GWistooshort

Villa's statement on our latest bid for Gareth Barry is available HERE They received it late last night & say it was "a slight improvement" on the previous bid, but has been rejected

From this morning's Liverpool Daily Post..... Liverpool are "weighing up their next move for Gareth Barry wary of the possibility that Aston Villa could reject a £15m bid". "Sources in the Midlands claim there is a growing feeling that a figure in the region of £18m will be needed to allow talks to open". Villa were "still to receive" an anticipated third bid from Liverpool last night, & while that offer "remains imminent, Anfield officials were yesterday considering how much to raise the stakes by". But "they are certainly facing the prospect" of paying more than £14m for Barry. Roma are set to make a bid for John Arne Riise, while Newcastle are considering making a move for the player as are several other Premier League clubs. Incidently the article says that Liverpool’s current 2nd record signing is still Cisse at £14m, so either the journo forgot about Mascherano or he cost less than £14m. www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2008/06/12/liverpool-fc-prepare-to-up-bid-for-gareth-barry-64375-21061123/

Transfer news from this morning's papers..... John Arne Riise's agent says there are "many clubs" interested in Riise. www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11669_3679178,00.html Roma coach Luciano Spalletti has confirmed his interest in Riise with speculation he is about to bid £3m for him. www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/2008/06/12/roma-ready-to-grab-riise-89520-20604043/ Newcastle have turned down £4m offers for James Milner from Liverpool & Aston Villa. www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1025859/Transfer-round-Newcastle-turn-Milner-offers-Moyes-looks-City.html Milner is due for talks over the possibility of a new contract with Newcastle when he returns from holiday. No date has yet been fixed for that meeting. Villa "are believed to be ready to pay £8m for Milner". www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1025717/Milner-set-talks-Newcastle-future-Liverpool-Aston-Villa-wait-pounce.html Liverpool will beat Villa to sign Milner in a deal which includes Jermaine Pennant plus cash for the Newscastle player. The discussions are now centred on how much cash must be included in the deal for Milner, who is keen to move for European football to boost his England ambitions. Pennant was originally offered to Villa in Liverpool's first bid for Gareth Barry. Liverpool are also closing in on Barry, who Villa are now resigned to losing after he told them he wants to move to Anfield. Liverpool "are putting the finishing touches" to a third cash bid of £15m, with £3m in add-ons, which they hope will finally ensure they get permission to speak to the player. Villa are holding out for £20m but Barry "is on standby" to open talks with Liverpool after returning from holiday & a compromise "is set to be thrashed out". www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/2008/06/12/liverpool-win-race-to-sign-james-milner-89520-20604040/ Despite being resigned to losing Barry, Villa will resist Liverpool's attempts to sign him for around £15m, determined that the price should be closer to £20m. Villa will not allow Barry's departure on anything other than their terms. Liverpool "are keen to avoid antagonising Villa further" & there was "dialogue" between the two clubs yesterday "as they sought a compromise". Liverpool may make a bid of £15m in cash with up to a further £3m in add-ons, although whether Villa are receptive to that idea "remains to be seen". Villa "could still be tempted by the availability of fringe players at Liverpool", such as Peter Crouch & Yossi Benayoun, although the striker "is expected to join Portsmouth". www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/jun/12/premierleague.astonvilla David Villa's agent has reportedly revealed that both Barcelona & Real Madrid have bid £28m for the striker. www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2008/06/12/sfnars112.xml Villa himself has said "I'm not going to speak about my future until after the Championships" [Euro2008]. www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11827_3680370,00.html Cesc Fabregas has called upon Arsene Wenger to join the race for Villa saying "David would be amazing in the English league. He can do as well in England as Fernando Torres has. I would love to have him in my team at Arsenal. He is an amazing player, one who can make the difference. He has mobility, he scores goals and is brave. He can play well on the shoulder of defenders getting in behind, or just in front of them when the ball is played to his feet." Gerard Houllier, who watched Spain v Russia as a member of UEFA's technical committee, said Villa & Torres were both "outstanding" adding "Torres is a wonderful player and he has had an excellent first season at Liverpool. I only wish I'd had the money to buy someone like him when I was in charge there." www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/internationals/fabregas-wants-hattrick-villa-at-arsenal-844964.html Chelsea are also interested in signing Villa. www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/2008/06/12/chelsea-in-race-to-sign-spanish-striker-david-villa-89520-20604106/ Blackburn chairman John Williams has said the club does not want to sell its best players such as reported Liverpool target David Bentley. www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_3678065,00.html

Barratt & Balague have said that we're not in for Villa & ShanksLegend's source has told him that we are

From today's Echo.... LIVERPOOL are weighing up an improved bid for Aston Villa's Gareth Barry. Reports today claim the Reds are ready to make a straight £15m cash offer, after Villa confirmed yesterday their skipper wants to join the Reds. Anfield officials said today such reports were “categorically untrue” and they have still not decided how much or when their latest offer will be tabled. But with boss Rafa Benitez keen to wrap up a deal, an improved offer is likely to be made later today. www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2008/06/11/liverpool-fc-ready-to-raise-gareth-barry-stakes-100252-21056391/

Comparison of the number of £10m+ players in the current Chelsea, Liverpool & Man Utd squads Chelsea £10m-£15m = 5 Anelka £15m Ashley Cole £15m Ferreira £13.2m Lampard £11m Malouda £13.5m £15m-£20m = 4 Boswinga £16.2m Carvalho £19.85m Makelele £16.6m Mikel £16m £20m+ = 4 Drogba £24m Essien £24.4m Shevchenko £31m Wright-Phillips £21m Liverpool £10m-£15m = 2 Alonso £10.7m Babel £11.5m £15m-£20m = 2 Mascherano £18m Torres £16m £20m+ = 0 Man Utd £10m-£15m = 2 or 3 Anderson £13m-£18m? Ronaldo £12m Saha £12.8m £15m-£20m = 3 or 4 Anderson £13m-£18m? Carrick £18.6m Hargreaves £17m Nani £17.3m £20m+ = 2 Ferdinand £29.1m Rooney £27m (with Tevez widely expected to sign this summer for a fee of around £25m)

The Independent said earlier this week that van der Vaart has a clause in his contract that allows him to leave for £1.25m next season, but he would obviously cost a lot more than that were he to leave this summer www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/internationals/van-persie-kicks-sneijder-as-old-dutch-habits-die-hard-842876.html

Rafa has said "Whenever we talk about the deal for Torres with Atlético Madrid we always include Luis GarcÍa in the price. The total cost of the operation is around £20 million." http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/foo...icle3648804.ece

The BBC's Phil McNulty on Villa's future & LFC.... "Liverpool is another potential home, especially as his link with Torres is so potent, but a lack of financial firepower inside Anfield's troubled corridors of power and a question of style may hamper any deal. Rafael Benitez is now firmly locked into the system which has Steven Gerrard pushing up alongside Torres, with the growing likelihood of Javier Mascherano and Gareth Barry forming the holding midfield partnership. Where would Villa fit in - even if Liverpool could actually afford him?" www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A37133444

Transfer news from the papers this morning..... Rafa Benitez will "step up" his attempts to offload his surplus players & "strengthening the flanks remains a priority". Peter Crouch could go to Villa in a swap for Barry, although there is interest in Crouch from Portsmouth & possibly Newcastle if they fail to sign St Etienne striker Bafetimibi Gomis. www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2008/06/11/benitez-to-step-up-fundraising-efforts-64375-21054714 Aston Villa have issued a statement confirming that Barry has told O'Neill "he would like to leave Aston Villa to join Liverpool", but that Liverpool's bid for the player "has been rejected". Liverpool are expected to up their offer within the next 48 hours. www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_3676114,00.html Villa want £14m for Barry with the majority of the fee up front. Liverpool need to sell Xabi Alonso to Juventus before they can match the asking price & finance other deals. www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1025583/Villa-holding-collect-14million-Liverpool-Gareth-Barry.html Liverpool will make an improved cash offer of £14m for Barry & "will also consider a player-exchange deal that, unlike previous offers, would be on the Villa manager's terms". www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/jun/11/premierleague.liverpool Liverpool hope to clinch the signing of Barry in the next 48 hours with a fresh offer of £15m, plus another £3m in add-ons. Villa are also interested in signing Yossi Benayoun from Liverpool in a separate cash deal. www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/2008/06/11/liverpool-make-15m-cash-bid-for-gareth-barry-89520-20603015 Everton's reported interest in £16m rated Sporting Lisbon midfielder Joao Moutinho could prompt moves from Liverpool, Arsenal or Man Utd who have all been monitoring the player. www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1025420/Everton-boss-Moyes-flying-Euros-watch-16m-Portugal-star-Moutinho.html David Villa has praised his striking partnership with Fernando Torres after Spain's victory over Russia yesterday: “I dedicate my goals to Fernando,” Villa said. “He prepared them for me with his passes and the way he makes space. I scored because of him.” Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich was a spectator at the match & Villa's impressive display has prompted speculation that Chelsea will try & sign the striker this summer. www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/international/article4108159.ece

Quotes from David Villa on the Sky Sports website in mid-April "I watch the Premier League a lot and the team I'm most attracted to is definitely Arsenal," he said. Should a move to Emirates Stadium not materialise, Villa admitted that he would be equally happy to join up with his international team-mate Fernando Torres at Liverpool. "It's great playing alongside Fernando," he said. "We understand each other totally and we get on brilliantly off the park." www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12876_3430194,00.html

Thanks David To put it into context our average net transfer spend over the past 3 years (2005-07) has been just under £34m/year (so including Jan transfer window) according to the very interesting & informative breakdown of the recently released accounts on RAWK (Link)

no worries :shake:

From today's Echo..... "Espanyol winger Albert Riera is also a player Liverpool have looked at, but the Reds are not anticipating any imminent offer for his services." "While this summer’s transfer budget had already been catered for in the January refinancing package, the Reds boss must still sell to generate further funds" www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2008/06/10/benitez-i-am-here-for-good-100252-21050275/

Bolton have said they may bid for Danny Guthrie later in the summer www.theboltonnews.co.uk/wanderers/wanderersnews/display.var.2327213.0.guthrie_may_make_permanent_return.php Gareth Barry's agent has said that Barry has spoken to Martin O'Neill since returning from England's game in Trinidad & told him that "at this stage of his career Gareth wants to be playing Champions League football and believes this [the proposed move to Liverpool] is his chance to do it." www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_3672094,00.html

Indeed, the precedent set so far doesn't exactly fill you with confidence......

From The Times this morning.... "Newcastle are driving a hard bargain for James Milner. Rafael Benítez, the Liverpool manager, rates the winger highly, but is reluctant to meet Newcastle’s £7 million-plus valuation. With Stewart Downing, the Middlesbrough winger, likely to cost up to double that sum and Espanyol demanding about £19 million for Albert Riera, Benítez may have to lower his sights in the pursuit of a wide player. Benítez is expected to raise about £5 million through the sale of John Arne Riise, though, with AS Roma closing in on the Norwegian, while Danny Guthrie could join Bolton permanently after impressing on loan from Liverpool last season." www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/article4100653.ece

Hicks has gone on record saying he would "never" consider selling Torres Link Whether we believe him or not is another matter.....

Transfer news from today's papers..... Liverpool are lining up a £9m offer for Espanyol winger Albert Riera. But the money needed to prise Gareth Barry from Aston Villa, after they already rejected bids of £10m and £12m, means Rafa Benitez is unwilling to enter into a bidding war for Riera. Liverpool’s transfer budget is unaffected by the £33m loss that was revealed yesterday in the accounts of Kop Holdings Ltd. The signing of Andrea Dossena is "already tied up". www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2008/06/10/benitez-back-in-the-hunt-for-riera-64375-21047758/ Liverpool have opened negotiations with Roma regarding the possible sale of John Arne Riise, though the Italians have not met the £5m asking price www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/jun/10/liverpool Xabi Alonso has said he's not going to talk about his future anymore so he can concentrate on the Euros. www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11854_3670764,00.html Franck Ribéry has said there is "a good chance" he will fulfil the 4 year contract he agreed when he signed for Bayern Munich a year ago. The Guardian says "several clubs in Spain and England are believed to have expressed their interest" in Ribéry. www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/jun/09/euro2008.bundesligafootball Arsenal are emerging as the favourites to sign Aaron Ramsey www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/jun/10/premierleague.arsenal

A few snippets from today's papers... The Liverpool Echo appears to believe Dossena deal is done - it says "Andreas Dossena is the only player Liverpool have spent money on so far this summer" www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2008/06/09/fernando-torres-time-for-liverpool-fc-owners-to-spend-big-100252-21044788/ The Echo also says £33m loss posted by Liverpool in the year to 31/7/07 "will not affect Rafa Benitez’s spending power this summer. A significant transfer fund for the manager was included in the club’s overall level of debt, allowing Benitez to still chase his major targets." www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2008/06/09/liverpool-fc-accounts-show-33m-loss-100252-21044784/ Ricardo Quaresma could be joining Inter www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/kenyons-milan-trip-deepens-blues-transfer-confusion-842866.html Aaron Ramsey is leaning towards joining Arsenal rather than Manchester United or Everton after talking to all three clubs www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/transfer-news-and-speculation-9-june-842868.html Ramsey is a boyhood United fan www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/jun/09/manchestercity.premierleague Rafael van der Vaart could be available as he has a clause in his contract that allows him to leave for £1.25m next season www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/internationals/van-persie-kicks-sneijder-as-old-dutch-habits-die-hard-842876.html

Xabi says he would like to play for Juve www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_3660862,00.html

Having had bids of £10m & £12m for Gareth Barry rejected, Liverpool are going to return with a new bid of £15m, although Martin O'Neill believes the player is worth £18m www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/2008/06/06/martin-o-neill-admits-that-gareth-barry-is-likely-to-leave-villa-89520-20596836/ New Man City boss Mark Hughes wants to buy reported Liverpool target David Bentley from his old club Blackburn, but Bentley is said to favour a move to a team with Champions League football www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/2008/06/06/david-bentley-and-roque-santa-cruz-on-mark-hughes-hit-list-89520-20596842/ Liverpool hope to complete a £10million deal for either Espanyol's Albert Riera or Newcastle's James Milner in the next few days, with Riera the most likely next arrival at Anfield. Rafa's major target (beside Gareth Barry) is Sevilla's Daniel Alves although the £20m asking price may be beyond Liverpool unless they can raise enough funds from sales. Liverpool now seems unlikely to follow up their initial interest in Cardiff teenager Aaron Ramsey. www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/2008/06/06/liverpool-sign-italian-defender-andrea-dossena-89520-20596844/ Gareth Barry is expected to sign for Liverpool next week. Rafa is expected to step up his chase for David Bentley. Fee from Juve for Xabi Alonso yet to be agreed but between £14-16m. Peter Crouch, Scott Carson or John Arne Riise could move to Villa. Rafa expects to tie up a deal for Andrea Dossena today. Rafa is "expecting a considerable warchest" from Hicks & Gillett. www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2008/06/06/david-bentley-next-as-liverpool-close-on-gareth-barry-64375-21032569/

No, but out-of-contract Zolten Gera is close to signing for Fulham according to the BBC Gossip Column Feel any better?

Sky Sports website is linking us with Thiago Silva, a 23 year old Brazilian defender who Monaco want to sign www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11669_3653495,00.html

Not much transfer news re Liverpool in the papers this morning... The Independent & the Telegraph both report that Aaron Ramsey is heading for talks with Man Utd in the next 48 hours www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/united-forge-ahead-in-race-for-ramsey-840373.html www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2008/06/05/sfnram105.xml The BBC Gossip Column says Liverpool will unveil £7m-rated left-back Andrea Dossena as their second summer signing today http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/g...ers/7437058.stm So to make up for the lack of transfer news HERES (link) a picture of Rafa in a silly hat