Liverpool Summer Targets

Liverpool Summer Targets

After reading Redneck’s article relating to the sale of players and with the likelihood of a clearance of all dead wood in the summer, it looks like some fresh new faces are being hunted by Rafa and Co to revitalise the squad to start another attack on all fronts in the 2008 / 2009 season, below are the details of the possible new signings (if the funds are available that is!) that may be pursued:-

David Villa (Striker, Valencia) – Also known as the Kid, so Fernando had better watch out. Very well known for his goals and accuracy, Villa would be a great addition to the squad. The price tag would be in the region of £25-30m, which may be a stumbling block. However, he would be a great partner for El Nino up top next season.

David Silva (Winger, Valencia) – Another Valencia player that Rafa has shown an interest in, another high price tag but at the age of only 22, the young Argentinean would fit in very nicely on the left wing in place of the departing Harry Kewell.

Matias Fernandez (Winger, Villareal) – Another very tricky young player currently plying his trade in La Liga, Matias is a Chilean midfielder with Villareal and is a playmaker and a great dribbler so would be another great option if Rafa was given the funds to trigger the buy-out clause in his contract of 50m Euros.

Stephane M’bia (Midfielder, Rennes) – A defensive midfielder from Cameroon, currently playing for Rennes in France is fresh from a great African Cup of Nations and has many high-profile clubs keeping an eye on him.

Thierry Henry (Striker, Barcelona) – What introduction does he need? After a torrid time in Spain, Thierry may want to return to the league where he made his name and it is said that he is a close friend of our skipper. The 30 year old Frenchman would be a great signing and with him and Torres up front, surely some silverware would be ours next season!

Oscar Trejo (Striker, Mallorca) – Aged just 19, the former Boca Juniors player has caught the eye of many big name clubs around Europe, and Rafa is reported to be lining up an £8m bid in the Summer.

Sergio Garcia (Striker, Zaragoza) – No, not the golfer, but Real Zaragoza’s pony-tailed former Barcelona striker, another great prospect any a brilliant striker of the ball. Has proved himself at the top level of Spanish football for the past 4 seasons.

Rafinha (Defender, Schalke) - Márcio Rafael Ferreira de Souza, also known as ‘Rafinha’ is another player to be linked to a move to the reds in the summer, after 5 years in the Brazilian league he signed for Schalke in 2005 for 5m Euros and is a great attacking right-back as cover for Steve Finnan.

Mahamadou Diarra (Midfielder, Real Madrid) – The big Mali midfielder has impressed for Real Madrid, who appear to be open to offers with Rafa being amongst the Mali international’s admirers. With a great work rate and a very powerful frame, Diarra would shore up our midfield and would help Javier and Xabi take the mantel off Stevie G in order for him to get forward more often.

Daniel Opare (Midfielder, Ashanti Gold) – With a rumoured move to Real Madrid looming, the Ghanaian midfielder is also reported to be interested in a move to the Premiership. At age 17, he is already seen as a great prospect for the future and has already played for the national team. A fee of £2m is reportedly the asking price from the player’s Ghanaian club which should be well within Rafa’s spending limitations…

So it’s a case of watch this space until the end of the season with plenty more speculation to come, but the next step of the Rafa-lution should be very interesting coming into the 2008-2009 season!

By kirky12tk
(March 19, 2008)

Comments (28) · Related · Tools

Lance on March 19th, 2008 11:51 am

Yup article sounds about right to me. I doubt very much Quaresma is in the frame, I just don’t believe he’ll cut it in England, plus Rafa likes players with “good mentality”- not ball hogging sulkers(In my humble opinion)…
I wonder where Henry is in the picture, I can see him playing 2-4 years in a Reds uniform and destroying other teams… Stevie G would be in heaven as would Babel. Our South American contengent would take pride in playing with him and Torres would have a great foil…
I’d personally prefer Henry to Villa, at least Henry is cheaper and would sell enough shirts to play his way, and he can pass…
Dani Alves would turn our team into a real contender although we’re still very light in the wing depatment…
I’d challenge you kirky to figure out the best wingers there are in the game that would best fit Rafa’s 4231 system. We’re letting Kewel go in the summer, leaving Babel on the left and Pennant and Benayoun on the right- seems void of one great player, I wonder who Rafa has in mind- please don’t say Quaresma!!!
Alan on March 19th, 2008 12:26 pm

One very good young talented english player has been left out of this list that i think could be an absolute legend at anfield. David Bentley could be bought for £10 - £12 mill and he is more than good enough to own that position on the right. He is good on the ball, great crosser of the ball, can finish, contributes goals and is only 23. Prooven he can operate in the premiership so not even a risk buy. He will only get better and it would be nice to see some bristish players coming in also.
Nilanjan on March 19th, 2008 12:43 pm

Opare has already signed for Real Madrid.
We won’t be buying Diarra as he is a DM where we have a lot of players.
Silva is Spanish ;)Anyway he wouldn’t come cheap as he has just been made the Vice-Captain of Valencia and he is too ligh-weight for the PL.
The Realistic ones from the list are:
1)Fernandez
2)Rafinha
3)Mbia
4)Oscar
Nilanjan on March 19th, 2008 12:45 pm

I’d challenge you kirky to figure out the best wingers there are in the game that would best fit Rafa’s 4231 system.
————————————————–

For That it would be : Jearemy Menez,Matias Fernandez
Sammy on March 19th, 2008 12:54 pm

Nice idea’s, but I can’t imagine us splashing out £30mil on Villa though, or that Silva (who’s Spanish- not Argentinean) will come to us for the same reason.

Henry will not leave after one season for us, he’s said this week he’s loving life in Barca.

I hope we get ‘the little Rafa,’ and I think he’s a very realistic possibility with £5mil being quoted- Dani Alves is well out of our price range now (thanks Rick Parry for refusing to cough up an extra £2mil for him not so long ago!)

Trejo’s name has been mentioned quite a lot, so wouldn’t be surprised if that’s a done deal, although I know nothing about the kid.

I’d love us to go after Jan-Klaas Huntelaar, I reckon he’d form an excellent partnership with Nando.

And I thought Opare agreed a deal to go to Real a month or so ago?
Disa on March 19th, 2008 12:56 pm

Quaresma is, simply put, the best pure winger in the world right now. His attitude problems come from the under achievement of his team. look at Stevie G when we are not playing well. Identical. He can play on the left or the right and has the frame to compete physically in the air with the best fullbacks, which I’m seeing as becoming more and more important in the premier league AND he can play as a second striker. If Rafa does not go for him I’m not sure who there is in England who can do that, and is available. maybe ashley young, but I think he is settled into a very good Villa team. On the Continent there many more, and I’ll trust Rafa will have done his Homework.

The need for a world class wide man notwithstanding, I think we need one more fullback. another one who isn’t bothered by playing at either fullback would be nice but they are rare(I love you Arbeloa!!!) Finnan is geting on and doesn’t look the part anymore, but I still love the guy so maybe one more season is in the offing. For any other deficiencies I’d like it, REALLY LOVE IT, if Rafa would actually play his younger players. Do what he did in his first season and play them exclusively in the Carling cup and bed them into the first team to cover for some of the older players. That is what liverpool used to be about, bringing through great young players AND making unheard of players household names. Rafa has one of the equation sorted, Now lets see more of our double youth cup winning team.

JUst two world class boys in and sell the dead wood, Voronin, Kewell, Finnan(Maybe), Hyypia(More of a Maybe) KEEP CROUCH as cover for Fernando.
James on March 19th, 2008 1:41 pm

Are you kidding me, Fernandez wouldnt be a good signing for 50m euro, he’s nowhere near that good.
Alan on March 19th, 2008 2:43 pm

DAVID BENTLEY!!!!
Arjun on March 19th, 2008 2:53 pm

What about Garay, Alves, Aguero? They’re three quality players who would steady the side.
James on March 19th, 2008 3:14 pm

I dont mind people writing an articvle like this,

But its really annoying when you mention David Sivla as argentinian, and Opare is a target who is already a Madrid player for next season…
Ben on March 19th, 2008 3:17 pm

I have a feeling we’ll try again to sign Quaresma after being priced out last summer. Which i wouldn’t be overly happy about - there’s a certain degree of humility about Torres that makes him a doubly good signing, which you wouldn’t get with Quaresma.

Personally i’d love Aguero, but like Silva and Villa he’d be very expensive, and Atletico have started to come good as well.

If we couldn’t lure a big player i’d be satisfied with Bentley. I wouldn’t touch Henry though - he’s a typical graceless Gooner, and well past his best.

Other than a right-winger we need one if not two full-backs really - Rafinha is an obvious one for right-back, but left will be a little harder to solve.
Ben on March 19th, 2008 3:19 pm

And Disa: Messi and Ronaldo are both easily better wingers than Quaresma.
Trisitan on March 19th, 2008 3:25 pm

You seem to list a lot of strikers and not too many wingers/wingbacks which is where we are light.

I think we need a new right back, left back, left wing and competition for the right wing.

I couldn’t help but notice not one of your suggested players was english - you may want to remember we are an english club.

Rumours that Spurs want to offload Lennon would be something that our club should be interested in he’s young, incredibly fast and I have no doubt can flourish under Rafa. Any fee up to £7m represents a bargain for him.

Also if we are to get rid of Kuyt and Voronin then we should hold onto Crouch, he’s a different creature to Torres and has a different impact on a game. Henry or Darren Bent if available would be players who can be a success at Anfield.

We don’t need central midfielders we have Gerrard, Alonso, Masher and I hope that Rafa sees sense and brings Guthrie back from Bolton on loan to take part in our campaign next year.

With Carra, Skrtel, Agger and Hobbs we have enough cover at centre back too.

I’m sure some fans will think I’ve lost my mind but I dont believe we need Reina. I’d be happy to see Scott Carson be installed as our No.1 with Itandje as cover. You have to look at Villa’s place in the table it’s hard to pretend that Carson hasn’t played his part in their overachieving.

In terms of a left winger I always regret that we never agreed to meet the asking price for Ashley Young you can see how devastating he has become since signing for Villa.
Nilanjan on March 19th, 2008 3:59 pm

DAVID BENTLEY!!!!

Don’t Joke
Nilanjan on March 19th, 2008 4:02 pm

Quaresma is, simply put, the best pure winger in the world right now.

Are YOu Serious there are much better wingers than him ala Joaquin,Ronaldo,Messi,Schweinsteiger,Vicente,Robben,Robinho how much do you want ? ? ?
kirky12tk on March 19th, 2008 5:06 pm

Just so you all know, these are only the players we are rumoured to be after!! If I had my way we’d be buying Eto’o and Robinho for next season!!
Dom on March 19th, 2008 6:05 pm

Any British players being lined up? They all sound good and a big step up on what we already have but with JC getting on a little we could soon be facing the prospect of Stevie as the only English player. A little embarrasing for me. I like the idea of Michael Johnson at City and Kenwynne Jones from Sunderland coming over (I know he’s from the Carribean).
steven on March 19th, 2008 6:09 pm

this is wrong. opare is a right back not a midfielder, and david silva is spanish not argentinian. at least get the info right first. i like these prospective signings apart from diarra, m’bia, and henry. we dont need another defensive midfielder (m’bia and diarra) and henry is injury prone and i don’t think we need another “star” striker who will want to play every single game.
rick on March 19th, 2008 6:32 pm

for me we need maybe five players in the summer,

left wing - silva/quaresma? and a cheaper back up - or play leto more if he’s up to it

right wing - bently/lennon? would both be great signings and keep pennant as competition for whoever comes in

left back - cheilleni (is that how you spell it?) is the only affordable left back off the top of my head that is good enough, we have to sell riise and keep aurelio who is good enough just a little injury prone,

right back - rafinha/m’bia(who can play right back) these are the only two we are rumoured of signing i would love rafinha to come he is a quality player, think its time we got rid of finnan he has been a great player for the club but he is just the wrong side of his peak for me

with that team i really think that we should be challenging for the title, obviously the strikers need to be sorted but for me the most important thing is to sort the wings (also the reason a left winger plus a back up is needed is becuase i think babel will be playing up fron next season)
red dawn on March 19th, 2008 6:52 pm

For me If Liverpool want to win the league they have to buy Villa,Quaresma or Messi,Alvez and Silva and possibly, possibly a new left back.Don’t tell me we can’t we can. The Americans or Dic will have to spend big. And remember we have quite a lot of crap to sell,Riise,kewell,itandje,pennant,crouch,voronin,carson my goodness the list is endless. We should also buy a decent reserve goalkeeper. what if reina gets injured what then.you tell me.
red dawn on March 19th, 2008 6:55 pm

Rafa knows I am right and the board will have to back him or he will leave. Rafa is a winner and is fed up of having to buy second best. Gosh when he bought did he buy well. Alonso, Skyrtel,Agger, Mascherano,Torres,Lucas,Reina. WOW. when they did not back him he had to sell players(crap ones) and buy we know who…
red dawn on March 19th, 2008 6:58 pm

And guyz for crying out loud stop being a bunch of Loosers. you amaze me you support Liverpool. Liverpool is all about winning and to win you have to buy the best. ask Keegan,Dalglish Beardsley, Barnes, Hansen they will tell you.you need the best to be the best.
Tubal Cain on March 19th, 2008 7:16 pm

Ashley Young
David Bentley
Garath Bale
Aaron Ramsey

Who are available for the right price and if you belive the red tops Joe Cole Aaron Lennon and even Walocot for the right swap
Tubal Cain on March 19th, 2008 7:18 pm

Ashley Young
Aaron Ramsey
David Bentley
Gareth Bale

4 young brits good enough to start
you could add
Joe Cole
Aaron Lennon and Theo walcott
Jon on March 19th, 2008 8:43 pm

I think if Liverpool and Rafa want to win the league they need to sign a decent left back, a good right back, another forward and left and right wingers. Who they will be is anyone’s guess.

I think Bentley would be a good signing with Peanut going the other way, also arron lennon.
the striker could be anyone knowing Rafa!
Thierry Henry or David Villa for me. I think we could talk about this all day long but it will all depend on how much Rafa is given to speand on players! That will dictate if he buys world class or second best.
Monte on March 20th, 2008 10:09 am

U r clueless!!!!!
David Silva Argentinean???? He played like 20 times for Spanish nat team, was borned there n for some reason u disaded that he should be Argentinean!?
red rog on March 20th, 2008 10:59 am

Ha ha, I love articles like this they brighten up my day. I’b be interested to know how many of the players mentioned have been watched week in and week out, compared to how many have been wathced on a few highlight clips or by the rating they have on computer games!

Year after year the same names get thrown about and 99.9% of them never happen.

Of all the names mentioned the only one that may have some merit is David Bentley, he also has something to offer that none of the others have..PL experience!
Ben on March 20th, 2008 8:51 pm

So did Craig Bellamy…