Liverpool are reportedly considering a surprise offer for Wigan Athletic midfielder Lee Cattermole if they end up selling either Xabi Alonso or Javier Mascherano this summer.
The Independent reports that the Reds are covering all bases in case one of their midfield linchpins decides to leave and they are setting their sights on Cattermole, who impressed for England’s Under-21 side in the recent European finals in Sweden.
Real Madrid have still not given up on signing Alonso, while European champions Barcelona are still said to be targeting a swoop for Argentina captain Mascherano.
Club boss Rafael Benitez recently insisted the two players are not for sale and are happy at the Anfield club, although the fact he is lining up potential replacements could mean he is yet to rule out a departure for one of the pair.
Cattermole will not be an easy target to land. Sunderland have already had a £7 million offer rejected for the former Middlesbrough player, while new Wigan manager Roberto Martinez had made it clear that the player is in his future plans.
Speaking earlier in the week, he said, "Lee is not for sale. End of story.
“He is a fantastic player, a leader on and off the field, and is central to our plans going forwards. We are not interested in selling him, which was why this offer [from Sunderland] was rejected immediately.
"It is not usually our style to discuss incoming or outgoing transfers until they are completed, but we have made an exception in this case because I feel so strongly about keeping Lee, along with all my best players. He is one of many talented players. Let's forget about this now and move on."
Liverpool, last season’s Premier League runners-up, did unveil one new signing this week, England defender Glen Johnson, who joined from Portsmouth for a reported fee of £17m.
The Independent reports that the Reds are covering all bases in case one of their midfield linchpins decides to leave and they are setting their sights on Cattermole, who impressed for England’s Under-21 side in the recent European finals in Sweden.
Real Madrid have still not given up on signing Alonso, while European champions Barcelona are still said to be targeting a swoop for Argentina captain Mascherano.
Club boss Rafael Benitez recently insisted the two players are not for sale and are happy at the Anfield club, although the fact he is lining up potential replacements could mean he is yet to rule out a departure for one of the pair.
Cattermole will not be an easy target to land. Sunderland have already had a £7 million offer rejected for the former Middlesbrough player, while new Wigan manager Roberto Martinez had made it clear that the player is in his future plans.
Speaking earlier in the week, he said, "Lee is not for sale. End of story.
“He is a fantastic player, a leader on and off the field, and is central to our plans going forwards. We are not interested in selling him, which was why this offer [from Sunderland] was rejected immediately.
"It is not usually our style to discuss incoming or outgoing transfers until they are completed, but we have made an exception in this case because I feel so strongly about keeping Lee, along with all my best players. He is one of many talented players. Let's forget about this now and move on."
Liverpool, last season’s Premier League runners-up, did unveil one new signing this week, England defender Glen Johnson, who joined from Portsmouth for a reported fee of £17m.
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