Rafael Benítez's transfer budget will not be reduced as a result of the alarming losses suffered by Liverpool's parent company, Kop Football (Holdings) Limited, though its limitations were exposed again when his main target, David Silva, opened talks on a proposed move to Real Madrid.
Kop's £42.6m losses for the year ending July 2008 raised not only accountants' fears for the company should Tom Hicks and George Gillett fail to secure a refinancing deal this July, but supporters' concerns for the impact on Liverpool's spending power. As was the case even before the Americans purchased Liverpool from David Moores, chairman and majority shareholder in 2007, the club has this year again budgeted for a net spend of £20m plus whatever the manager can raise through player sales. Liverpool have signed Albert Riera and other players since July 2008 – and are expected to spend around £40m in total again this summer.
Hicks and Gillett are acutely aware of the need for Champions League football each season, with its riches essential to the club's increasing turnover, but while Benítez's budget compares favourably with most Premier League clubs, Arsenal included, its static level highlights how others are leaving Liverpool trailing in this summer's market.
Liverpool expect to post another record turnover next year, following £164.2m this time round, on the back of their Premier League title challenge and run to the Champions League quarter-finals, yet Benítez is already in danger this summer of missing out on three of his transfer priorities. Gareth Barry, whom the Spaniard has pursued for 12 months, declined Benítez's advances on Monday in favour of Manchester City. The Abu Dhabi-backed club paid the £12m transfer fee up front to Aston Villa, whereas Liverpool intended to spread the payments over the course of a five-year contract, and Barry's salary, believed to be in excess of £100,000 a week at City, dwarfs what was on offer at Anfield.
Chelsea have now emerged as serious rivals for Benítez's interest in the Portsmouth right-back, Glen Johnson, but it is the prospect of losing Silva that will most perturb the Liverpool manager should Real seal a deal for the Valencia winger. Benítez has earmarked the Spain international as a marquee signing for this summer and the Liverpool chief scout, Eduardo Macia, who signed Silva for Valencia as a schoolboy, sounded out a possible move earlier this year. The Liverpool manager had hoped Valencia's financial problems would encourage a swift deal for approximately £17m for Silva but, with Real now entering the race, the price is likely to rise and leave Benítez waiting on sales before he can match their offer.
Silva's agent, Julio Llorente, met Real officials at the Bernabéu yesterday. "I do not know about anything that has happened because I have been at my home in Canary Islands and I have not spoken to my agent," Silva insisted. "Valencia should not worry, though. The fact that a team like Real Madrid is interested is good for Valencia and for me. For now, I am focused on the national team, I expect that everything will turn out well. It is an honour that a team like Real Madrid are interested, but for the time being, I am with Valencia."
Andrea Dossena, a £7m flop from Udinese last summer, has confirmed he may be among those sold to swell Benítez's budget. "I would run to Juve," the Italian defender said. "They showed an interest in me last year, but then Liverpool stepped in and wrapped things up in less than an hour. In England they play continuously and the hardest training session does not last more than 40 minutes, but I need to train longer. Now I truly hope to join Juve and start a new life."
Xabi Alonso, who could also leave depending on the offers he attracts, admitted Benítez's predicament is no surprise to the Liverpool players. "We were aware that the situation was difficult economically and that it could affect the planning of the team," he said. "But I don't know the full details and it is not my place to comment [on the club's finances]."
Kop's £42.6m losses for the year ending July 2008 raised not only accountants' fears for the company should Tom Hicks and George Gillett fail to secure a refinancing deal this July, but supporters' concerns for the impact on Liverpool's spending power. As was the case even before the Americans purchased Liverpool from David Moores, chairman and majority shareholder in 2007, the club has this year again budgeted for a net spend of £20m plus whatever the manager can raise through player sales. Liverpool have signed Albert Riera and other players since July 2008 – and are expected to spend around £40m in total again this summer.
Hicks and Gillett are acutely aware of the need for Champions League football each season, with its riches essential to the club's increasing turnover, but while Benítez's budget compares favourably with most Premier League clubs, Arsenal included, its static level highlights how others are leaving Liverpool trailing in this summer's market.
Liverpool expect to post another record turnover next year, following £164.2m this time round, on the back of their Premier League title challenge and run to the Champions League quarter-finals, yet Benítez is already in danger this summer of missing out on three of his transfer priorities. Gareth Barry, whom the Spaniard has pursued for 12 months, declined Benítez's advances on Monday in favour of Manchester City. The Abu Dhabi-backed club paid the £12m transfer fee up front to Aston Villa, whereas Liverpool intended to spread the payments over the course of a five-year contract, and Barry's salary, believed to be in excess of £100,000 a week at City, dwarfs what was on offer at Anfield.
Chelsea have now emerged as serious rivals for Benítez's interest in the Portsmouth right-back, Glen Johnson, but it is the prospect of losing Silva that will most perturb the Liverpool manager should Real seal a deal for the Valencia winger. Benítez has earmarked the Spain international as a marquee signing for this summer and the Liverpool chief scout, Eduardo Macia, who signed Silva for Valencia as a schoolboy, sounded out a possible move earlier this year. The Liverpool manager had hoped Valencia's financial problems would encourage a swift deal for approximately £17m for Silva but, with Real now entering the race, the price is likely to rise and leave Benítez waiting on sales before he can match their offer.
Silva's agent, Julio Llorente, met Real officials at the Bernabéu yesterday. "I do not know about anything that has happened because I have been at my home in Canary Islands and I have not spoken to my agent," Silva insisted. "Valencia should not worry, though. The fact that a team like Real Madrid is interested is good for Valencia and for me. For now, I am focused on the national team, I expect that everything will turn out well. It is an honour that a team like Real Madrid are interested, but for the time being, I am with Valencia."
Andrea Dossena, a £7m flop from Udinese last summer, has confirmed he may be among those sold to swell Benítez's budget. "I would run to Juve," the Italian defender said. "They showed an interest in me last year, but then Liverpool stepped in and wrapped things up in less than an hour. In England they play continuously and the hardest training session does not last more than 40 minutes, but I need to train longer. Now I truly hope to join Juve and start a new life."
Xabi Alonso, who could also leave depending on the offers he attracts, admitted Benítez's predicament is no surprise to the Liverpool players. "We were aware that the situation was difficult economically and that it could affect the planning of the team," he said. "But I don't know the full details and it is not my place to comment [on the club's finances]."
No comments:
Post a Comment