Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Top Three Kop Summer Targets


These are the men Liverpool want to usher in a new era under Kenny Dalglish at Anfield.

Liverpool's technical director Damien Comolli has targeted Lyon keeper Hugo Lloris, Paris St Germain centre-half Mamadou Sakho and Rennes midfielder Yann M'Vila.

All are French internationals and would cost the Reds between £45million and £55m.

Comolli has earmarked enforcer M'Vila to add steel to Liverpool's midfield, and the Reds, along with Bayern Munich, have stolen a march in the race to sign him.

M'Vila, 20, has attracted interest from all of Europe's big-hitters after breaking into Laurent Blanc's France team this season. Rennes will want at least £18m for their most prized asset.

The Reds will hope to finance the deal by recovering some of the £20m former boss Rafa Benitez wasted on flop Alberto Aquilani.

Aquilani has spent this season on loan at Juventus and although the Italians are keen to reduce the £13m agreed fee, Liverpool will need all of that money to help capture M'Vila.

Comolli was in Paris on Sunday to watch PSG's 1-0 win over Lyon and he ran the rule over both Sakho and Lloris.

The Reds have contacted Lloris, who is considered the best keeper in Europe outside of England, Spain or Italy. The move was a clear indication Liverpool fear they will lose unsettled Pepe Reina.

They received a positive response, although Lloris has to decide whether to sign a new deal at Lyon.

He has two years left on his current contract.

He would cost around £20m, which means Liverpool would spend the entire fee they receive on Reina to replace him.

Spain No 1 Reina has a £20m get-out clause and speculation has been rife that Alex Ferguson is interested.

Lloris has attracted interest from AC Milan, Bayern Munich as well as Arsenal and Fergie's Manchester United in the past.

Sakho has been a target for Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger but the Gunners were priced out of a move last season as Paris wanted £15m.

He has two caps for France and is considered to be the long-term replacement for William Gallas at the heart of Les Bleus' back line.

Sakho, 21, has recently signed a new three-year deal but Paris will listen to offers of around £15m if they fail to grab a Champions League spot.

They are fourth in Le Championnat, a point behind Lyon after beating them on Sunday.

Arsenal, Spurs and Borussia Dortmund are also trailing Sakho closely, but it is understood the Gunners are Liverpool's biggest rivals for the centre-half.

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