,00.html Rafa Benitez believes Gareth Barry could be a Liverpool player "within a week" in a £15m compromise deal, which will include a series of add-ons, such as further England appearances, allowing Villa boss Martin O'Neill to claim he got the total of £18m he has held out for all along. "All that remains to be done is for [barry's] departure to Liverpool to be announced" & O'Neill "is understood to be anxious that the matter be resolved". Liverpool also expect to sign goalkeeper Diego Cavalieri from Palmeiras for £3m shortly. Peter Crouch's departure to Portsmouth "will be confirmed within 48 hours". http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/sport/footba...98487-20634151/ Liverpool are "confident" of signing Barry as they are willing to offer Steve Finnan as a makeweight in the deal & "Villa could be ready to do business". A "source close to Liverpool" said “There has been so much haggling in the past week and the mood has been very tense at times but both sides seem to be close to deal.” Finnan would be valued at around £1.5m-£2m in the deal. While he isn't anxious to leave Anfield, he would "relish to chance to revive his career at Villa Park" & "has been lifted by the news O’Neill rates him so highly". http://blogs.notw.co.uk/sport/2008/07/rafas-final-bar.html Liverpool look certain to sign Palmeiras goalkeeper Diego Cavalieri. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/foo...icle4276295.ece Spurs are preparing a £15m bid for reported Liverpool target David Bentley this week with the London factor likely to give them a vital advantage over rival bidders Aston Villa, who "seem likely to lose out" because of this. Man City are "unlikely to join the chase" because Bentley's former manager Mark Hughes knows the player prefers a move back to London. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/...gain-Spurs.html Liverpool have "expressed an interest [in Bentley] but are unwilling to go as high as Blackburn want". Everton will bid for Bentley this week if Mikel Arteta is returning to Spain. Spurs have had several swap offers for Bently rejected & don't want to go to the £15m-plus asking price. Villa will make an offer for Bentley once Gareth Barry's move to Liverpool is finalised. Everton have "a real chance" of getting Bentley, who lives on Merseyside, although his wage demands may be a bit steep. http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/tm_...-name_page.html Liverpool still want Albert Riera & may increase their bid. Sevilla have inquired about £7m-rated Alvaro Arbeloa. http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/tm_...-name_page.html

From today's Liverpool Echo.... Opening day evening kick off handed to Liverpool Jul 5 2008 by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo LIVERPOOL’S opening match of the 2007/08 season is set for a tea-time kick-off. Sky and Setanta have yet to formally announce their fixtures for the new campaign, but the Echo has learned that Setanta are set to select Liverpool’s clash at Sunderland for their first Saturday night screening. That match will kick-off at 5.15pm, with Everton’s home match against Portsmouth on August 30 getting the same treatment. Everton and Liverpool are both set to figure five times apiece on Sky before December 1, with the first derby match being switched to a 12.45pm kick-off on Saturday, September 27, Liverpool’s home clash with Manchester United also put back to a Saturday 12.45pm slot and the visit of United to Goodison Park provisionally pencilled in for a 2pm Sunday kick-off on October 26. Sky and Setanta are expected to confirm the dates next week. http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-f...00252-21266091/

From this morning's Liverpool Daily Post................ Peter Crouch is "expected to complete the switch back to [Portsmouth] in the next few days" for an initial fee of £8.75m rising to £11m depending on a number of incentives. The deal will provide Rafa with more funds to "press ahead with his own moves in the transfer market". Liverpool "hope" to be in a position to formally announce the signing of goalkeeper Diego Cavalieri from Palmeiras "next week". Negotiations are "on-going" with the player & his current club. He has recently obtaining an Italian passport, which means he won’t need a work permit. The signing of Cavalieri would "pave the way" for the departure of Scott Carson, who could raise up to £10m towards further transfer dealings. http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverp...64375-21266786/

Interesting insight into Rafa's approach....... The Times July 5, 2008 Fernando Torres: Rafael Benitez pushed me to greatness Russell Kempson Few foreign players have adapted better - or as quickly - to the unique demands of top-flight football in England than Fernando Torres. In his first season, after arriving at Liverpool 12 months ago, he scored 33 goals in all competitions. Yet as the prolific Spain striker ponders how he can improve next season, having set the bar so high, he is swift to pay tribute to the part that Rafael Benítez played in his rapid and spectacular progress. Without the intense guidance of the Liverpool manager, Torres maintains, he might not have made such an immediate impact. “There are days when you think: ‘My God, this guy [benítez] doesn't let you breathe',” Torres, a £20.2million buy from Atlético Madrid, said. “At times like that, you don't realise that all he wants is for you to improve. “When you are in a team where things are going mostly well, players tend to relax. But you must always push yourself. Never become complacent; you try to do your best every single day. At a club like Liverpool, you can't sit back after scoring 20-odd goals and say: 'Well, that's it.' After you score 20, Benítez is at you during the next training session and stays on top of you all day, all week. “He tells you to go off on your own and do new exercises. I want to progress in life, not relax, not be complacent, and you need someone close to you telling you to keep at it. It is impossible to do it otherwise. We don't always fancy someone that close but, in the long term, I am sure that everybody will thank him for it.” Torres, 24, carried his form into the international arena this summer, scoring two goals as Spain were crowned European champions. His second goal - a trademark effort embracing power and pace - was enough to see off Germany 1-0 in the final in Vienna. If Benítez's influence has been great, Torres has also reaped the benefit of playing alongside Steven Gerrard, the England midfield player. He has watched Gerrard closely - on and off the pitch - and used the Liverpool captain as an example of how to deal with life in the goldfish bowl that is Merseyside. “I really admire Steven,” Torres said in an interview in Champions, the official magazine of the Uefa Champions League, said. “I know the pressure he is under every day, everybody talking about him all day long. In the changing-room, in the pubs, in the stadium. I've heard people say he should be stronger, have a stronger personality. I know by experience how difficult it is to deal with that because Liverpool is a huge club. And he's at another level, of course. “People look at you from a distance and challenge you with their eyes. All that happens to Steve every day and he copes with it, everything that is expected of him all the time. He's always under tremendous pressure to perform and everyone looks to him to show leadership, to lift the team. “He's a great example, and those of us who have been in a similar situation know how difficult it is to handle. It's incredible the way he carries himself regardless of what is going on around him. I'd love to be captain of another team one day and Steve has shown me how to be a great leader.” During a career of many highs, Torres has had to endure his lows, too, particularly before his move to Anfield. He would turn to Olalla, his girlfriend, for sympathy and advice. “She has had to suffer much disappointed ranting and moaning, especially when I was at Atlético,” Torres said. “Now, she is also having a good time herself. “She knows how to calm me down when I haven't been able to see the way out of the tunnel or wake me up when I've been sleeping. She pushes me when I need to be encouraged. The person that lives with you is sometimes the only one capable of helping you up when you don't realise how down you are.” http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/foo...icle4272547.ece

Transfer news/speculation from today's papers............... It "appears that Liverpool are prepared to accept" Portsmouth's latest bid for Peter Crouch made yesterday, which "is understood to be in the region of £10m with £8m payable immediately". "The two sides were last night discussing the details of the deal with a view to an announcement next week." It "would not be inconceivable" that Spurs could bid for Crouch "when they realise that the deal with Portsmouth is close to completion", although they are "limited by the dragging out of the Dimitar Berbatov transfer saga". Aston Villa would have liked Crouch as part of the Gareth Barry deal but Rafa "has not sanctioned it". http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/footbal...uch-860545.html Portsmouth are close to agreeing a £10m deal for Crouch after he "indicated he would prefer a return to Fratton Park rather than join Spurs". Liverpool "had hoped to use Crouch as a makeweight in a £20m offer for Robbie Keane but may now use the money from his sale towards that bid". Man City, Newcastle & Spurs "have all registered interest in Crouch", but only Portsmouth lodged an official bid. Rafa "still hopes to sign" Gareth Barry & Keane, "but requires additional funds to make an offer [for Keane] having budgeted his allocated £20m on Barry & Andrea Dossena". http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/ju...pool.portsmouth Liverpool & Portsmouth "struck an agreement last night" over a £10m deal for Crouch which "will be confirmed when the Football Association offices open on Monday morning". Crouch "was in jubilant mood" after insisting he would only move to Portsmouth, despite Spurs recently offering £9m for him. Crouch had "made it clear he was prepared to run down the final year of his Liverpool contract rather than be forced into joining any other club". Liverpool will receive £8m up front for Crouch & "are [also] close to sorting out the fine detail of Gareth Barry's protracted move" & are "still exploring" ways of prising £20m rated Robbie Keane away from Spurs. "With Juventus expected to meet the £15m price tag on Xabi Alonso, they could soon have the funds needed to launch another bid for Keane." Yossi Benayoun has turned down a move to Ajax after Liverpool gave Ajax permission to speak to him & told Rafa he wants to stay & fight for his place, despite interest from Spurs & Portsmouth as well. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/...purs-hopes.html An offer of Crouch plus around £10m for Keane "would be given consideration" by Spurs because they "need to generate funds after spending £30m" so far this summer, although they "are reluctant to sell". Last week Spurs rejected a player-plus-cash deal involving Crouch for Keane, who has informed Spurs officials he wishes to join Liverpool. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/...purs-terms.html Palmeiras goalkeeper Diego Cavalieri, who needs to secure a work permit, has travelled to England for talks with Liverpool this weekend with a view to a possible £3m deal. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/t...ool/7491040.stm Cavalieri's agent Juninho Parmigiani said "Palmeiras' board released Diego to negotiate with Liverpool and we are going to fly in to finalise the last details. We still cannot say that everything is closed because there are some things between Liverpool and Palmeiras and other details in the contract. I believe everything is going to be resolved this weekend. If everything goes as it was agreed, he is going to sign the contract." http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11669_3777444,00.html Liverpool have made a £3m offer for Cavalieri, who has been linked with both Milan clubs, & "hope to secure his signature next week", having already "agreed personal terms". Liverpool's £10m valuation of Scott Carson is "frustrating his hopes of a move away from Anfield". A permanent move to Aston Villa fell through with the Midland's club deeming Carson "over-priced, while interest from Middlesbrough and West Bromwich Albion [has] also cooled over Liverpool's demands". Another season-long loan is a possibility but, with the player wanting stability & Liverpool seeking to raise transfer funds, "neither party is keen on the idea". http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/ju...l.premierleague