Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Benitez Targets Baines


Liverpool are being linked with a move for Leighton Baines if they fail to land Gabriel Heinze.

The Wigan left-back is their back-up option, according to the Daily Mirror, who also claim that the Reds have finally worked out that they need cover for Jamie Carragher and Daniel Agger at centre-half.

Baines has already turned down a move to Sunderland, while Everton have had a bid of £4m plus a player turned down.

The Mirror also claims that Benitez is still looking for a wide player and although he would 'love' to sign Arjen Robben, he looks set to join Real Madrid.

Liverpool Not Stopped Spending Yet




Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry has suggested that the Reds’ summer transfer splurge has not ended yet.

Manager Rafa Benitez has already splashed out around £40million on several new players including Ryan Babel, Fernando Torres and Yossi Benayoun, but according to Parry, more money could be spent.

Speculation continues over whether Benitez will be able to lure United full-back Gabriel Heinze to Anfield with a big cash offer and Parry refuses to rule out further signings this summer.

Manchester United and Tottenham have both spent big bucks this summer and in a change of tact, Chelsea have been fortifying their squad with free transfers, perhaps having learnt last summer with the signings of Shevchenko and Ballack that big cash doesn’t always guarantee big success.

There is still a month to go until the August transfer window closes, ample time to reconfigure the squad further if Benitez so wants.

"A lot of clubs have spent significant amounts of money this summer, like Manchester United, Tottenham and Chelsea," Parry told the club's official website.

"Then there are a number of other clubs who have recently also had new investors, such as Newcastle, and there's still a long way to go before the end of the transfer window.

"If a player becomes available and he's the right player for this club then yes, we will be interested."

"There's always a lot expectation but there's definitely a special buzz about the upcoming season," added Parry.

"We're all excited with the new signings we've made and genuinely happy with what we've done.

"It was important to get them in as early as possible so that Rafa could have more time working with them. Bringing players in on the last day of the transfer window is never ideal.

"It was good for our new players to have been involved in the training camp out in Switzerland and then in Hong Kong."