Liverpool Told To Pay £20m For Aston Villa Winger

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has been told to increase their valuation of Aston Villa winger Stewart Downing should they wish to acquire the players services during the summer transfer window.

The Merseysiders are keen to sign Downing having missed out on his Villa team-mate Ashley Young to rivals Manchester United.

The 26-year-old has been in impressive form since his move from Middlesbrough in 2009 and he currently has only two years left on his current deal at Villa Park.

Kop boss Dalglish and the Liverpool's director of football Damien Comolli are both keen admirers of Downing and feel the England international will be able to help take the club back into the Premiership's top four.

Liverpool has already spent £20million on Jordan Henderson from Sunderland and there are no signs in the Anfield spending spree coming to an end anytime soon.

According to reports in the Daily Mirror, Dalglish values Downing at £10m but Villa Park bosses have told Liverpool to stump up £20m for the England winger.

It is believed Liverpool will try to offload some of their fringe players including Joe Cole in order to raise funds and clear the wage bill for Downing.

Last season Downing made 44 appearance in all competitions for Aston Villa and scored eight goals.

Liverpool Miss Out On Monreal

Liverpool target Nacho Monreal is set to join Spain's new big-spenders Malaga.

The Osasuna left-back was linked with a move to Anfield in March after Paul Konchesky failed to settle on Merseyside following his move from Fulham.

The £5million defender, capped four times by the World Cup holders, will complete the switch on Wednesday if the 25-year-old passes a medical.

Malaga was bought by a member of the Qatari royal family last year and have ambitious plans for next season after splashing out for high-earning former Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Marko Marin Has Rejected Liverpool

Werder Bremen's Marko Marin has denied reports that he is set for a big move to the Premier League, and has insisted that he will stay in Germany for the time being.

The 22-year-old midfield sensation has been in fantastic form for both club and country, and has seen his stocks rise to new heights. However, it seems the youngster is set to remain in Germany.

Marin told Bild: "I want to stay at Werder. I feel good at Bremen. I have never had the urge to leave."

Bremen's poor season saw speculation mount about the attacker's future, but it appears that he only has eyes on staying in the Bundesliga.

"I want to be successful here, and that is my only aim," he added.

Marin's agent, Fali Ramadani, confirmed in the same publication that the midfielder turned down Liverpool, and hinted that his German side would not be willing to do business.

Ramadini said: "Marko rejected Liverpool. Werder hinted that they would not sell Marko at this time."

However, Marin himself admitted that if Werder Bremen were to sell him, he would have no choice but to leave. He stated: "If the club receives an offer and decides to sell me, which is another situation. Until then I am happy here."

Roma Keeper Doni Rejects Liverpool Switch

Roma goalkeeper Doni has snubbed a move to Liverpool, according to reports in Italy.

Liverpool had been linked with a move for their former keeper Brad Friedel before the American chose to join Tottenham.

The Reds turned their attentions to Brazilian stopper Doni, who has fallen down the pecking order at Roma this season, and it was reported that the Italian side had accepted a £1m bid from Liverpool.

But it has been reported that Doni has turned down the chance to join Liverpool because the Premier League side offered him less than his current deal at Roma.

The 31-year-old could now join Galatasaray if the Turkish side fails to land first-choice target Fernando Muslera from Lazio.

Park Chu-Young Puts Move To Liverpool Above Paris Saint-Germain And Lille

Korean forward Park Chu-Young has made a move to Liverpool a ‘priority’ over French sides Paris Saint-Germain or Lille, according to Goal.com.

Park’s current side Monaco have been relegated from Ligue 1, and while the captain scored 12 goals during the season and was the star of the French outfit, Park has made his intentions clear to move to a side that can offer European football.

"I would like to have new challenge in a stronger team capable of competing in bigger Europe-wide tournaments like the Champions League," Park recently said.

While Liverpool can’t offer European experience next season, the Merseyside club is certainly going in that direction, with some top signings including Andy Carroll, Luis Suarez and Jordan Henderson over the last five months, and the acquirement of Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish as permanent manager.

Dalglish has told reporters numerous times that he is set on taking Liverpool back to the glory of the 1980s. And Park is reportedly interested in being involved in the history-rich club as they make a confident push to challenge for trophies once more.

The star is said to be worth €6 million, and with sponsor Standard Charter reportedly encouraging Asian signings at Liverpool to boost their appeal across the globe, Damien Comolli sees the 25-year-old as a good deal on multiple fronts.

While Paris Saint-Germaine and Lille have both reportedly already made offers for Park’s signature, Monaco are waiting on Liverpool to show their cards before they move forward.

Maxi Hints At Reds Exit

Liverpool winger Maxi Rodriguez has revealed he would be open to a move back to Argentina with Newell's Old Boys.

The 30-year-old started his career at Newell's before leaving for Espanyol in 2002.

Maxi, who joined Liverpool in January 2010 from Atletico Madrid, claims he has held talks with Newell's president Guillermo Lorente about a possible return.

"When I left here, I knew I was coming back," Rodriguez told Argentinian newspaper La Capital.

"The president (William Lorenzo) called me and I said yes. Now it depends on the contract I have in Liverpool, maybe that can be loosened a little."

Maxi's future at Liverpool could be in doubt with Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish actively looking at bringing in the likes of Charlie Adam and Stewart Downing this summer.

Agger Hits The Beach To Boost His Comeback From Injury

Daniel Agger is ready to spend his summer holidays pounding the beach, in a bid to prove his fitness in time for pre-season training.

Liverpool’s Danish defender endured another frustrating campaign with injuries.

He picked up an injury in September which sidelined him for more than three months, returned only to see a groin strain put him back on the treatment table for four matches in March and then lasted just 24 minutes of his second match back in the senior side before a knee injury ended his season at West Bromwich Albion.

But he is now back in light training and is planning to spend his holidays working on his fitness.

Agger’s agent, Per Steffensen, explained: “He has had his leg in plaster for a long time and has been walking with crutches.

“But he has started to run and during his holiday he has an exercise plan to stick to.

“So nothing should stand in his way from beginning training with his team-mates.”

Martin Kelly Is Delighted To Welcome Jordan Henderson To Anfield

Liverpool defender Martin Kelly believes new signing Jordan Henderson has all the attributes to become a great at Anfield.

Henderson, on international duty with the England Under-21s in Denmark, signed for Liverpool from Sunderland for a reported £16 million last week.

And Kelly, who established himself in the Reds first team last season, believes the young midfielder has the ability to make an even bigger name for himself.

“Jordan's a great lad and really down to earth," Kelly told LFC Weekly. "We get on really well and I'm made up that he's made a mark on Sunderland's first team over the last few seasons. He has everything you need to become a footballer at the highest level.

"The thing I like about him most is that he keeps it nice and simple. You can give him the ball under pressure and he will always keep it, even in the tightest situations.

"He's very patient in possession and if you're under pressure you can give it to him and he'll take the sting out of a game and keep things ticking over.

"He is also the type of player who will weigh in with a number of assists every season and score a few too.

"Jordan is definitely the kind of player who will never let his head drop. He's got a lot of confidence in his own ability."

Liverpool Yet To Decide Over New Stadium

Liverpool has generated some interest in selling naming rights for a proposed new stadium but a senior official insists a final decision on whether to move or redevelop Anfield has yet to be taken.

According to Billy Hogan, managing director of Fenway Sports Management - the global commercial arm of club owners Fenway Sports Group - the primary consideration has to be ensuring the club can compete financially with their main rivals.

"We see Liverpool as a truly global proposition from a marketing standpoint and a naming rights partnership with Liverpool Football Club is really unlike any other thing there is out there," Hogan told Bloomberg.

"It's something we've seen some interest in and we'll continue to have those conversations."

Hogan added that the final decision will "rest on which opportunity allows us to keep generating revenue to compete with the rest of our competition in the Premier League".

It is believed FSG's preferred option is to increase both the capacity and corporate opportunities at Anfield, as they did when they took over at baseball side Boston Red Sox.

But that could still pose some issues in restricting match-day income and plans for a new build in Stanley Park have not been ruled out.

Under the terms of the agreement struck when plans were first drawn up for the new stadium project the club did have until the end of this month to take up the option of the 999-year lease they agreed with the city council for land in Stanley Park.

With discussions between the two parties continuing, however, that may be subject to change.