Monday, July 07, 2014

Lovren: I Want To Join Reds

Southampton defender Dejan Lovren has hit out as his current club and made it clear his thoughts are focused on joining Liverpool.

The Saints have rejected a bid from the Reds for Lovren, an offer he says was for £20million and claims the south coast outfit did not inform him about.

Having expressed his disappointment at that situation, the 25-year-old Croatia international has emphasized that his "head is already at Liverpool".

He has also made reference to what he regards as a lack of ambition from Southampton, who this summer have seen manager Mauricio Pochettino leave for Tottenham, full-back Luke Shaw join Manchester United and midfielder Adam Lallana and striker Rickie Lambert both sign for Liverpool.

Quoted in Croatian newspaper Sportske Novosti, Lovren said: "Liverpool sent the offer and the club hasn’t informed me.

"That wasn't right. I found out about the bid from other people which disappointed me and I realized I've got no business staying at Southampton.

"Liverpool sent a £20million offer and they (Southampton) paid £9million for me, so they would've earned more than twice the amount.

"At this point, I don't know what I'll do and I don't like it.

"It was unbelievable that a few days ago I had an offer of £20million. It was in the morning and by the afternoon the club had said I was not for sale. Frankly, my head is already at Liverpool."

On Southampton, he said: "Honestly, I don't know who the main man at the club is anymore. They are now looking for £25million, but I don't think they'll get it.

"Look, I'd gladly stay at Southampton if the club had any ambitions, if they kept the key players. Not even the Liverpool bid would have dissuaded me."

And on his suitors, Lovren said: "Liverpool is one of the biggest clubs in the world.

"Only Real Madrid has as many fans around the world. The last time I played at Anfield, I got chills when I heard 'You'll Never Walk Alone.'

"I would like to listen to it all the time."

Liverpool And Monaco Eyeing Swoop For Moussa Sissoko

Liverpool are eying a move for Newcastle midfielder Moussa Sissoko.

Reports suggest French heavyweights Monaco are also keen on the midfield ace.

Sissoko moved to St James' Park in January 2013 for around £1.8m.

He has starred in the centre of the park for the Magpies during his time in the north east, catching the eye of big-spending Monaco and Brendan Rodgers' Reds.

French newspaper L'Equipe suggests Monaco are ready to make a bid for Sissoko as they look to bolster their squad ahead of a return to the Champions League.

They also report that Liverpool hold a strong interest in the player, and may make a move as they themselves look to add strength and quality to their ranks as Rodgers prepares for a return to Europe.

Sissoko's agent suggested earlier this summer that a move away from the Toon was on the cards this summer.

"We're only a year-and-a-half into his Newcastle contract, but open to all propositions for Moussa," he said.

The 24-year-old has made 47 Premier League starts for the club, and has scored six goals.

Liverpool Step Up Miguel Layun Interest

Liverpool are in hot pursuit of Mexico left-back Miguel Layun, according to Mexican newspaper Fichajes.

The 26-year old - who currently plays his football at Club America - has been another player who has shone on the World Cup stage following a string of impressive performances for Mexico in Brazil.

Layun would suit manager Brendan Rodgers' style as he has shown himself to be a marauding defender who loves to get forward.

That would be in keeping with the Reds free-flowing football of last season, which earned them many plaudits on their way to a second-placed finish.

However, they may have to fight off interest from Inter Milan, although the player himself is understood to prefer a move to the Premier League.

Liverpool Keeping An Eye On DeAndre Yedlin

Liverpool could be ready to make a move for a World Cup star this summer having increased their interest in USA’s DeAndre Yedlin.

The 20-year-old has impressed as a substitute for Jurgen Klinsmann’s team and The Metro claim Liverpool are keen to offer him a trial.

Brendan Rodgers reportedly wants the Seattle Sounders man to train with his team during pre-season before deciding whether or not to pursue a summer transfer.

Due to the impressive form of Fabian Johnson in the American defence, Yedlin has had limited playing time in Brazil, but he’s done enough coming off the bench to convince Rodgers to take a closer look at him.

Despite naturally being a right back, Yedlin’s pace has been used in a more attacking role for the US and he hasn’t looked out of place on the world stage.

At just 20-years old, Yedlin has his best years ahead of him and could perhaps be seen as a long-term replacement for England defender Glen Johnson should he move on this summer.

The Merseyside club has already been linked with a move for Benfica’s Maxi Pereira, but USA man Yedlin would surely be a better investment given his age.

The American has plenty of similarities with Johnson - both enjoy getting forward from the right-back position, while Yedlin is comfortable filling in at left-back, just as Johnson has done on occasion for Liverpool.

Though Seattle Sounders and MLS are unlikely to want to lose one of their brightest stars, Liverpool have shown they are willing to pay the price to secure their targets and have already spent in the region of £40million this summer.

No Liverpool Contact Over Huntelaar, Insist Schalke

Schalke general manager Horst Heldt insists the club have received no contact from Liverpool over a possible move for Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.

The Netherlands international has recently been linked with a switch to Anfield as they line up potential replacements for Luis Suarez, with Liverpool currently holding talks with Barcelona over the sale of the striker.

Huntelaar has been coy on the speculation and Heldt insists Schalke have no plans to part company with a player who has scored 59 goals in 100 Bundesliga appearances for the club.

"Most recently, I've read that Liverpool should have interest in Klaas-Jan Huntelaar," he told the club's official website.

"Liverpool, Klaas-Jan and also his adviser have not contacted us.

"And we also have no interest in selling the player."

Huntelaar is confirmed he is talks with Schalke over an extension to his contract with the Bundesliga club, but is not keen to continue discussions during the World Cup with Netherlands reaching the semi-final on Saturday.

Liverpool To Make Last-Gasp Attempt To Sign Ashley Cole

Liverpool is set to make an 11th hour attempt to persuade former Chelsea star Ashley Cole to move to Anfield.

Roma are believed to be in the driving seat for the 33-year-old's signature and are closing in on a two-year deal for the left back as they are in advanced talks.

Though Roma are confident of ratifying a deal next week, reports suggest Liverpool will use their powers of persuasion to convince Cole to join them instead.

Cole was released by Chelsea at the end of last season and has had no shortage of offers with the likes of Monaco harboring an interest in him.

Cole has been holidaying recently after retiring from England duty with 107 caps but is yet to decide his next move.

Barcelona and AC Milan have also been keeping tabs on Cole, who believes he still has a lot to offer at the highest level.

Cole spent eight years at Stamford Bridge after joining them from Arsenal.

Napoli Seek Lucas And Reina

Napoli are hoping to take Lucas Leiva and Pepe Reina on loan from Liverpool this season.

Reina already spent last term at the Stadio San Paolo and attempts to buy the goalkeeper outright have proved fruitless.

According to Sky Sport Italia they are trying to secure another one-year loan for Reina with Liverpool paying half his wages.

During these negotiations, Rafa Benitez is also requesting another Liverpool player, midfielder Lucas Leiva.

He is also targeted on loan, as he has struggled for playing time amid injuries lately.

Their interest in Leiva was also confirmed by the Daily Mirror, as Emre Can’s arrival will limit his playing time at Anfield.

It was Rafa Benitez who signed Lucas from Gremio in 2007.

Daniel Agger To Be Offloaded This Summer

Liverpool are reportedly desperate to sell defender Daniel Agger this summer – with the club already having offered the player to Barcelona.

The 29-year-old – who made just 23 appearances for the Reds last season – admitted in May that he did not know where his future lay because he believed that manager Brendan Rodgers didn’t rate him enough.

And Spanish newspaper, Mundo Deportivo, have now claimed that Liverpool want to transfer Agger in the coming months – with the club even offering the defender to Spanish giants Barcelona.

The publication reports that the Catalan club, who need to find a replacement for Carles Puyol, received the proposal three months ago, and assessed the player’s technical level but ended up rejecting it.

The Merseyside club’s offer was apparently not linked to Luis Suarez’s prospective move to the Spanish club and will have no bearing on the Uruguay international’s future.

Liverpool are keen to bolster their defensive options before the start of the new Premier League campaign with Southampton recently rejecting a £20m bid for defender Dejan Lovren.