Saturday, July 17, 2010

Danijel Pranjic: ‘Dream Club’ Liverpool Back In For Flying Croat Left-Back

Reports in the German and Croatian press are gathering pace regarding a move to Liverpool for Danijel Pranjic this summer. The Bayern Munich star was a reported target for the Reds last summer prior to his move to the Bundesliga but after struggling for a game, Roy Hodgson is expected to test the Champions League runners-up resolve to keep the Croatian international.

The former Heerenveen star spoke out before his move to Bayern Munich regarding the increased speculation over interest from Liverpool and his comments suggest he would welcome a move to Anfield.

The Croat told Omroep Friesland when questioned about Liverpool interest, “I still don’t know, that is a difficult question to answer.”

“I have to wait until the transfer period and then I will see.

“In every newspaper they called me and I was live on television and they heard something about Liverpool but I cannot say anything about it.

“It was in the newspaper that is all I know. Yes of course [it would be a dream club].”

Despite Bayern Munich’s fantastic 2009/10 season, Pranjic was not a first choice in the side and lost his place at left-back to German World Cup star Holger Badstuber for much of the campaign. The Croatian made 20 league appearances but only started 14 games, he is thought to be frustrated but knows that after Fabio Aurelio and Emiliano Insua’s departure from Liverpool, he would be first choice to fill in at left-back.

The 28-year-old previously played Dutch outfit Heerenveen in the Eredivisie where he spent 4 seasons. He is able to perform any left-sided role and enjoyed a superb campaign in Holland in the 1998/99 season after scoring an impressive 9 goals in 33 League appearances. Pranjic has bettered that total this season with 16 goals in 29 League appearances which prompted interest from Liverpool and ultimately his move to Bayern. His overall League record for the club reads 32 goals in 129 (all starts) games. Roy Hodgson is keen to bring in not only experience but also quality into his squad and with funds limited, a £6m bid could bring the highly versatile player to Anfield.

Pranjic is an experienced international with 30 caps for Croatia and his ability to play left-back, left-midfield and central midfield would be a huge boost for Liverpool. He is pacy, an excellent crosser and has a keen eye for goal which would surely make him a fans favourite in no time. The player has spoken positively of his future at Bayern but his agent is thought to be seeking a move at the earliest opportunity with Liverpool heading the queue. The Reds only just missed out on the player last summer but it would seem Pranjic’s move to his ‘dream club’ could be back on. He said, “I’m not expecting to be in the team at the start of the season. But I’ll try to take my chance when it comes.”

Croatians have proved to be a big success in the Premier League so it would not be a surprise if Liverpool sealed a move for Pranjic to join his compatriots in England next season.

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