GWistooshort

Roma have announced they have been given permission by Liverpool to discuss terms with Riise Riise in Rome for a medical according to his agent Fee reported to be £4.75m http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/t...ool/7461405.stm http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_3706313,00.html

Some more transfer news from today's papers...... Liverpool could end their interest in James Milner if Newcastle want more than £7m, with Liverpool valuing him at £5m with a player-plus-cash offer involving Danny Guthrie Liverpool's preferred option. Milner "has been tracked by Rafa he seeks to strengthen his flanks", but there are suggestions that Newcastle will look to push Milner’s valuation up to £9m. Rafa "is also willing to sit tight & wait for Aston Villa to agree to a fee for Gareth Barry as he ponders a fourth bid for the Aston Villa midfielder" & "it won’t have escaped the attention of anyone at Anfield that Villa have started preparing for Barry’s departure by closing in on the £4.5m purchase of Steve Sidwell from Chelsea". www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2008/06/18/james-milner-price-set-to-cool-liverpool-s-interest-64375-21094027/ Liverpool will refuse "point blank" to pay Villa's "ludicrous" £20m asking price for Barry, a valuation it considers "massively inflated". Rafa Benitez is angry Martin O'Neill is being obstructive in negotiations, when it is clear Barry wants to join Liverpool. If Villa don't reduce their asking price Liverpool will apologise to Barry & walk away from the deal with Portsmouth's Lassana Diarra a viable alternative, particularly as Portsmouth want Peter Crouch & a swap deal "would offer a solution". www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/2008/06/18/liverpool-fury-at-gareth-barry-price-tag-89520-20611722/ Villa & Chelsea have agreed a £5.5m fee for Steve Sidwell, which appears to signal that Barry will join Liverpool. www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/article4162988.ece

Transfer rumours from the papers this morning..... Aston Villa's Gareth Barry may have to put in a transfer request in order to secure a move to Liverpool as the stalemate over his valuation "threatens his move to Anfield", with Liverpool "adamant they will not meet Villa's £18m-£20m asking price". Liverpool have had 3 offers rejected, the last of £13m, & are prepared to make a 4th "this week", which is "likely to be left with Villa as Benítez considers alternative targets". Barry is "loth to sour relations with his employers of 11 years & with a manager he respects by formally requesting a transfer, but he will have no alternative if the stand-off continues". Liverpool believe "they are being held to ransom by Villa & hold a similar view of Newcastle's insistence on at least £7m for James Milner", whom "is one of several wingers under consideration". Liverpool's offer of Danny Guthrie, Jack Hobbs & Emiliano Insúa in exchange for Milner was rejected last month. Guthrie "may yet be a makeweight" in a deal for Milner, whom Liverpool value at closer to £5m. www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/jun/18/premierleague.liverpool Villa are "under no pressure" to sell Barry "on the cheap" because a source "close to Villa" said "The sale of Barry will have no effect on the plans Martin O'Neill has in place for the summer. Any deal for Barry will be on his and Villa's terms." Liverpool are expected to make a 4th offer "during the coming week" for Barry. www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1026793/Villa-happy-hold-18m-Barry-Liverpool-look-make-fourth-bid-midfielder.html It’s "unlikely" that Liverpool's transfer budget will stretch to signing David Villa, a player Rafa "has shown an interest in in the past". www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2008/06/18/david-villa-denies-liverpool-link-as-he-concentrates-on-championships-64375-21092698/ Pepe Reina is "resigned to the fact that a record signing on the scale of Torres is beyond the club this summer". The Liverpool keeper said “Things aren’t especially good (economically) but I imagine there will be some important signings for the club that will help us be more competitive." www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2008/06/18/liverpool-s-reina-is-delighted-to-fill-in-for-iker-64375-21092697/ Roma are "hoping to complete" the £4m signing of John Arne Riise "in the coming days". Jermaine Pennant is "adamant that he wishes to stay” at Liverpool. A firm offer from Juventus for Xabi Alonso is "expected imminently". Liverpool are expected to make a 4th bid for Gareth Barry "this week". Rafa "is also hoping to bring James Milner...to Anfield" & "wants to raise more funds by offloading Peter Crouch...to Portsmouth". www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/article4160110.ece Portsmouth are set to launch a £10m bid for Crouch "this week". http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/g...ers/7460535.stm Villa are the 1st club to make a firm approach for reported Liverpool target David Bentley, who is interesting "a number of clubs, including Spurs & Chelsea", with an offer of £15m. www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1027151/ONeill-launches-15m-bid-Blackburn-midfielder-Bentley.html Everton will try to sign Bentley if Mikel Arteta leaves. Man City are prepared to bid £15m for Bentley, but "Everton believe he would favour joining them". www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1027293/Everton-Bentley-Arteta-returns-Spain.html

According to today's Birmingham Mail Aston Villa's Gareth Barry "will eventually move to Liverpool" & there now appears "little hope" of changing his mind. However, the paper says Villa are awaiting a new bid & want "a significant increase" on the £13m offered last week. It also says that "despite weekend reports that Barry was to submit a written transfer request to try to force Villa’s arm and forgoing a seven figure loyalty payment, Villa have not yet received such paperwork". www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-sport/aston-villa-fc/aston-villa-news/2008/06/17/aston-villa-close-in-on-steve-sidwell-97319-21088114/

How about this for the midfield & attack playing 4-3-3 with Villa? Gerrard-----Mascherano-----Barry Villa-------Torres-------Babel Has lots of flexibility...... Can swop to 4-4-2 Gerrard-----Mascherano-----Barry-----Babel ---------------Villa-------Torres--------------- Or this (when attacking).... ---Mascherano-----Barry--- ----------Gerrard------------ Villa-------Torres-------Babel but those 6 players are probably too attacking given we have just signed/are signing 2 attacking full backs

For what it's worth Tom Hicks has once again said that Torres is not for sale “There is no price at which we would consider selling Fernando Torres,” said Texas-based Hicks. “The Chelsea rumours in the media are total rubbish.” www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2008/06/17/we-ll-never-deal-on-fernando-torres-tom-hicks-100252-21087707/

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Here's some quotes from Villa's latest interview with Balague..... Guillem: There have been some comments attributed to you in the press regarding your future; I understand that you’d like to take this opportunity to set the record straight… David Villa: I have heard that I am supposed to have said that I would prefer to go to Liverpool to play next season or that I want Chelsea to be my next team. Please, Guillem, make sure that people know that I have not said anything like that. My club insists I am not for sale and, believe me, I am totally focused on the European Championships. As far as I know, nobody from Liverpool has been in touch, but in any case my future is not something I have in my mind at the moment. I do not understand why people put words in my mouth. Guillem: Did that goal make you happier than the hat trick against Russia? David Villa: Of course, no doubt about it. It was double the happiness. It was pure joy. And the first person I met to celebrate it with was Reina, my best friend. He ran faster than anybody, in fact he always runs the fastest in goal celebrations, he lives matches very intensely. Guillem: Immediately after the Russia match, it looked like you had difficulty getting the ball off the referee for a souvenir of your hat-trick. David Villa: Thank God for Pepe Reina and Xabi Alonso. I don’t speak English, so they had to go to the ref and explain that I wanted the ball, about the traditions involving a hat-trick. He didn’t want to give it to me, he said he couldn’t, but in the end he did. Guillem: The talk amongst the journalists the next day was that those goals have added zeros to your transfer fee. David Villa: I always say the same thing: nobody from Valencia has told me that I am for sale. In any case, I am not at all worried about that at the moment. My priority, for now, is to play well in Euro 2008. Guillem: You cannot be used as a secret weapon anymore: defenders know what you can do… David Villa: I am lucky that I play next to Fernando Torres. Contrary to what happens when I play for Valencia, playing alongside Torres for Spain means that defenders have got two people to worry about. I have taken advantage of Fernando’s movement and of his runs. The first goal against Russia was practically his: he made the move and, very generously, passed it to me. For the second, his movement created a hole that Iniesta spotted and was able to feed me the ball. That is why I went across to the bench to celebrate the hat trick with Fernando. Every time he moved he created lots of space for me to use. If, from now on, defences decide to mark me, Fernando will take advantage of that. Guillem: Luis Aragones has always said that you are one of the two guys guaranteed a place in the line up, the other being Xavi. David Villa: I work hard so that the coach thinks exactly that of me. I know what he wants of me. We are learning to use a variety of things during a game that will benefit everybody: so we are all important and we all feel important. The four goals against Russia were counterattacking goals and in those situations, Torres is fantastic. It wasn’t in our original plans to play like that, but we got it in to our heads that we could change things about and be more direct to take advantage of our pace. Guillem: Should I dare say it? It looks like we have almost everything to go all the way… David Villa: It looks good, we have to admit. We played better against Sweden than against Russia; we are improving as the tournament develops and that’s what happens to teams that end up winning it. I wonder if Holland peaked too early. We score at the end against Sweden and it feels like our bad moments don’t get punished like they have in other tournaments. We seem to have the luck of Champions, plus the atmosphere is fantastic. Some of the guys have been together winning under 17 and under 19 tournaments. I go out for meals with my parents and Reina’s parents and Torres and his parents. This is a big family. I have also been able to spend the day with my wife and daughter and all of that helps. www.guillembalague.com/interview_desp.php?id=9

Transfer news from this morning's papers..... John Arne Riise "is expected to complete a £5m move to Roma this week", after the Italian club's bid was accepted by Liverpool. Rafa "could use the money to step up his pursuit" of Aston Villa's Gareth Barry. www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1026940/Rome-heart-Riise-prepares-Liverpool-exit.html Roma are believed to have made a bid in the region of £4m for Riise, for whom Liverpool want £5m, but the two clubs’ differences in the player’s valuation "are likely to be ironed out within the next few days" & the move is "expected to go through by the end of the week". Liverpool officials "yesterday confirmed that they have still yet to receive any formal bids from Juventus or Portsmouth from Xabi Alonso and Peter Crouch respectively". Liverpool & Aston Villa also "have still to reach a fee over Gareth Barry’s proposed move to Anfield". www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2008/06/17/john-arne-riise-set-to-seal-roma-switch-64375-21085632/ Liverpool "expect an opening bid...of around £10m" for Peter Crouch from Portsmouth "this week", but Liverpool "are unlikely to accept the first bid for him, given that he is among the players whose transfer fee will make up the majority of their...transfer budget this summer". Portsmouth's bid "should flush out other clubs", with both Aston Villa & Newcastle interested. "Once Liverpool have more than one bid, then they will have a more realistic view of the market for him & tailor their own budget accordingly." Portsmouth "is an attractive prospect for Crouch", who would "relish" the chance to work with Harry Redknapp again, but any move has to keep him "in the international reckoning". Villa "want Crouch as part of the deal for Gareth Barry – an exchange Benitez has been so far unwilling to sanction...Even then, the personal terms at Villa would have to be right for Crouch, who will not be pushed into a move. In the worst case scenario, he would be prepared to see out his contract & leave on a Bosman free transfer next summer...It appears that the chain of transfers will begin once Benitez agrees to sell Crouch for a reasonable fee, although £20m for David Villa is currently out of Liverpool's reach." www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/portsmouth-ready-to-spark-auction-with-16310m-bid-for-crouch-848530.html Harry Redknapp has said that "there's not a chance" Portsmouth will be selling midfielder Lassana Diarra, whom Liverpool were recently linked with. www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11854_3698940,00.html Newcastle have told Liverpool & Aston Villa they want £9m for James Milner. Villa have made the 1st move to sign reported Liverpool target David Bentley. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/g...ers/7458289.stm Hamilton Accies' 17-year-old James McCarthy, whom Liverpool have tried to buy in the past, has said he will be staying at his current club "for at least another season", but that he would like to play in the Premiership in the future. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/t...cal/7458053.stm

The Guardian this morning said Villa & Newcastle were both in for Riise, but that he wants to go to Roma because he "prefers a new experience abroad" & wants to join a club in the Champions League www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/jun/16/liverpool.astonvilla

no worries stozza

Transfer rumours from today's papers..... Gareth Barry "is set to attempt to push through his desired move to Liverpool by handing in a transfer request at Aston Villa" forfeitting a loyalty bonus of more than £1m. Liverpool’s next offer of up to £18m, which includes add-ons if Barry wins the Premier League title at Anfield & a further 30 England caps, "is still unlikely to break the Midlanders’ resolve with Villa demanding £20m". www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2008/06/16/fernando-torres-looks-to-an-anfield-silver-lining-64375-21080366/ Barry's transfer to Liverpool "moved closer last night" after it emerged that Villa's plans to hold a testimonial for him next month "had been shelved". The clubs are likely to reach an agreement over a fee for the player "this week". Villa have notified Liverpool of Barry's £20m valuation "in an attempt to resolve the saga". Liverpool are "poised" to table a 4th offer of around £15m cash, with £3m in add-ons & are "anxious" to ensure it will finally give them permission to speak to Barry. www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/2008/06/16/gareth-barry-liverpool-switch-inches-closer-as-testimonial-scrapped-89520-20608970/ Liverpool "have accepted an offer that could rise above £4m for Riise depending on appearances and Roma's achievements over the course of the Norwegian's contract", who also had offers from Aston Villa & Newcastle. Despite reports in Italy claiming Juventus had succeeded with a £14.2m bid for Xabi Alonso Liverpool have not received an official offer from Juve. Negotiations between the clubs have been ongoing for several weeks, however, & Juve's chief executive, Jean-Claude Blanc, "is expected to travel to Merseyside early this week to finalise the fee". Liverpool have "just over £20m assured for transfers out of the £350m refinancing package" secured by Hicks & Gillett in Jan and have "earmarked" that for the purchases of Barry, for whom they will make a renewed bid "this week", & Udinese's Andrea Dossena, for whom they are expected to pay an initial £6m, possibly rising to £8m. www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/jun/16/liverpool.astonvilla Liverpool "are believed to have been tracking [blackburn's David] Bentley for several months as they look to resolve their long-standing right wing dilemma". www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2008/06/16/david-bentley-vow-to-go-alerts-top-clubs-64375-21080364/ Rafa is "said to be a big fan" of Bentley, but "reports in some quarters suggest Liverpool may face a battle to get Bentley as the player is keen to leave the North West". "Liverpool & Tottenham [are] said to be favourites to sign him". www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2008/06/15/liverpool-on-alert-after-david-bentley-tell-s-blackburn-i-m-leaving-64375-21079137/ Liverpool are "among those interested in the £12m-rated midfielder since he informed Hughes of his decision [to leave]" www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/jun/16/blackburn.premierleague Man City chiefs have given "the go-ahead for a £15m bid [for Bentley] that would see off interest from Liverpool or Tottenham". www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1026615/Blackburn-bombshell-Bentleys-leaving-summer-play-Champions-League.html Blackburn's chairman John Williams has said Bentley's desire to leave the club "is not something we will even discuss until the new manager is in place. www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/headlines/display.var.2343255.0.david_bentley_looks_to_leave_blackburn_rovers.php You can watch Bentley's interview where he confirms that he wants to leave Blackburn HERE Valencia have said that so far they haven't received any offers for David Villa www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11669_3695013,00.html Villa "has made it clear to his advisers that he would rather join Real Madrid or Barcelona than move to the Premier League". Valencia who want £25m for Villa have told him "he can decide his destination as long as that club meets their asking price". Villa is waiting on Real Madrid & Barcelona, who want to sell Ronaldinho & Eto'o before they buy Villa. Chelsea "are already looking elsewhere as they fear the Spanish hitman will snub a move to England". www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/2008/06/16/chelsea-target-david-villa-i-don-t-want-to-go-to-stamford-bridge-89520-20609093/ Rafa "is understood to have explored the possibility of" signing Villa, but "it would appear a remote prospect at a time when Liverpool are struggling to meet Aston Villa’s £20 million valuation of Gareth Barry" and "it is unlikely that the club’s owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr, would sanction a club-record bid for Villa". Liverpool hope to sell Peter Crouch to Portsmouth for £10m "this week". www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/liverpool/article4144501.ece Portsmouth "expect" to complete the £8m signing of Peter Crouch "in the next 48 hours". www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/2008/06/16/portsmouth-to-sign-8m-peter-crouch-from-liverpool-in-next-48-hours-89520-20608972/

From today's papers........ Portsmouth will table an £8m bid for Peter Crouch "within 48 hours" in an attempt to stave off growing interest from Aston Villa who are demanding that Crouch is included in any deal for Gareth Barry. Portsmouth remain "in the box seat" to sign Crouch, who is at the top of Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp's summer wish-list. www.sundaymirror.co.uk/sport/football/2008/06/15/portsmouth-set-to-bid-8million-for-peter-crouch-98487-20608391/ Crouch's £10m move to Portsmouth "looks set to be finalised this week". Harry Redknapp is confident he finally has his man after months of negotiations with Liverpool, which "almost saw the deal collapse". www.people.co.uk/sport/football/tm_headline=crouch-in-his-pomp%26method=full%26objectid=20608402%26siteid=93463-name_page.html The transfer of Barry to Liverpool "could well be finalised next week, according to a source inside Anfield", who said "The deal is advanced and all sides accept it will happen. But the price looks like being £15 million". Portsmouth midfielder Lassana Diarra "has a string of clubs interested in him according to a source at Fratton Park, with Liverpool thought to be favourites". www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/jun/15/ronaldo.manchesterunited Reported Liverpool target David Bentley has confirmed that he has told Blackburn Rovers he wants to leave to a club playing in the Champions League. www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_3694355,00.html Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate has said that reported Liverpool target Stewart Downing is not for sale. www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_3694030,00.html Uefa's appeal body has overturned the original decision to exclude Porto from next season's Champions League after new evidence came to light & has referred the case back to UEFA's disciplinary committee for a new decision. www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/uefa-overturn-porto-suspension-846707.html

From the official site..... TORRES: I'M HERE TO STAY Paul Hassall 14 June 2008 Fernando Torres has reaffirmed his commitment to Liverpool by once again declaring his love for life at Anfield. The Spanish hot-shot has dismissed out of hand any suggestions of a possible summer move and is instead focused on helping the Reds continue their quest for title glory. "I have no intention of leaving," said Torres. "We have to focus our energies to give the little step we need to get to the top teams. "If we only improve the team a little, we are going to manage to do so. "I want to say very clearly that I'm not on the market and it is my desire to continue at Liverpool. "I am very happy at Liverpool and want to carry on." www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N160229080614-1019.htm

I know! Some journos!!

He'll get some stick from his mates then... "Carragher was mocked by his friends when he produced a wallet on a night out — “just a normal wallet” — & will carry his spare change in his pocket for the rest of his life." www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article701496.ece

Transfer news from this morning's papers..... BBC Sport understands Liverpool will make an improved offer to sign Aston Villa's Gareth Barry. They also say that Liverpool are yet to receive a serious offer for Xabi Alonso from Juventus. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/t...lla/7450271.stm Although Rafa "realises that Liverpool must now make a fourth offer for Barry" he is "prepared to dig in and play a waiting game" in order to sign the player. Liverpool's rejected 3rd bid a few days ago is "believed to have been in the region of £15m". O’Neill "has broken down all direct contact with Benitez" & remains at odds with Liverpool's valuations of Crouch & Carson who are possible makeweights in the deal. Financial constraints mean that Rafa will have to offload several players this summer to balance the books for big money purchases. Xabi Alonso's potential exit from Anfield is not likely to be completed until after Euro2008. Reports in Italy that Liverpool had agreed a £14.2m fee with Juventus for Alonso are "wide of the mark". Although Liverpool have had "lengthy" talks with Juve, they have still yet to receive an official bid from them. One player who will not be leaving Anfield this summer is Fernando Torres. Liverpool’s stance is that "he is happy at Anfield and is not for sale". Rafa is away from the club until next week. http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0500liv...-name_page.html Rick Parry has said the following in response to the speculation of Chelsea's interest in Torres. "The only interest we have had in Fernando Torres seems to have been generated by certain newspapers. We have certainly had no contact whatsoever from Chelsea. Any speculation suggesting otherwise is categorically untrue. But if they were to make contact they would receive a very short answer. Fernando Torres is not for sale." While "avenues for discussion are still open" with Juventus over Alonso "the clubs were "miles apart" in their respective valuations yesterday", Juve's signing of Palermo's Amauri leaving them "strapped for the cash necessary to complete the Alonso deal" & they are "now struggling to meet Liverpool's £15m valuation". Liverpool's proposed £7m capture of Andreas Dossena has still not been confirmed, but "no problems are anticipated". Some outstanding paperwork still needs to be completed following the player's successful medical at Melwood earlier this month. http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0500liv...-name_page.html Chelsea are also attempting to persuade Liverpool to sell Torres & "it is known that he does not enjoy life on Merseyside and would join Chelsea if the two clubs can agree a fee". www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1026181/Chelsea-plan-test-AC-Milans-resolve-Kaka-offer.html Liverpool's hierarchy are "angered" by suggestions that either Hicks or Gillett might consider selling Torres. "Torres is not for sale, it is as simple as that. He is not going anywhere," said Rick Parry. Liverpool are understood to be "very calm" about the speculation surrounding their striker & their stance has not shifted since Hicks pledged this month that he would "never consider" selling Torres. Moreover the player himself recently insisted he was happy on Merseyside. "I want to say very clearly that I'm not on the market and it is my desire to continue at Liverpool," he said. "I'm very happy at Liverpool and I want to carry on." However, Chelsea have "a good chance" of signing David Villa against competition from Barcelona & Real Madrid with Valencia, who have debts of more than £237m, "keen to sell", having "unofficially put their entire first-team squad up for sale". Although Villa "would prefer a transfer to another Spanish club" he "has informed his representatives that he would be happy to play in the Premier League" & "is prepared to move to London". Villa's value has been inflated to near £28m by his hat-trick in the 4-1 dismissal of Russia at Euro 2008. Porto will seek about £27m for another Chelsea target Ricardo Quaresma, who has expressed an interest in moving abroad. www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/jun/14/premierleague.chelsea Sunderland fear reported Liverpool target Kenwyne Jones will not play again this year due to a knee ligament injury he sustained playing for Trinidad & Tobago against England. www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1026344/EXCLUSIVE-Sunderlands-Kenwyne-Jones--The-New-Drogba--2009.html Uefa is to re-consider the decision to exclude Porto from next season's Champions League after new evidence came to light. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7453243.stm

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no worries :shake:

Transfer news from this morning's papers.... Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill has said Liverpool’s latest bid for Gareth Barry, believed to be around £13m, was “just not acceptable”. However, "Villa fans were last night conceding it was now only a matter of time before their skipper left to join Liverpool". www.birminghampost.net/midlands-birmingham-sport/west-midlands-sports/aston-villa-fc/2008/06/13/aston-villa-out-for-more-as-gareth-barry-saga-nears-the-end-65233-21067471/ To watch O'Neill's comments on Liverpool's latest bid for Barry click HERE Liverpool "remain hopeful" they can reach agreement with Villa despite "no sign of a breakthrough last night". Villa will only entertain offers in excess of £15m. Liverpool's latest bid is understood to have been £13m. Liverpool maintain that funds are in place to sign Barry irrespective of Xabi Alonso's future. Liverpool are close to finalising a deal for Andrea Dossena from Udinese initially worth £6m but up to £8m with add-ons. Liverpool yesterday agreed a fee with Roma of just over £4m for John Arne Riise. www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/jun/13/premierleague.astonvilla Barry is "unlikely to force the issue by making an official transfer request, but having told Villa privately he wants to leave, he is approaching the point of doing so publicly". www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/article4119552.ece O'Neill "has angrily broken off all contact with Liverpool after becoming infuriated" by their pursuit of Barry. He is refusing to acknowledge attempts by Rafa or Rick Parry to enter into any dialogue over Barry. His stubborn tactics have left Liverpool exasperated as they hoped to finally buy Barry this week. And the player "is getting increasingly despondent at the failure of the two clubs to resolve his future after he made it clear to O'Neill he wanted to go". Liverpool are now reluctant to table a new bid for Barry while they have no insight into what O'Neill will accept. www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/2008/06/13/martin-o-neil-refuses-to-talk-to-rafael-benitez-over-barry-row-89520-20605449/ Liverpool will make a 4th bid for Barry after O’Neill admitted that he is resigned to losing his captain. However, after having their latest £15m offer rejected yesterday, it seems unlikely Liverpool will get Barry "for less than £18m given Villa’s hardline stance". Rafa is prepared to sit tight & remains confident of landing his target. Liverpool may have to offer a player-plus-cash deal involving either Peter Crouch or Scott Carson, although the 2 clubs valuations of both players are some way apart. Portsmouth want to sign Crouch, but only for around £8m. Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp said “we are moving along and something could happen soon. There might be a deal there. If there’s not then we will move on.” Rafa is "loath to undervalue the player as he is happy to keep him as part of his squad despite not being able to guarantee him the first team involvement he craves". According to reports in Italy, Juventus have made a final increased offer of £14.2m for Xabi Alonso this week, but Liverpool want more in the region of £16m, & the transfer "could be in jeopardy" with Juve looking at alternative options. www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2008/06/13/martin-o-neill-admits-that-gareth-barry-wants-to-go-to-liverpool-64375-21067551/ An acceptable cash-plus-player deal could "be the key" to Liverpool signing Barry. O'Neill is believed to want to make Scott Carson's season long loan permanent & Rafa is willing to sell, but the two "are at loggerheads over the valuation of the player". www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/villa-reject-liverpools-barry-bid-845516.html Alonso's move to Juve could be off with the Italian club unwilling to meet Liverpool's £15m valuation. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/g...ers/7452144.stm Chelsea will seek to buy Fernando Torres this summer although they will face "intransigence" from Liverpool if they decide to follow up their "tentative interest" in Torres, the sale of whom "would cause uproar among their support". Chelsea will also be in the market for reported Liverpool target Porto winger Ricardo Quaresma & another reported Liverpool target Valencia striker David Villa is "under consideration" by the London club. www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/jun/13/chelsea.premierleague Liverpool are "adamant that they will not sell" Torres, but Chelsea hope to exploit divisions between Gillett & Hicks. "Chelsea have been told that one of the Americans is willing to let Torres go for the right price and are planning to test Liverpool’s resolve with a bid". www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/chelsea/article4124614.ece Chelsea will "step up" their efforts to sign Torres. "Liverpool's recent financial result and the stalemate in their ownership issues have given Chelsea the belief that even Torres has a price". www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/torres-and-kaka-top-list-as-blues-plot-transfer-binge-846364.html Liverpool, Arsenal & Chelsea have been linked with Mario Balotelli, the 17-year-old striker, who is refusing to sign a new contract at Inter Milan. Schalke are interested in Riise. Portsmouth will turn to Eidur Gudjohnsen if they can't buy Crouch. www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/article4124660.ece Alistair Mackintosh, Tom Hicks' reportedly choice to replace Rick Parry as Liverpool CEO, has left the same position at Man City. www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2008/06/13/liverpool-target-aistair-mackintosh-leaves-eastlands-64375-21067554/ Mackintosh apparently left because he fell out with City owner Thaksin Sinawatra over the decision to sack former manager Sven Goran Eriksson. He is considering an offer to become Fulham's Managing Director, while Arsenal have also invited him to join their board. www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/jun/12/manchestercity Fulham appears Mackintosh's "most likely destination". www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2008/06/13/sfnmac113.xml

From today's Liverpool Echo..... Liverpool have dismissed reports that Jermaine Pennant will be the makeweight in a player plus cash deal for Newcastle’s James Milner. Newcastle have been in touch with Liverpool to express interest in a couple of the Reds’ fringe players, but are not interested in Pennant. There is concrete interest from AS Roma in John Arne Riise, who will probably be sold for £4m. The signing of Andreas Dossena is "imminent". www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2008/06/12/anfield-friendly-date-for-atletico-madrid-100252-21062783/

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That would explain Villa's comment that the new bid was "a slight improvement" as our last bid was reported to be £12m I think it's time for Barry to put in a transfer request

Good to see our boys doing everything they can to encourage David Villa to come to Liverpool..... VILLA GRATEFUL TO XABI AND PEPE Steve Hunter 12 June 2008 Spain hat-trick hero David Villa has thanked two of Liverpool's stars for helping him claim the match ball. After his treble saw off the challenge of Russia in Spain's opening Group D game of Euro 2008 on Tuesday, the Valencia striker was left disappointed after being told by the referee he couldn't keep the match ball. However, the intervention of teammates Xabi Alonso and Pepe Reina changed Austrian official Konrad Plautz's mind. Villa said: "The referee said he couldn't give it to me because of a UEFA rule but Pepe and Xabi Alonso talked to him in English and managed to get the ball for me." www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N160212080612-0954.htm

Everton have dismissed rumours that they are preparing a £3.5m bid for Yossi Benayoun as “fantasy”. http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0400eve...-name_page.html