GWistooshort

He's said in various articles.... Giggs is his favourite Welsh player Gerrard is his favourite current player He also used to admire Roy Keane

The Liverpool Echo says we're ready to match Arsenal & Man Utd's bids for Cardiff's Aaaron Ramsey, although we "face an uphill battle to prise him out of United’s clutches". www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2008/06/04/everton-and-liverpool-join-race-for-aaron-ramsey-100252-21021525/

Despite what the Guardian says I thinks it's more likely that we haven't offered enough as this is what the BBC, the Liverpool Daily Post (who I'd expect to be the most reliable source) & the Times are all saying :shake:

The Liverpool Daily Post this morning says the issue is we haven't offered enough, rather than paying in installments "Liverpool are understood to have made an initial offer that fell short of that [Cardiff's] valuation" of Ramsey http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverp...64375-21019648/

The BBC website is now reporting that Everton have also matched Arsenal & Man Utd's bids for Aaron Ramsey, but we have not yet done so http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/t...ity/7433277.stm

Transfer news from this morning's papers..... Xabi Alonso The Liverpool Daily Post says that Xabi is on “the verge of completing his move to Juventus”. http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverp...64375-21019645/ The Guardian reports that Rafa wants the deal completed before Euro2008 starts & that Xabi would prefer to return to Spain but, in the absence of serious interest from his homeland, "will have little option but to accept Juve's offer". http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/ju...eague.liverpool The Independent says Xabi would “reluctantly” accept the move if Juve agree a fee with Liverpool & that the Italians seem ready to up their bid from their initial £12m. http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/footbal...ure-839511.html Gareth Barry There are several stories this morning that Liverpool either already have or will shortly raise their offer for Barry to somewhere around £14-15m, while according to the BBC Gossip Column The Daily Mirror says that Aston Villa have told Liverpool they want £8m plus Peter Crouch. www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1024005/Liverpool-boss-Benitez-offers-15m-package-Villas-Barry.html http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/ju...eague.liverpool http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/footbal...ure-839511.html http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/foo...icle4061443.ece http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/g...ers/7434936.stm David Bentley The Times says that Mark Hughes would almost certainly lodge a bid for reported Liverpool target David Bentley if he becomes manager of Man City. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/foo...icle4062200.ece Andrea Dossena Several papers report that Liverpool are close to completing the signing of Dossena for somewhere between £6-8m, with The Daily Mail saying that LFC hope the deal will be concluded today. www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1024005/Liverpool-boss-Benitez-offers-15m-package-Villas-Barry.html http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/ju...eague.liverpool http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/foo...icle4061443.ece Aaron Ramsey Interestingly both The Liverpool Daily Post & The Times report that, unlike Arsenal & Man Utd, LFC hadn’t met Ramsey’s asking price “of up to £5.5m” yesterday. The Times says that Liverpool “were expected to meet the asking price last night” & that the initial fee is about £1.5m. The Daily Post says that Liverpool “are now considering a deal involving cash and a season’s loan of two youngsters, wide men Paul Anderson and Adam Hammill”. http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverp...64375-21019648/ http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/foo...icle4061443.ece David Villa The Daily Mail & The Daily Telegraph both report that Valencia have put David Villa up for sale for £17million, with Arsenal, Chelsea, Real Madrid & Spurs all interested. www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1024008/Spurs-Chelsea-Arsenal-alert-Valencia-listen-offers-David-Villa.html http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/g...ers/7434936.stm

According to a recent Guardian article (linky) his current favourite player is Stevie G altho he used to admire Roy Keane when he was younger - the article above says Giggs is his favourite Welsh player

BBC website is saying they understand the 2nd club to be Arsenal Link

Transfer news from the papers today... Xabi Alonso's agent will reportedly hold talks with Juventus today to seal a £13.5million move. www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1023761/Alonsos-agent-prepares-push-13-5m-Liverpool-Juventus.html Liverpool will make an improved offer for Aston Villa's Gareth Barry this week provided they can sell Xabi Alonso to Juventus. www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2008/jun/03/olympicgames2008.premierleague Barry apparently has misgivings over moving to LFC because of "the chaotic aspect of Liverpool's summer dealings" & "the extent to which Benitez has alienated O'Neill", although there are no quotes from the player/his agent etc to back this up. www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/barry-flattered-by-benitez-interest-838915.html Peter Crouch is prepared to see out the final 12 months of his contract unless Liverpool lower their £15m valuation of him, which is proving prohibitive in any move. www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2008/jun/03/olympicgames2008.premierleague The BBC Gossip Column reports that according to the Daily Mirror, West Brom want to take Scott Carson on loan after Aston Villa were put off making a £6m move. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/g...ers/7432741.stm Apparently Mark Hughes will try to sign reported Liverpool target David Bentley for Manchester City if he becomes manager there. www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/2008/06/03/mark-hughes-to-take-santa-cruz-and-bentley-to-man-city-89520-20593225/

From this morning's Liverpool Daily Post.... "Pompey were initially hoping to get the 27-year-old for £8million but with Liverpool ready to back down from their £15m valuation for fear of Crouch seeing out the remaining year of his contract then being able to leave on a free, negotiations between the clubs are imminent.....Benitez would ideally like to keep Crouch and has offered him a new deal but has previously intimated that he might not be able to give him the reassurances he wants regarding his future role in the squad." Link

Here's some transfer talk from the papers from yesterday & today... Newcastle are going to bid £8m for Peter Crouch www.people.co.uk/sport/football/tm_headline=toon-to-stun-pompey-with-crouch-bid%26method=full%26objectid=20591129%26siteid=93463-name_page.html Crouch has said he has spoken to Rafa & told him he wants to play more games next season www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11669_3637030,00.html Crouch has also reportedly told Rafa he is prepared to see out the remaining year of his contract & then leave for nothing www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1023508/Crouch-calls-Benitezs-bluff-bid-secure-cut-price-away-Liverpool.html Liverpool are poised with a bid of £12m for Blackburn's David Bentley & are favourites to sign him ahead of Chelsea, who are waiting to appoint their new manager first, & Spurs who will offer a £7m plus players deal. www.people.co.uk/sport/football/tm_headline=david-chase%26method=full%26objectid=20591204%26siteid=93463-name_page.html Cardiff's Aaron Ramsey will join either Liverpool, Arsenal or Man Utd in the next few weeks & will return to Cardiff on loan next season. www.sundaymirror.co.uk/sport/football/2008/06/01/whizz-kid-ramsey-on-move-98487-20591021/ John Arne Riise will join Roma for £5m. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/g...ers/7430633.stm

From Sky Sports website... Redknapp was quick to play down rumours that Liverpool striker Peter Crouch is set for a return to Fratton Park. "I haven't spoken to Peter," he revealed. "I haven't had any conversations with anyone at Liverpool so there's definitely been no contact." The former West Ham boss is understood to be unwilling to shell out £15million for the England international, but admitted that a figure around the £10million mark may tempt him into a move. "That's getting more interesting," he added. www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11669_3632378,00.html

The Liverpool Daily Post this morning says that Real Madrid are poised to enter the race to sign Xabi Alonso, who "is believed to be holding out for a return to his homeland for his young family". The Post says Xabi's agent has stressed that no decision will be made until after Euro2008. The article also says Charles Itandje is attracting interest from Portsmouth, former club Lens & Rennes. www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2008/05/31/chance-of-real-move-for-alonso-64375-21002379/

From this morning's Times... Gareth Barry "informed Villa of his wish to join Liverpool at a meeting a fortnight ago, but O’Neill continues to cling to the hope that he and Randy Lerner can persuade him to stay". Villa "rejected another informal offer from Liverpool over the past ten days, though the expectation remains that a deal will be done". www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/article4036682.ece From yesterday's Mirror... Xabi Alonso is delaying completing his move to Juventus until after Euro 2008 because "he is determined to keep his options open, hoping for a switch back to his homeland". Also "Liverpool are expected to do a deal with Aston Villa's Gareth Barry next week". www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/2008/05/30/xabi-alonso-delays-juventus-move-89520-20588779/

Update to BBC Gossip Column.... The agent of Espanyol midfielder Albert Riera says there is no truth in the reports that Liverpool have made a bid for his player. (BBC Sport, 1535 BST) http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/g...ers/7426938.stm

Also in the same article, Dossena remains Rafa’s 1st choice signing for left back and "although a fee is still to be agreed negotiations are progressing and the Italian international is believed to be keen on a move to Anfield". & "Despite speculation, Liverpool have not made a £9.5m offer to Espanyol for Spanish left winger Albert Riera. The former Man City man continues to interest Benitez but no formal bid has been lodged."

Transfer stuff this morning.... Sky Sports website 1. Riise wants to know before pre-season whether he will be sold or not www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_3626400,00.html 2. Jermaine Defoe wants Peter Crouch to join him at Portsmouth www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_3627764,00.html The Independent Xabi Alonso's agent Inaki Ibañez is reported to have agreed a four-year contract for the player with Juventus following talks with the Italian club this week. www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/transfer-news-and-speculation-30-may-836628.html The Daily Mirror Also reports that Ibañez has agreed "in principle" a four-year contract for Xabi with Juve. www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/2008/05/29/liverpool-star-xabi-alonso-off-to-juventus-for-16m-89520-20433088/ The Daily Telegraph Says that Alonso himself "was reported to be in Turin holding talks with Juventus yesterday", but this is unlikely as Spain are playing tomorrow night as part of their Euro2008 preparation & is probably a case of mistakenly saying it was Xabi rather than his agent. www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?view=DETAILS&grid=A1YourView&xml=/sport/2008/05/30/sfnliv130.xml The Times Gareth Barry's switch to Liverpool "is expected to become a reality, with Liverpool understood to be confident of landing Barry provided that a transfer fee can be agreed". www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/aston_villa/article4029397.ece

From the Sky Sports website.... Barry seeks O'Neill talks Villa skipper eager to discuss future next week Last updated: 29th May 2008 Gareth Barry is set to seek further discussions about his future at Aston Villa next week. The Villa skipper is a £12million-rated target of Liverpool as manager Rafa Benitez attempts to strengthen his squad for a Premier League title tilt next season. Villa boss Martin O'Neill has been angered by Benitez's approach for Barry and, accompanied by club chairman Randy Lerner, has already held one meeting with the 27-year-old in an attempt to convince him to stay in the Midlands. However, Barry - who was a second half substitute in England's 2-0 victory over USA at Wembley on Wednesday - is eager for further discussions with O'Neill after Sunday's international friendly against Trinidad & Tobago in Port of Spain. Big club "Will I be at Villa next season? That is something I've been speaking to the manager and chairman about. We've already had one meeting," said Barry. "My idea was to get these two games (USA and Trinidad & Tobago) out of the way and I am sure we will be speaking again soon. "Any sort of interest by a big club is flattering but I am still an Aston Villa player, I've got two years left of my contract and until some sort of bid is accepted, or the manager tells me otherwise, there is no decision to make. "No decision has been made because no bid has been accepted." www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12010_3623785,00.html

From the Telegraph.... Peter Crouch, who is thought to be one of the player Benitez is prepared to allow to leave Anfield this year as the manager seeks to raise funds for new players, has decided to see out the final year of his contract at Liverpool. The England striker, who will be able to leave for free next year, has been shocked by the £15 million price-tag put on him. The Star reports a source close to Crouch as saying: "Peter's been treated appallingly by Benitez. "First there's been the lack of games, then Benitez claiming Peter had been offered a new contract. "Now comes this £15 million price-tag, which is ridiculous. The best option is to see out his last year at Liverpool and then go for nothing." www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?view=DETAILS&grid=A1YourView&xml=/sport/2008/05/28/ufnparry128.xml

plonker, tw*t, kn*b etc well you did ask for it :shake:

Where's Johnny posting nowadays HG?

Rafa considering sending Adam Hamill on loan for another season www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11781_3621487,00.html

Transfer news from the papers this morning... Daily Mirror Andrea Dossena expected to join Liverpool By David Maddock 28/05/2008 Andrea Dossena is expected to join Liverpool this week, as the English club close in on an £8million deal for the Italian defender. Boss Rafa Benitez wants to make the left-back, 26, his second capture of what he warns will be a busy summer. Negotiations are at an advanced stage, with Liverpool so far offering £7m. The Italian's club, Udinese, are holding out for £8m but director of football Pietro Leonardi confirmed talks will resume this week. He said: "We will continue to talkwith Liverpool this week, but so far nothing has been done." Link Liverpool Daily Post Philipp Degen "faces competition from other potential targets manager Rafael Benitez has in mind to strengthen the flanks". Link The Independent "Bruno Alves Liverpool, Aston Villa, Manchester City and Newcastle are all looking at the Portuguese international central defender – but his club, Porto, are demanding far in excess of the £10m fee that has been mooted for the 26-year-old and have told interested clubs they want closer to double that amount." Link BBC gossip column "Liverpool hope to complete the signing of Italian full-back Andrea Dossena this week for £6m, but competition from Fiorentina and Juventus could push the price up to £8m. (Various)" Link

Latest on David Bentley, who said yesterday he hasn't signed the new contract on offer from Blackburn.... From the Independent... "Liverpool [are] making the early running for his signature having decided upon Bentley as a replacement for right-winger Jermaine Pennant who has been put up for sale by Rafael Benitez and offered to both Aston Villa and Newcastle United." Link While the Guardian says our interest in him has "waned" Link

Tom Hicks has responded to the Torres to Chelsea story.... From his spokesman... “It is simply beyond comprehension. There is no circumstance in which Torres will be sold. “Why would the owners invest so much money in supporting the manager, to then undermine that support? It is ludicrous.” Link And... "But Hicks told The Daily Telegraph in an email yesterday that no amount of money could persuade them to part company with Torres. "We would never consider it," he said. When asked whether he believed Chelsea were using the Torres story to deflect attention from the fall-out from Grant's sacking and to destabilise a rival, he replied, "absolutely". Link