Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez admitted today that his £17m capture of Glen Johnson was more than he wanted to spend on a full-back.
But he also revealed that the huge outlay does not signal the end of his summer spending.
With Chelsea also willing to pay Portsmouth’s asking price for the England defender, Benitez admitted: “Sometimes you have to spend a little bit more.
“You can’t compete in the top four of the Premier League unless you spend some money.
“We were looking for a player of quality and also somebody who is British because of the new Champions League rules.
“Glen Johnson fits both categories.”
The player has agreed a deal with the Reds and is expected to formally put pen to paper in the next 48 hours.
And he may not be the last new face at Anfield this summer.
“We have a plan,” added Benitez. “We can sign one more player if necessary, but that’s without any players leaving.”
Benitez is bracing himself for a bid from Real Madrid for Alvaro Arbeloa. but he is also concerned by the increasing speculation surrounding midfielders Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano.
The Reds boss has made it clear that he would not welcome bids for either player, but while Real have publicly stated their interest in Alonso has ended, Barcelona are refusing to give up on Mascherano despite Benitez’s very firm hands-off warning.
First to leave, however, could be Arbeloa.
“Alvaro Arbeloa has had a very good season but he has one year left on his contract,” said the Reds boss. “If he signs that will be good because we will have more competition, but if we get a good offer we will have to consider it.”
Benitez is also hoping that on-loan players Sebastien Leto and Andriy Voronin could bring in more transfer funds, while a return to Italy for Andrea Dossena is also on the cards.
The Reds also completed the signing of two junior players yesterday.
Spanish press reported the signing of 15-year-old Jesus Joaquin Fernandez from Cadiz.
The Reds are said to have beaten off competition from Barcelona, Real Madrid, Sevilla and Villarreal for the midfielder’s services.
Liverpool have also sealed the signing of teenage striker Aaron King from Rushden and Diamonds.
King, 16, impressed during a recent trial period at Anfield and has now signed a two-year scholarship agreement.
“We are all absolutely thrilled for Aaron – this is a brilliant achievement for everyone involved in his development throughout the five years that he has been with us,” Rushden’s head of youth development Paul Driver said.
But he also revealed that the huge outlay does not signal the end of his summer spending.
With Chelsea also willing to pay Portsmouth’s asking price for the England defender, Benitez admitted: “Sometimes you have to spend a little bit more.
“You can’t compete in the top four of the Premier League unless you spend some money.
“We were looking for a player of quality and also somebody who is British because of the new Champions League rules.
“Glen Johnson fits both categories.”
The player has agreed a deal with the Reds and is expected to formally put pen to paper in the next 48 hours.
And he may not be the last new face at Anfield this summer.
“We have a plan,” added Benitez. “We can sign one more player if necessary, but that’s without any players leaving.”
Benitez is bracing himself for a bid from Real Madrid for Alvaro Arbeloa. but he is also concerned by the increasing speculation surrounding midfielders Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano.
The Reds boss has made it clear that he would not welcome bids for either player, but while Real have publicly stated their interest in Alonso has ended, Barcelona are refusing to give up on Mascherano despite Benitez’s very firm hands-off warning.
First to leave, however, could be Arbeloa.
“Alvaro Arbeloa has had a very good season but he has one year left on his contract,” said the Reds boss. “If he signs that will be good because we will have more competition, but if we get a good offer we will have to consider it.”
Benitez is also hoping that on-loan players Sebastien Leto and Andriy Voronin could bring in more transfer funds, while a return to Italy for Andrea Dossena is also on the cards.
The Reds also completed the signing of two junior players yesterday.
Spanish press reported the signing of 15-year-old Jesus Joaquin Fernandez from Cadiz.
The Reds are said to have beaten off competition from Barcelona, Real Madrid, Sevilla and Villarreal for the midfielder’s services.
Liverpool have also sealed the signing of teenage striker Aaron King from Rushden and Diamonds.
King, 16, impressed during a recent trial period at Anfield and has now signed a two-year scholarship agreement.
“We are all absolutely thrilled for Aaron – this is a brilliant achievement for everyone involved in his development throughout the five years that he has been with us,” Rushden’s head of youth development Paul Driver said.
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