Have we missed out again on our real tranfer target?

[Toni]

link

 

He is now the most expensive defender to sign for Liverpool. Do you think he can handle that pressure because he is a young player?

 

For me the price is not the key. When you talk about the market now the prices for players are crazy. We were checking centre backs. One who was 18-years-old, the other was 21 years old and another one 23/24. The price was 14 million euros for one, 16 million euros for another one and the third one was 20 million euros, so the market is crazy. We have signed a good player at the right price. Martin is 23 and he is a player for the present and the future. We are building a better squad than we've had before and also one with a lot of young players than can be the spine of the team in the future.

 

 

 

link

Liverpool are said to be close to signing Racing Santander centre-back Ezequiel Garay for a fee believed to be in the region of £10 million.

 

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is keen to add to his defensive options and Garay is said to be Benitez' next target. Benitez recently signed defender Martin Skrtel from Zenit St Petersburg and this clearly shows Benitez' intentions.

 

The Argentine international is apparently keen on a move to the Premier League and it seems as though Liverpool are close to offer Garay his dream move. Garay joined Santander back in 2005 from Newell's Old Boys and has shone ever since.

 

I have only seen Garay once or twice and he looks very good and capable of playing for a top side like Liverpool. If Liverpool are to sign Garay it could spell the end for Sami Hyypia at Anfield and I'm sure a lot of Liverpool fans will be sad to see him leave.

 

 

Posted by Cathal Breathnach at 9:14 PM

 

 

 

 

Was Garay rafa s prime target and we shyed out again due to his price tag. Or are we buying both? I find it hard to beieve we will spending another 10 mill on a defender.

[RafaShanks]

We're not buying Garay now.

 

Racing want El Zhar and Leto on loan and we want first option on Garay.

 

Reported in Marca yesterday:

 

http://www.marca.com/edicion/marca/futbol/...lo/1077274.html

[Euphrates]

We're not buying Garay now.

 

Racing want El Zhar and Leto on loan and we want first option on Garay.

 

Reported in Marca yesterday:

 

http://www.marca.com/edicion/marca/futbol/...lo/1077274.html

I know he's got limited time so far, but does anyone rate El Zhar?

[Guest Sabre]

I know he's got limited time so far, but does anyone rate El Zhar?

 

Not really. I'd compare him to someone like Aaron Lennon and he's not as good...

[Falconhoof]

I know he's got limited time so far, but does anyone rate El Zhar?

 

I'd never seriously judge a young player on so little playing time. I'm not sure either of the value in sending players to play a different style of football at a different tempo. Its no education for playing in this league.

[alias75]

Lets be brutally honest Sami is on his last legs and Carragher is probably on the way down too. We now have Agger and hopefully Skrtel who can be first team players for the next 5 years but it wouldnt surprise me if we signed Garay too, havent seen much of Skrtel but Agger and Garay are both very good on the ball.

 

That could be the 4 centre backs with Carrgher filling the Hyppia role and not playing every week to extend his career. Then maybe by the time Carragher is in his mid 30's someone like Hobbs can step up.

[Magic8Ball]

Lets be brutally honest Sami is on his last legs and Carragher is probably on the way down too. We now have Agger and hopefully Skrtel who can be first team players for the next 5 years but it wouldnt surprise me if we signed Garay too, havent seen much of Skrtel but Agger and Garay are both very good on the ball.

 

That could be the 4 centre backs with Carrgher filling the Hyppia role and not playing every week to extend his career. Then maybe by the time Carragher is in his mid 30's someone like Hobbs can step up.

sounds like a great plan, especially with Hobbs being given time.

[Sion]

Lets be brutally honest Sami is on his last legs and Carragher is probably on the way down too. We now have Agger and hopefully Skrtel who can be first team players for the next 5 years but it wouldnt surprise me if we signed Garay too, havent seen much of Skrtel but Agger and Garay are both very good on the ball.

 

That could be the 4 centre backs with Carrgher filling the Hyppia role and not playing every week to extend his career. Then maybe by the time Carragher is in his mid 30's someone like Hobbs can step up.

Add to that Garay and Agger can fill in at FB, and it's a top plan.

[Tyler]

how good is el zhar

haven't seen much of him to be honest

 

sounds like he is rated highly by this if true and he is only one of our younger players currently being given a go in the first team (squad) apart from hobbs

[Euphrates]

how good is el zhar

haven't seen much of him to be honest

 

sounds like he is rated highly by this if true and he is only one of our younger players currently being given a go in the first team (squad) apart from hobbs

The reason I asked is based on what I've seen I'd get rid. But that's tempered by the fact that what I've seen has always only been about 10 minutes at the end of games when we're desperate and he just happened to be on the bench (probably in expectation of giving him a run out after we'd wrapped up the game).

[alias75]

The reason I asked is based on what I've seen I'd get rid. But that's tempered by the fact that what I've seen has always only been about 10 minutes at the end of games when we're desperate and he just happened to be on the bench (probably in expectation of giving him a run out after we'd wrapped up the game).

 

Hes not good enough for us but i think hes one of those players we have that could go out on loan and do well maybe in the championship or lower PL level and make us a few million.

[New York Red]

I believe I was the first one to point out on here how good Garay was. He's exceptional. I'd be absolutely made up if we signed him.

 

We'll regret it in the future if we don't.

[Kvarme Ate My Food]

I believe I was the first one to point out on here how good Garay was.

 

well done you

[Euphrates]

I believe I was the first one to point out on here how good Garay was. He's exceptional. I'd be absolutely made up if we signed him.

 

We'll regret it in the future if we don't.

It seems to be about all you do now! I half expect Garay will pop in the gennie too any day now. Does he have anything to say about the Roadmap?

Edited January 13, 2008 by Euphrates

[New York Red]

It seems to be about all you do now! I half expect Garay will pop in the gennie too any day now. Does he have anything to say about the Roadmap?

 

Yep. He's got the solution. That's the problem though. Football or world politics? He's excellent at both.

 

And only 19...

[Stevie H]

south american centre backs don't have a great record in the english league. it usually seems to manic a style of football for them. so there's no guarantee at all that garay would cope.

[floyd]

link

 

We are building a better squad than we've had before

Their in lies a problem. Squad players being bought rather than top quality first team players.

[psl]

I believe I was the first one to point out on here how good Garay was. He's exceptional. I'd be absolutely made up if we signed him.

 

We'll regret it in the future if we don't.

 

Yes mate, I wish you'd shut up about him.

[New York Red]

south american centre backs don't have a great record in the english league. it usually seems to manic a style of football for them. so there's no guarantee at all that garay would cope.

 

A very valid point.

 

What makes me like this guy though is his combination of size, speed and ball control. He looks like a real footballer and an excellent athlete. He sort of reminds me of Rio Ferdinand but I really think he could be much better.

[New York Red]

Yes mate, I wish you'd shut up about him.

 

I think that if I, personally, keep going on and on about him, we have a better chance of signing him.

 

It's the power of thought.

Edited January 13, 2008 by New York Red

[Magic8Ball]

Their in lies a problem. Squad players being bought rather than top quality first team players.

Rafa needs to stop playing safe. Moores is not in charge anymore. its time to reduce the squad and buy better quality players - while blooding the youngsters. It's the only way to catch up