Rafael Benitez is contemplating a summer move for Valencia defender Raul Albiol – should Daniel Agger refuse to sign a new contract at Liverpool.
The Anfield manager has been assessing his centre-back options with Agger yet to commit his long-term future at the club.
And Spain international Albiol has emerged as a leading alternative, despite Valencia having slapped a prohibitive £18m price tag on the 23-year-old.
However, with his former employers a reported £400m in debt and desperate to raise funds, Benitez is confident the player could be captured for half the asking price.
While Valencia are desperate to hold on to crowd favourites David Villa and David Silva, the departure of Albiol would not cause a furore among the Mestalla faithful.
The defender was at Valencia while Benitez was in charge and climbed through the youth ranks under the guidance of Eduardo Macia, who is now chief scout at Anfield.
Benitez remains keen to keep Agger, but the longer the Dane’s new contract remains unsigned the less likely it is he will remain at Anfield beyond the summer, with his current deal expiring at the end of next season.
The Liverpool manager ended speculation over his own future by signing a new five-year deal, but Agger admits that will not affect his own decision.
“I’ll sign with the club, not with Benitez,” said Agger. “That’s something I must keep in mind.”
Italian duo AC Milan and Juventus are among several clubs tracking the Denmark international, who cost £5.6m from Brondby in January 2006.
Benitez continues to shape his squad for next season and is poised to offer Sami Hyypia a new 12-month deal in the summer after another impressive season from the 35-year-old.
And Jamie Carragher has hailed the Finland international veteran, who has proven an inspired signing since arriving from Willem II for £3m in May 1999.
“Sami’s been here nearly 10 years now and has always played a large portion of the season, hardly ever missing a game,” said Carragher.
“He rarely has a bad one either – and even on the times when he does, he never allows it to affect his form.
“He’s had his critics on a couple of occasions, but has always had the character to come through those periods.
“Top players always bounce back when they have suffered a knock – and Sami is one of those players.”
The Anfield manager has been assessing his centre-back options with Agger yet to commit his long-term future at the club.
And Spain international Albiol has emerged as a leading alternative, despite Valencia having slapped a prohibitive £18m price tag on the 23-year-old.
However, with his former employers a reported £400m in debt and desperate to raise funds, Benitez is confident the player could be captured for half the asking price.
While Valencia are desperate to hold on to crowd favourites David Villa and David Silva, the departure of Albiol would not cause a furore among the Mestalla faithful.
The defender was at Valencia while Benitez was in charge and climbed through the youth ranks under the guidance of Eduardo Macia, who is now chief scout at Anfield.
Benitez remains keen to keep Agger, but the longer the Dane’s new contract remains unsigned the less likely it is he will remain at Anfield beyond the summer, with his current deal expiring at the end of next season.
The Liverpool manager ended speculation over his own future by signing a new five-year deal, but Agger admits that will not affect his own decision.
“I’ll sign with the club, not with Benitez,” said Agger. “That’s something I must keep in mind.”
Italian duo AC Milan and Juventus are among several clubs tracking the Denmark international, who cost £5.6m from Brondby in January 2006.
Benitez continues to shape his squad for next season and is poised to offer Sami Hyypia a new 12-month deal in the summer after another impressive season from the 35-year-old.
And Jamie Carragher has hailed the Finland international veteran, who has proven an inspired signing since arriving from Willem II for £3m in May 1999.
“Sami’s been here nearly 10 years now and has always played a large portion of the season, hardly ever missing a game,” said Carragher.
“He rarely has a bad one either – and even on the times when he does, he never allows it to affect his form.
“He’s had his critics on a couple of occasions, but has always had the character to come through those periods.
“Top players always bounce back when they have suffered a knock – and Sami is one of those players.”
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