GWistooshort

More transfer news/speculation from this morning's papers......... A deal for Gareth Barry to join Liverpool "is expected to be agreed in the next 48 hours". Rafa "is keen for a swift resolution" & will pay £15m for Barry with top-ups will taking the eventual fee "very close to Villa's asking price". Rafa has also "renewed his interest in Espanyol winger Albert Riera". http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/200...89520-20630988/ Reported Liverpool target Sulley Muntari has pledged his future to Portsmouth. http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/Muntari-...y-at.4255402.jp

Transfer news/speculation from this morning's papers............... Gareth Barry's position at Villa is now "clearly untenable, with no prospect of him ever pulling on the club shirt again". If Liverpool feel Villa "will have to give way at some stage" & therefore that they don't need to meet Villa's £18m asking price it "could go to the last day of the transfer window", which "would not suit either club or the player and would cost Villa six weeks of wages for Barry that they could save by allowing the deal to go ahead". Liverpool "insist they are still talking to Villa and they have not made a final offer". http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/footbal...ool-859797.html Liverpool are "hopeful" that, with Barry fined & ostracised by O'Neill, "a compromise deal can be reached within days". Villa's double punishment "may represent a breach of Barry's contract", but Barry & his agent "are reluctant to appeal or involve the PFA in the hope that O'Neill will negotiate with Liverpool...Liverpool may attempt to end the impasse with an offer of £15m plus additional payments this weekend". However, O'Neill is "determined to hold out for his asking price". http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/ju...ague.astonvilla Liverpool's bid to sign Robbie Keane will have "no chance" of succeeding "until Dimitar Berbatov's future...is resolved". Although Liverpool are confident Keane wants to move to Anfield, Spurs are "determined" to keep him. They will "definitely" not let Keane go if Berbatov does leave. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/...a-resolved.html Liverpool are "considering" bidding for Palmeiras 26-year old Brazilian goalkeeper Diego Cavalieri, who has attracted interest from Fiorentina & Benfica. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/...er-hitlist.html

Some more transfer news/speculation from today's papers etc.......... Aston Villa have banned Gareth Barry "indefinitely from training and all club facilities". Liverpool "are unlikely to pay more than £15m" for Barry. Villa boss Martin O’Neill "knows he can’t afford to let his prize asset kick his heels at home while Villa are still paying him more than £40,000 a week, but is determined to prise as much money as he can out of Liverpool", but "with Rafa Benitez juggling his finances in order to fund other signings, he is equally determined that the Reds will not be held to ransom". http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-f...00252-21221362/ Barry could buy out his contract for £2.5m next summer under the Webster ruling. Former Villa player Dennis Mortimer has criticised the club's handling of the situation, saying “It is all very well to make it look like Gareth Barry has been causing all the problems but the club have to handle it in a better way...Gareth has not made any naughty remarks about the club, he has just said he wants to win medals – and I don’t blame him. I’d like to know why Gareth was told to stay away from training...I don’t get it. I don’t see what Martin O’Neill sees in it...Martin O’Neill has to accept that. He would have been quite prepared to take players from other clubs.” http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-s...97319-21222037/ Portsmouth "are believed to be ready to up their bid to land" Peter Crouch, who remains Portsmouth's "prime target". http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/Storrie-...come.4251138.jp According to Hamburg manager Martin Jol reported Liverpool target Rafael van der Vaart has told the club that he would like to stay at Hamburg, although Jol added "it could be that he would think about moving if a club like Real Madrid or Barcelona makes an offer". http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11669_3770337,00.html The Porto president has said that the club are 'very far' from an agreement to sell reported Liverpool target Ricardo Quaresma to Inter Milan. http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11854_3772440,00.html

Transfer news/speculation from this morning's papers............ Gareth Barry’s career at Aston Villa is "all but over" & "there seems no way back" & the relationship between Barry & Villa boss Martin O’Neill "irreparable", with "exchanges between the two...short and acrimonious" since Barry's interview at the weekend. Barry only heard that he had been banned from pre-season training & fined for an unauthorised interview yesterday from a journalist via his agent rather than Villa. Barry believes he has a gentlemen’s agreement with Villa that "he could leave the club if the chance of Champions League football came along", but "sources at Villa Park denied the existence of any such agreement". "It is thought that Villa attempted to persuade Barry to stay for a further 12 months with the proviso that, if the club failed to secure a top-four slot, he would be allowed to leave cheaply. However, once Liverpool’s interest became clear, Villa were unable to get the player to negotiate." Barry "is reluctant to put in an official transfer request because it would cost him significant loyalty payments". Liverpool were "surprised" that there was no response from Villa to their latest offer of £15m made on Monday until their public rejection yesterday. As well as the amount offered, Villa are "also believed to be unhappy with the proposed payment structure of the offer, which is over a longer time frame than the standard Premier League transfer". Liverpool are "adamant that the offer will not be increased — although there is a possibility of add-ons by way of performance — and are furious at suggestions that they have conducted the approach for Barry in an underhand manner. Sources at Anfield said that Rafa & other club officials "have discussed the matter with O’Neill on a number of occasions in an attempt to resolve the transfer without rancour". http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/foo...icle4258796.ece Barry's remarks in his weekend interview "has ruled out any possibility that the player will pull on a Villa shirt again". http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/ju...ague.astonvilla Barry was fined £84,000 by Villa. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/...m-Reds-bid.html Barry's transfer to Liverpool "is now as good as sealed - it's just a question of how much money O'Neill can squeeze out of Rafa Benitez". Liverpool "know O'Neill has handed the initiative to them" because "he cannot afford to let the club's prized asset rot in the reserves" & are "determined not to held to ransom". http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/200...89520-20629424/ Barry's position at Villa is "untenable", although his future is "mired in uncertainty" as it is still "unclear" whether Liverpool are able to match Villa's asking price. Barry has been fined 2 weeks' wages by Villa. His situation has become "so embittered" that Villa "could well" try to hold out so he unable to play in Liverpool's Champions League qualifier on 12 August. "The saga could certainly drag on until the last minute of the transfer window. Benitez also seems to be set for a second war of attrition with Tottenham over striker Robbie Keane". Portsmouth "are very keen to" sign Peter Crouch & a deal "is understood to remain a strong possibility". http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/footbal...ack-858953.html Portsmouth will make a final £10m bid for Crouch. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/g...ers/7486806.stm Portsmouth have said that most of their transfer business "will happen in the next few weeks". http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_3767971,00.html Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni last night said he "hopes" Robbie Keane joins Liverpool. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/...-Liverpool.html Robbie Keane's future at Spurs is "in some doubt". Spurs are confident of signing David Bentley for around £12m, particularly as he has "set his sights on a return to London". http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/ju...ottenhamhotspur Reported Liverpool target David Villa says he intends to stay at Valencia "for many years", despite Valencia "admitting they have had a number of offers for the forward" & team-mate David Silva, another reported Liverpool target, who also says he wants to stay at Valencia. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/foo...icle4254744.ece

From the Echo..... Liverpool target Gareth Barry disciplined by Aston Villa Jul 2 2008 David Prentice LIVERPOOL target Gareth Barry has been disciplined and ordered to stay away from training tomorrow by Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill. The decision is the latest escalation in an increasingly acrimonious tug of war for the England international's services. After Barry had told friends he had no regrets about criticising his manager in a Sunday newspaper article at the weekend, a showdown between the pair was anticipated when Villa report back for pre-season training tomorrow. But O'Neill has spiked the potential confrontation by ordering Barry to stay at home. A morning newspaper report today claimed that Liverpool had made a "take it or leave it " £17m bid, but O’Neill said: "There’s no truth in this morning’s reports and the situation remains the same. "Gareth will not be returning to training tomorrow and he has been disciplined after giving an unauthorised interview to the News of the World." Liverpool also emphatically denied the £17m bid story. The Reds are unlikely to pay more than £15m for the England international, leaving the player stuck in the middle of an increasingly bitter wrangle http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-f...00252-21216276/ & Emiliano Insua has signed a new 3 year contract http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N...080702-1332.htm

From Villa's official website.......... Barry Disciplined Martin O'Neill today dismissed reports that Liverpool have made a 'take it or leave it' £15million bid for Gareth Barry. And the Villa boss confirmed Barry has been disciplined by the club in the light of comments made to a national newspaper on Sunday. Barry will not be returning for pre-season training tomorrow and O'Neill told www.avfc.co.uk: "There's no truth in this morning's reports and the situation remains the same. "Gareth will not be returning to training tomorrow and he has been disciplined after giving an unauthorised interview to the News of the World." http://www.avfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsD...1337572,00.html Got to increase the chances of Barry handing in a transfer request you would have thought

Some more transfer news/speculation from today's papers............... Reported Liverpool targets David Villa & David Silva both said yesterday that they are "happy at Valencia" & with their current contracts. Valencia president Agustin Morera also said that "our desire is to keep both Villa and Silva. If we had wanted to we could have sold them because we have offers on the table. http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_3765479,00.html Portsmouth remain ahead of Spurs in the race to sign Peter Crouch because of the London club's refusal to sell Robbie Keane to Liverpool. http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/Portsmou...hase.4245059.jp Liverpool have officially confirmed that Anthony Le Tallec has signed for Le Mans although the transfer fee (if any) has not been disclosed. http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N...080702-0821.htm Reported Liverpool target Albert Riera said yesterday that "in a few days my agent will arrive in Barcelona with an offer from an important club". The Catalan press are suggesting that Liverpool could be set to resurrect their interest. http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11669_3765734,00.html New Blackburn boss Paul Ince has confirmed that he met with reported Liverpool target David Bentley last week & that he wants Bentley to stay at the club. http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport...g_with_Bentley/

If SSN have taken the story from the Liverpool Echo as Boca suggested then it's probably just a case of the club responding to the Echo ringing them up & asking

Sorry CarraLegend - I thought you were saying that McNulty had said we had made a bid of £15m + £2m - my mistake

Not so

Judging by O'Neill's response to Paddy Berger saying Barry should join LFC I imagine Delaney will be looking for a new job whether he wants to or not

Also from this morning's Mirror ......... Gareth Barry to confront Martin O'Neill tomorrow over Liverpool move Rebel skipper will tell his boss face to face: you've got to let me go Exclusive by David Anderson 2/07/2008 Gareth Barry is ready to face Martin O'Neill tomorrow to force through his move to Liverpool. Barry is due back at Aston Villa to start pre-season training and the England midfield star has told friends he is not scared to confront O'Neill. Barry, 27, informed O'Neill when they last met a month ago that he wanted to join Liverpool and is prepared to look the Villa manager in the eye and tell him he is still determined to go. He has no regrets about criticising O'Neill at the weekend when he claimed the Ulsterman had time to talk about Euro 2008 on the BBC, but didn't have the time to talk to him about his future. The Villa skipper stands by his attack, even though the club's fans are beginning to turn on him, and want O'Neill to grant him his wish to move to Anfield. O'Neill is refusing to budge from his £18million asking price, even though Liverpool's latest offer is worth £15m, plus a further £2m in add-ons. Former Villa stalwart Mark Delaney, who is now an academy coach at the club, has urged O'Neill to let Barry go, saying he would have done the same as a player. "Martin O'Neill knows Liverpool are a bigger club than Villa," said Delaney, who spent nine years playing alongside Barry before he was forced to retire through injury last summer. "It hurts me to say that as a Villa supporter through-and-through and the club mean a hell of a lot to me. "If Martin didn't say he would have done the same as a player, he would be lying. Anyone would. "The reason Martin has probably reacted like he has is that he knows Gareth will be hard to replace. It's unfortunate for Villa, but these things happen." Delaney claims Barry would be "crazy" not to go because he might not get another chance to play for a Big Four club. The Welshman cannot see Villa qualifying for the Champions League and says Liverpool represent Barry's best chance of winning trophies. "Gareth has been as loyal as any Villa player," he said. "The thing is, I can't see them breaking into the top four in his time. "They exceeded all expectations last season, but can they do it again? I don't know. "Gareth will be 28 in February. If he goes, he will win trophies. If he doesn't go, it will be crazy for his career. "He has to give it a go. If he can't go the opportunity may never arise again. Liverpool might not ask again. "He has to grasp this with both hands. The choice is Champions League and England with Liverpool or the InterToto with Villa. "(Villa owner) Randy Lerner could probably match what Liverpool can offer Gareth in terms of wages, but this is not about money. "He loves Aston Villa, as I do, but for his career, this is the right move." http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/200...89520-20628368/

From this morning's Mirror ......... Liverpool in for the long-haul on Robbie Keane chase By David Anderson 2/07/2008 Liverpool are ready to mount a summer-long pursuit of Tottenham skipper Robbie Keane. Spurs have tried to ward off Rafa Benitez's interest by valuing the Republic of Ireland striker at £20million. But Benitez is prepared to be patient after Keane told friends he would love to join his boyhood club. The Reds boss is willing to offer Peter Crouch as a makeweight in any deal plus £5million cash. Spurs manager Juande Ramos, like Benitez, is strapped for cash this summer, and Liverpool hope his interest in Crouch could clinch the deal. Anfield insiders claim their pursuit of Keane could turn into another saga like Gareth Barry, but Benitez will put up with more frustration if he ultimately lands his man. http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/200...89520-20628359/

Transfer news/speculation from this morning's papers............. Juventus are expected to match Liverpool's £16.5m asking price for Xabi Alonso "by the end of the week...after looking to have missed out on prime target Alberto Aquilani". "Senior Juve sources claim Alonso is now back in pole position", particularly after a concerted campaign by supporters in his favour who have made it clear they want Alonso to join, rather than Dejan Stankovic. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/...g-Aquilani.html Spurs have discredited reports that Robbie Keane has filed a transfer request & also made it clear that they will obstruct any attempts to sign him. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtm...ufnkeane301.xml Dublin bookies Boylesports quote just 6-5 for Keane to be a Liverpool player next season or 8-13 that he's still at Spurs. http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/more/2008/07...89520-20627538/ Keane has "asked to be kept informed of Liverpool's interest after being the subject of a cash-plus-Peter Crouch enquiry last week", but is "unlikely" to submit a transfer request although "that could change if Liverpool lodge a formal bid". However, Spurs' £20m valuation "would still be prohibitive". Liverpool are expected to make a 4th offer of around £15m to Aston Villa for Gareth Barry "in the next 48 hours". If that bid is successful Liverpool "will then have to sell before making any purchases in the Keane price-bracket". Liverpool hope to raise £1m by selling Charles Itandje to Galatasaray. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/ju...eague.liverpool Villa are "anticipating" a 4th bid from Liverpool for Barry, but it appears "highly unlikely" that his future will be resolved before the Villa players, including Barry, are due to report back for pre-season training tomorrow. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/ju...ague.astonvilla Portsmouth will "step up" their chase for Peter Crouch this week. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/...ips-Kaboul.html Liverpool "are trying to revive a deal for Albert Riera". http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/foo...icle4252288.ece Liverpool have officially confirmed that Paul Anderson will spend the 2008-09 season on loan at Notts Forest & that he has also signed a new contract to keep him at Liverpool until 2011. http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N...080701-1612.htm Everton are considering a £7m move for reported former Liverpool target Pablo Aimar. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/...w-campaign.html

Agree with you mate There were so many times during Spain's games in the tournament that Torres was on the shoulder of his marker & started a run into space only for the Spanish player in possession of the ball (usually one of the midfielders) to play a short pass sideways.

Transfer news/speculation from this morning's papers................... Robbie Keane has handed in a transfer demand "after learning Liverpool had lodged a player-plus-cash bid for him on Friday". Keane "came out of a meeting at White Hart Lane having left club officials in little doubt about his eagerness to play for his boyhood idols". Liverpool are prepared to exchange Peter Crouch & around £5m for Keane, but Spurs have rejected their initial offer & placed a £20m valuation on Keane. Liverpool may also struggle to include Crouch as part of the deal because he wants to join Portsmouth. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/...5m-striker.html Liverpool are "growing in confidence they will be able to succeed" in their bid for Keane. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/...sfer-Spurs.html Liverpool's co-owners are willing to sanction £18m spending on Gareth Barry "within the next few days". http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtm...ufnbarry130.xml Mark Lawrenson says the gap between Liverpool’s valuation of Barry & Villa’s asking price is getting "smaller and smaller". http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverp...64375-21205663/ Liverpool have still yet to make an improved bid for Barry, as they "are still plotting their next and likely to be decisive, move", with an increased offer of around £18m "now expected to be enough to end the long-running transfer saga". Liverpool’s pursuit of Barry "depends on whether they can raise funds by offloading some of their fringe players". http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverp...64375-21205668/ Xabi Alonso says "he needs time to reflect on his future after admitting he has 'no idea' where he will play next season", with "rumours" suggesting that talks between Juventus & Liverpool "have stalled". http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_3760923,00.html Spurs intend to step up their interest in reported Liverpool target David Bentley by making an improved offer to Blackburn Rovers, after their initial offer which included Aaron Lennon as a makeweight was rejected. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/ju...r.premierleague Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich would apparently pay £85m for Fernando Torres if given any encouragement by Liverpool. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/g...ers/7482666.stm

Some more transfer news/speculation........ BBC Sport "understands" that Liverpool will make an improved offer for Gareth Barry "in a renewed attempt to bring the acrimonious saga to a conclusion". http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/t...lla/7450271.stm Aston Villa are "thought to be holding out for around £18m" for Barry, having already rejected a £15m bid. http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-s...97319-21172306/ Reported Liverpool target Lassana Diarra has confirmed he is staying at Portsmouth. http://www.skysports.com/football/euro2008...3757352,00.html Liverpool have officially confirmed today that Mauricio Pellegrino is set to return to the club as first-team coach. http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N...080630-1103.htm

From the Liverpool Daily Post this morning............... Anfield insiders have confirmed that Liverpool's interest in Robbie Keane is genuine, but admit that it could prove difficult to reach an agreement with Spurs. Anthony Le Tallec has left Liverpool & signed for French club Le Mans. Mauricio Pellegrino has been approached by Rafa to join his coaching staff. http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverp...64375-21171038/ Gareth Barry is "eager to push a move [to Liverpool] through this week to spare him having to return to pre-season training with O’Neill’s side". http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverp...64375-21171043/

Transfer news/speculation from this morning's papers.............. Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill has said he & Villa Chairman Randy Lerner are "surprised with the comments attributed to Gareth Barry" in the Sunday press because "contrary to what was reported, we desperately wanted to keep Gareth at Villa Park and he knows that". O'Neill says Villa offered Barry "a variety of options to incentivise the player", but that he "came back from England international duty in June and reiterated his intention to join Liverpool". O'Neill said that "if Liverpool meet our valuation then Gareth Barry will get his express wish to leave Villa Park", but that "Liverpool's valuation of Gareth has been consistently well short of our own and at the moment remains so". http://www.avfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsD...1335766,00.html Villa want £18m for Barry after O'Neill spoke to Lerner "at length yesterday" following the player's comments - Liverpool's last bid was £13m. It is "questionable" whether Liverpool have the cash to push the deal through, particularly as "the trail regarding Xabi Alonso's £16m move to Juventus appears to have gone cold for the time being". http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/...forget-him.html Liverpool's last bid for Barry was £15m. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtm...ufnbarry129.xml Villa value Barry at £19m & Liverpool's last bid was £14m. Liverpool "appear to be struggling to meet Villa’s asking price" & with money "alarmingly tight at Anfield this summer, there is no appetite for a dramatically increased offer". Rafa wants to sign David Silva, but unless "significant sums can be raised" through sales he will have to look to players such as James Milner or Stewart Downing. Charles Itandje is set to join Galatasaray for £1.5m & Rafa is also eager to sell Scott Carson & Danny Guthrie, while Ajax have offered £4.5m for Yossi Benayoun. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/foo...icle4238104.ece Liverpool have "proposed a cash-plus-Peter Crouch deal" for Robbie Keane, who Spurs have insisted is not for sale. Keane "has emerged as a leading target for Liverpool after discussions between Anfield officials and their Spurs counterparts about Crouch", who is valued at £10m-£12m. Spurs "instantly dismissed Liverpool's approach last week" but Liverpool "will persist with efforts to induce Keane to move". He "will have to agitate for a move" for the transfer to proceed to the club he supported as a boy. A £20m deal involving Crouch "would suit Liverpool", but if Crouch moves elsewhere Liverpool "could put money from his sale towards a straight cash bid". http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/ju...eague.liverpool

Transfer news/speculation from today's papers.......... Reported Liverpool target David Bentley told new Blackburn boss Paul Ince that "he is still intent on leaving the club this summer" in a face-to-face meeting earlier this week. However, Ince told Bentley he wants to keep him "for at least another 12 months" & "would only consider selling if a club in the top four came in with a ‘ridiculous’ offer". So far, the only club to have registered a firm interest is Aston Villa, who "were given short shrift" by Blackburn. Spurs are also "thought to be keen", but, "despite speculation to the contrary, none of the big four - Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool - have made firm enquiries for Bentley as yet this summer". http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport...g_with_Bentley/ Liverpool have bid £12m for Bentley & are prepared to meet Blackburn's asking price of £15m, but "look set to lose out to Tottenham" as Bentley prefers a return south. Spurs "remain favourites", although Chelsea "are also believed to be interested". Blackburn may prefer to sell Bentley to Spurs as they can ask for cash plus players as part of the deal. http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/tm_...-name_page.html Bentley has told Blackburn he still wants to leave despite the appointment of Ince, but he "will only be allowed to join a top-four club". However, he "does not feature on the radar of Manchester United, Chelsea or his former club Arsenal, while Blackburn's £15m asking price is too high for Liverpool". Spurs have registered their interest, while Aston Villa & Man City are also keen. http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/sport/footba...98487-20625411/ Spurs are "hopeful of getting Bentley" & "remain keen" on the £25m rated David Villa "but face daunting competition for Villa" from Chelsea, Real Madrid & Barca. http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/200...89520-20624001/ Portsmouth will try to buy Spain's Dani Guiza if Liverpool don't sell Peter Crouch to them. http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/tm_...-name_page.html Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp has said that "Liverpool do want more than we are offering [for Crouch]. We shall see on that one" & that he'd "like to have someone like Yossi Benayoun", but that he doesn't know "what the chances are of getting him out of Liverpool". http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_3753523,00.html Charles Itandje is wanted by Galatasaray & "may be allowed to leave in a bargain deal in the next few weeks". http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/liv...89520-20624005/ Liverpool will make a bid of about £500,000 for Anti Niemi. http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/tm_...-name_page.html Accrington Stanley have confirmed that they will be seeking to take Liverpool reserve Godwin Antwi on a season-long loan, something Chester City have already contacted Liverpool about. http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport...rpool_defender/

Transfer news/speculation from today's papers...... Galatasaray have made a £2m bid for Charles Itandje, who has agreed a 3 year contract with them. If Itandje departs, Liverpool want to find a replacement before letting Scott Carson, who they value at £6m, leave, although they will only sell him permanently, but both Middlesbrough & Stoke are interested in taking him on loan. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/...rson-limbo.html Liverpool are interested in Lazio's £5m right-sided Swiss midfielder Valon Behrami, as are Spurs, Man City, Seville & Sunderland. Despite interest from Liverpool, Chelsea & Spurs David Villa will "stay in Spain", either joining Barca or Real Madrid or, "less likely", remaining with Valencia. http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/footbal...ers-856125.html Liverpool's hopes of receiving £12m for Peter Crouch "have been encouraged by the growing interest" in him, with Portsmouth, Man City, Spurs & Newcastle all registering their interest, although only Portsmouth have made an offer. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/ju...l.premierleague Spurs "have approached Liverpool" for Crouch, "who they see as someone who can occupy the role of Dimitar Berbatov, who they expect will depart before the beginning of the season". http://www.guillembalague.com/rumores_desp.php?id=27 Arsenal's interest in Crouch is "in jeopardy" following the possibility that Emmanuel Adebayor stays at the London club. Arsenal "would have the means to get closer to Liverpool’s £15m valuation [of Crouch] than any of the other clubs interested". Newcastle now "won’t be pursuing" Crouch, while Portsmouth "are still considering whether to improve" their offer. Stewart Downing "is not expected" to be a target despite constant speculation. Liverpool are also "set to abandon" their interest in James Milner as Newcastle, "who have already dismissed Liverpool’s £7m valuation, are now insisting he won’t be sold". http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverp...64375-21165875/ Liverpool are "lining up a £12m offer" for Stewart Downing. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/...es-staying.html Former Aston Villa player Paul Merson has said it would be an “absolute tragedy” if Gareth Barry was to join Liverpool, warning the player that the “grass isn’t always greener on the other side.” The deal is "currently in stalemate" with Villa "waiting to see if Liverpool...come in with a fourth and final improved bid". http://www.birminghampost.net/midlands-bir...65233-21165853/ Swansea manager Roberto Martinez has criticised Paul Anderson for chosing to go to Notts Forest on loan rather than re-joining Swansea for another season. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/t...est/7475988.stm

Middlesbrough chief executive Keith Lamb has told Liverpool to forget about signing Stewart Downing, saying: "We believe he is happy and settled here." http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/g...ers/7476761.stm Yossi Benayoun's agent has commented on the speculation regarding his future. "He is a good player so it is only normal that these clubs would be interested in signing him, but Yossi is very happy at Liverpool, everything is perfect for him there." http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/t...ool/7477586.stm

From this afternoon's Liverpool Echo....... Rick Parry has confirmed Liverpool "are in discussions" with Danish club Herfolge BK & AZ Alkmaar in Holland about the signings of Nikola Saric & Vincent Weijl respectively, but reports claiming the deals are already done are "highly presumptuous". Juventus have still not made an improved offer for Xabi Alonso. West Brom’s plans to ask for Scott Carson on loan for the coming "look doomed to failure" because Liverpool want to sell Carson for £10m. http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-f...00252-21161428/

I just can't compete, can I.

Some more transfer news/speculation..... Andrea Dossena is set to sign for Liverpool "when the transfer window officially opens on Tuesday" for a fee in the region of £6m, having agreed terms earlier this month before going on his honeymoon. http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverp...64375-21159607/ Swansea City want to take Adam Hammill on loan. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/g...ers/7476761.stm Chester City last night approached Liverpool to enquire about taking Godwin Antwi on a season long loan. http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverp...64375-21160823/