Rafael Benitez is tracking Brazilian striker Afonso Alves as he contemplates another spending spree in the January transfer window.
Alves is one of several names under consideration by the Liverpool manager, who can expect further backing from the club’s co-owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks.
And Benitez’s interest would suggest Peter Crouch is heading for an Anfield exit in the new year.
Alves is one of the most sought-after forwards in Europe and scored an incredible seven times for Dutch club Heerenveen on Sunday in their 9-0 victory over Eredivisie rivals Heracles Almelo.
The 26-year-old forward cost Heerenveen a club record £3million when arriving from Malmo ahead of last season, and went on to score 34 goals in 31 league games before being named Holland’s player of the year.
Alves, who has seven caps for Brazil, was a target for Middlesbrough during the close season and would cost in the region of £8m.
Benitez is also thought to still be monitoring another Brazilian, Roma’s stepover king Alessandro Mancini.
The Liverpool manager ruled out a move for the left winger during the summer, but is aware Mancini has fallen out with Roma coach Luciano Spalletti and is reportedly seeking a move in January.
Lyon are favourites to sign the player but Liverpool would be able to offer a better package to the 27-year-old.
PSG defender Bernard Mendy is another player on Benitez’s list of possibilities. The 26-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and would be available in January for a small fee.
Mendy, who spent the 2002-03 campaign on loan at Bolton Wanderers, operates on the right side of defence.
Meanwhile, Dirk Kuyt has handed Liverpool an early derby injury scare after pulling out of Holland’s squad for their forthcoming Euro 2008 qualifiers against Romania and Slovenia.
Kuyt has remained at Melwood to undergo treatment on a hamstring strain suffered during the 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
The Dutch striker will definitely miss Saturday’s away game against Romania.
But while Holland have not ruled the forward out of the home game with Slovenia the following Wednesday, it is thought unlikely Kuyt will have recovered in time to play.
Alves is one of several names under consideration by the Liverpool manager, who can expect further backing from the club’s co-owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks.
And Benitez’s interest would suggest Peter Crouch is heading for an Anfield exit in the new year.
Alves is one of the most sought-after forwards in Europe and scored an incredible seven times for Dutch club Heerenveen on Sunday in their 9-0 victory over Eredivisie rivals Heracles Almelo.
The 26-year-old forward cost Heerenveen a club record £3million when arriving from Malmo ahead of last season, and went on to score 34 goals in 31 league games before being named Holland’s player of the year.
Alves, who has seven caps for Brazil, was a target for Middlesbrough during the close season and would cost in the region of £8m.
Benitez is also thought to still be monitoring another Brazilian, Roma’s stepover king Alessandro Mancini.
The Liverpool manager ruled out a move for the left winger during the summer, but is aware Mancini has fallen out with Roma coach Luciano Spalletti and is reportedly seeking a move in January.
Lyon are favourites to sign the player but Liverpool would be able to offer a better package to the 27-year-old.
PSG defender Bernard Mendy is another player on Benitez’s list of possibilities. The 26-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and would be available in January for a small fee.
Mendy, who spent the 2002-03 campaign on loan at Bolton Wanderers, operates on the right side of defence.
Meanwhile, Dirk Kuyt has handed Liverpool an early derby injury scare after pulling out of Holland’s squad for their forthcoming Euro 2008 qualifiers against Romania and Slovenia.
Kuyt has remained at Melwood to undergo treatment on a hamstring strain suffered during the 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
The Dutch striker will definitely miss Saturday’s away game against Romania.
But while Holland have not ruled the forward out of the home game with Slovenia the following Wednesday, it is thought unlikely Kuyt will have recovered in time to play.
No comments:
Post a Comment