Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Benitez`s Modest Budget Won't Be Cut


Rafa Benitez has reportedly been assured that his transfer budget will not be affected by the losses suffered by Tom Hicks and George Gillett since their takeover of Liverpool - but any euphoria at the news will be quelled by suggestions that the Spaniard has relatively little money to spend this summer.

The first set of accounts published since the Americans arrived last year reported a loss of £33million in the year ending July 2007.

However, according to The Guardian, 'Despite these ominous figures, has been assured his transfer budget will not be reduced'. But the sting in the tale is that 'Spaniard's spending rests heavily on the amount raised through player sales this summer and the budget 'is understood to be far from what the manager would like'.

This suspicion is borne out by fresh reports linking Pool with Middlesbrough's Stewart Downing - hardly the type of high-calibre player the club require to produce their long-anticipated title bid.

According to the Daily Mirror, 'Benitez has been a longtime admirer of Downing and considers that he can play not just in the wide left role, but also in a more central position.

'He is prepared to bid around £12m for the England international.'

No comments: