Fernando Torres: I Won't Leave Liverpool FC For Chelsea

Fernando Torres has laughed off rumours of a switch to Chelsea, insisting he wants to win trophies with Liverpool.

The news comes as the proposed sale of George Gillett’s ice hockey club Montreal Canadiens offers hope the financial cloud over Anfield can be lifted.

Reports yesterday suggested that just a week after Torres was linked with a shock move to North West rivals Manchester United, Chelsea are now planning to test Liverpool’s resolve over their Spanish striker with an audacious £50m bid.

The Londoners are also believed to have entered the race to try and prise compatriot Xabi Alonso away from Anfield but Torres has reiterated his desire to remain at Anfield – believing that Liverpool are on the verge of claiming major honours again.

He said: “In the past two years, United have been the strongest team in Europe and we had to fight against them.

“This year they have lost an important player, so maybe it is our time.

“When I signed for Liverpool the main thing was to win trophies for them.

“It has been frustrating for me because for a club like Liverpool to go two years without a trophy is too long. But I think its coming.”

In a summer in which an array of Liverpool stars have been subject to a series of transfer rumours, the Anfield outfit’s ability to hold on to its prize assets like Torres could now be boosted by co-owner Gillett’s proposed sale of the Montreal Canadiens to the Molson family.

The deal to sell the NHL’s most successful ever team is worth a reported $550m (£330m).

Liverpool Beat Real Madrid & Barcelona To Signature Of Suso

Liverpool have stolen a march on Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona and secured the services of highly-rated Cadiz teenager Jesus Fernandez Saez, nicknamed Suso, according to Setanta Sports.

The broadcaster is reporting that Rafa Benitez's outfit have beaten the two La Liga sides to the 16-year-old's signature, with the midfielder signing a five year deal at the club.

Benitez has reportedly been monitoring the midfielder's progress for the last few months, and, with both Barca and Real apparently hovering with intent, he will be pleased to have snapped up another of his compatriots to further boost the strong Hispanic contingent on Merseyside.

Liverpool will pay a compensation fee to Cadiz, although no figure has been specified as yet. But it is anticipated that the Reds will pay much more than the amount officially required to take over the player's academy contract.

The signing should be confirmed by the club in the next few days.

Enter Glen Johnson - Now Liverpool Now Have The Best Right-Back In The Country

There have been critics, who shall remain fabulous and anonymous, of Rafa Benitez's transfer policy in recent seasons, but when he gets it right, few can pick them better.

A vast majority of neutrals consider Javier Mascherano to be among the leading defensive midfielders in the world, and you would struggle to find a better all-round No. 9 than Fernando Torres.

Robbie Keane may have ended up being a monumental way to waste £8 million (money spent factoring in the resale), and going as high as £17m for Gareth Barry seemed wholly unnecessary for a team that already had one of the best central midfield partnerships in the world, but Rafa now, by some method of madness, appears to have found his way again.

No one with £17m in their pocket would usually think that the best place to spend it would be on a right-back, never mind a right-back playing for Portsmouth, rejected by Chelsea and written off as nothing more than a failed prospect, but this time next summer, they might just be re-evaluating their principles.

For those who don't know, Glen Johnson appeared on Liverpool's website in what was a comical give-away of his having agreed to join the Reds. It would take a revolt of Robinho proportions or a teething problem in the mould of Aly Cissokho to put a stop to this deal now.

Portsmouth already accepted a bid from them, as well as one from Manchester City and another from Chelsea, but the full-back could not have made a better choice from the three.

Chelsea's mere interest, as the club that rejected him just two seasons ago, is more than curious. They only just filled their right-back slot for good last summer with the quality acquisition of Jose Bosingwa, and unless new Blues coach Carlo Ancelotti had planned to ship off the Portuguese elsewhere, quite how Glen Johnson figured into the equation at Stamford Bridge is unclear.

City offer one obvious incentive with not a lot else on top, when you consider they are competing with two of the highest ranked clubs in UEFA. Again, amongst the likes of the promising Micah Richards and new signing Pablo Zabaleta, there was no necessity for Johnson at Eastlands and nor would there have been any guarantee of success.

Still just 24, the defender has shot straight into his prime, further fine-tuning his initial promise going forward with more discipline in defence. Liverpool, while not ill-equipped with Alvaro Arbeloa at their disposal, were missing that little extra something, but not anymore.

Michael Carrick established two seasons ago the going rate for an England international signing for one Premier League club from another, and excessive though it is, Johnson is as good a guarantee as any to be, in relative terms, more than value for money.

For all Dirk Kuyt's virtues for Liverpool operating from right-wing, his talent is goal-poaching, and he can't help but look a little lost out wide when he has the ball and is under a degree of obligation to do something with it. Johnson, fresh from providing no fewer than four assists in his last England appearance and being arguably Portsmouth's most creative player all season from right-back, will go some way towards solving that problem.

The Reds have a spine to match any other in world football, but where they lack is not only in alternatives, but also quality flair players to fill the wide slots in Rafa's rigid 4-2-3-1 formation. Signing Johnson, assuming they can keep Arbeloa from fleeing back to Madrid, will give them both the strength and depth they require to match anyone.

It can only help the team to have more quality English talent to add to the mainstaying duo - club captain Steven Gerrard and his deputy, Jamie Carragher - who have been left holding the fort in the Reds' current best XI. Gareth Barry fell through - and probably for the best - but Gerrard in particular would no doubt be delighted to welcome another international team-mate to the fold and help shake Liverpool's tag of being something of a Spanish Armada.

In truth, Man United may have done well to snap up a third product of West Ham's youth system for their starting line-up, but look like settling with the rotation system between the injury-hit Wes Brown, the eternal stand-in John O'Shea and Rafael da Silva - another in a long line of flying Brazilian full-backs.

Here, Liverpool have made the move and spent the money where United did not, and they will be the ones to benefit immeasurably next season - a full-back may only be a full-back, but the best ones always find a way to make a difference. Bakary Sagna at Arsenal and Chelsea's Jose Bosingwa can claim superior proven pedigree, but it's Johnson who outshone them both last season, and he now has the perfect platform to cement himself as the best in the Premier League and of course, the best England has to offer.

Leto Set For Panathinaikos

Liverpool winger Sebastian Leto has revealed he is almost certain to move to Panathinaikos in the near future.

The 22-year-old is set to leave the Reds after it was discovered he would have little or no chance of gaining a work permit due to his lack of appearances on Merseyside.

The Argentine only joined the club in the summer of 2007 and spent the entire of last season on loan at Greek side Olympiakos.

The former Lanus youngster admits that he would have preferred to make his move to the Greek champions permanent but the offer never came.

"I am very close to Panathinaikos," he said. "There are negotiations between Panathinaikos and Liverpool and as far as I know the two sides are very close to a deal.

"I think that the possibilities to play at Panathinaikos next season right now are more than 90 per cent.

"I have been waiting for something from Olympiakos all these weeks but they didn't make a move to buy me so far.

"It's not a matter of money. I wanted to stay at Olympiakos but since they don't want to sign me I have to think about my future."

Barcelona To Offer €20M For Mascherano

Barcelona are to test Liverpool's resolve by making an opening offer of €20 million in an attempt to prise Javier Mascherano away from Merseyside, according to a report.

The Argentinian midfielder is rumoured to be a target for the Blaugrana this summer and, after talks with the player's representative, a plan has been hatched to try and persuade the Reds to sell.

Agent Walter Tamer was in the Catalan capital last week talking not only about what could be on offer at Camp Nou but also helping to formulate a way of brokering a transfer, Sport state.

Rafa Benitez has stated that he does not want to sell the influential Mascherano, but the feeling is growing that he is going to have to let one of his midfielder's go this summer.

Xabi Alonso is wanted by Real Madrid and possibly Juventus, after the Italians reignited their interest a year after they first showed an interest.

The pressure is on Liverpool is really starting to mount.

Benitez wants money to spend, and the sale of Mascherano to Barcelona could open up doors for him to have the pick of the European champions' fringe layers and youth teamers.

Sport believe that if Benitez is told he can use every penny of a transfer fee for Mascherano, then he will try to negotiate with Barca and could ask about Toure Yaya.

The Ivory Coast international has held talks about a new contract at the Catalan club, but the arrival of Mascherano would leave an over-crowded midfield and might tempt him to leave.

Alvaro Arbeloa's Agent In Talks With Real Madrid

Alvaro Arbeloa's agent has reportedly been at the Bernabeu this morning to hold talks about a possible move to Real Madrid.

The defender has been rumoured to be leaving Liverpool this summer and only has one year left on his deal with the English club.

Now Marca reports that Manuel Garcia Quilon, agent to both Arbeloa and Ruben de la Red, has been at the Bernabeu today possibly holding talks with the club.

One factor that seems to elude to a move away from Anfield for Arbeloa is the fact that Liverpool appear to be on the verge of signing another right-back in Glen Johnson.

Should the English defender arrive this summer then it is hard to see Arbeloa staying and playing mainly off the bench behind him.

Hence, a return to Madrid could be on the cards, and the player himself has not denied speculation linking him with a Bernabeu move, instead remaining coy on the subject.

Should he go back to Madrid it will be a return just four years after he left to join Deportivo La Coruna.

It was from there that he was signed by Liverpool, but now it looks as if his future at Anfield is in serious doubt.

More Transfer Frustration For Benitez

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez's summer plans may not be as straightforward as he would have wanted as it seems he faces another transfer battle.

Having spent the last couple of weeks fending off interest in midfielders Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano from Real Madrid and Barcelona, it now appears Chelsea are competing for the signature of Portsmouth defender Glen Johnson.

The Merseysiders were in pole position to bring in the England international for a fee, which includes money still owed to them from the transfer of Peter Crouch to Pompey, believed to be around £17million.

However, with Fratton Park chairman Peter Storrie confirming a second club, understood to be Johnson's former side Chelsea, had lodged an identical bid there is now serious competition for the 24-year-old's signature.

Having seen Gareth Barry, Benitez's number one transfer target last summer, complete a surprise move to Manchester City earlier this month the Liverpool boss will not want to be pipped at the post again.

Liverpool remain confident they are Johnson's preferred choice and it has been reported the player is to cut short a holiday to have a medical over the weekend.

'The matter will come to a conclusion at the beginning of next week. I do not have a preference over the move, it is up to Glen,' said Storrie.

'The deals are almost identical so it really is down to him and what club he prefers, which one is going to pay him more money.'

With Madrid's interest in Alonso seemingly still alive and Barcelona reportedly considering a move for Jose Reina to replace goalkeeper Victor Valdes, signing Johnson would be a welcome relief for Benitez.

At least he can rely on star striker Fernando Torres, who signed an improved contract last month.

The Spain international also believes much of the speculation about his club-mates, although unsettling, will not be too damaging.

'A lot of players committed themselves to Liverpool this summer with new contracts and players don't do that unless they think they can have their ambitions met,' he said.

'There is a lot of belief at the club and a lot of trust in the manager.

'I'm very happy with my contract at Liverpool and wouldn't leave just to earn a little more somewhere else where I wouldn't be that happy.

'To want any more would be greedy and that is not me. As long as Liverpool want me, I will stay.'

Recent comments by Liverpool's auditors about the level of debt at the club - American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett are in the process of renegotiating a loan of £350million - have only increased speculation about departures from Anfield.

Torres, however, believes the majority of the squad will remain and dismissed suggestions Mascherano was unhappy on Merseyside.

'Javier loves it at Liverpool, that is all I can tell you," said the striker.

'In the summer people like to make a lot of noises about world-class players - and Javier is a world-class player.

'He has said himself that he is very happy at Anfield and there is no reason for him to want to leave.'

The future of left-back Andrea Dossena could be finalised next week as the Italian's agent believes Juventus will soon make a decision on whether to make a bid.

'I don't know if you can call it an ultimatum, but I think that Juve will decide what to do within the next week,' agent Roberto La Florio told Calciomercato.it.

'The left-back position is a necessity for the Bianconeri and the directors are not willing to drag this on.

'However, I still think it's a two-horse race between Andrea and (Fabio) Grosso.

'Andrea has subtly expressed his desire to join Juve in recent days, but he also said that he loves it in Liverpool.

'We'll definitely know more about it next week and Juve remain the most likely destination for him.'

Liverpool FC Confident Of Beating Chelsea To Glen Johnson Signature

Liverpool are set to score their first victory of the new season over Chelsea – by clinching the signature of Glen Johnson from Portsmouth.

Pompey chief executive Peter Storrie has confirmed that the England full-back had been given permission to speak to TWO clubs.

“Glen has got permission to speak to two clubs and I think that is what he is going to do,” he said.

“The matter will come to a conclusion next week. I do not have a preference over the move, it is up to Glen and his agent. The deals are almost identical so it is really down to him and what club he prefers.”

Liverpool, however, remain confident that the £17m defender has made up his mind on a move to Anfield.

He is expected to cut short a holiday to have a medical this weekend.

Barcelona Preparing Bid For Liverpool's Javier Mascherano

According to a report in the British tabloid The Daily Mail, Primera Division giants Barcelona are readying an offer for Liverpool's Javier Mascherano.

It is claimed the combative midfielder has decided to leave the Merseyside outfit because his wife is keen to leave England having failed to settle.

It is thought that manager Rafael Benitez understands the 48-time capped Argentina international's predicament and is ready to grant him a transfer, provided his valuation is met.

Apparently, the Reds boss is holding out for at least €41.5 million (£35m) in exchange for the 25-year-old's services.

Although La Blaugrana are expected to meet Liverpool's demands, they may well test the Premier League club's resolve with a bid of €23.7m (£20m) plus a player, possibly highly-rated young striker Bojan, in the first instance.

Glen Johnson Can Be A Liverpool FC Wide Boy

Rafa Benitez doesn’t do favourites.

But if he did, Alvaro Arbeloa would probably figure pretty high on that list.

Rafa may be the master of the rotation policy, but the Spanish full-back has been his most consistent selection for the last two years.

He managed 43 starts last season, despite injury and suspension. The previous season he started 38.

Which all makes the £17m bid for Glen Johnson so surprising.

Even if a large portion of that fee isn’t handed over because of the outstanding monies owed by Portsmouth from Peter Crouch’s transfer, it’s still a hefty outlay for a full-back. Especially one for whom defending is far from a strong point.

Johnson’s recent performance against Kazakhstan was typical.

Taken to the cleaners time and again by a lively left winger, the first after barely 15 seconds, he then produced a mesmerizing run to put a goal on a plate for Wayne Rooney.

So maybe Rafa doesn’t plan to use him as a right-back at all?

Genuine width down Liverpool’s right side has been a problem ever since the wildly successful experiment to use Steven Gerrard out there was abandoned after 25 goals.

Glen Johnson may offer that width and penetration, without sacrificing Alvaro Arbeloa at all.

But where does that leave Dirk Kuyt?

It promises to be an intriguing summer at Anfield.

Nikola Kalinic: ‘The Future Of Croatian Football’ Perfect As Torres Understudy At Liverpool

Liverpool are one of a number of Premier League clubs looking to strengthen their squads with new strikers this summer as Rafa Benitez looks to bring in an understudy to main man Fernando Torres. One such target may well be a relative unknown to English fans but who has started to make a name for himself throughout Europe. That played is 21-year-old striker Nikola Kalinic.

The youngster is arguably one of the most highly-rated players to emerge in Croatia in the past 10 years and is beginning to make clubs around Europe sit up and take notice with his goalscoring exploits. The Hajduk Split frontman finished 2nd in the scoring charts in his country with 15 goals in 28 League appearances for his club. This followed on from a superb 2007/08 campaign which led to Kalinic being called up to Slaven Bilic’s Euro 2008 squad.

The young striker is so highly regarded in his homeland that Bilic described him as “the future of Croatian football” which is high praise indeed. The 2007/08 season saw Kalinic came of age in the Hajduk first team after returning from successful loan spells at Pula and Sibenik.

He finished 3rd top scorer in Croatia in 2007/08 with 17 goals in 25 League appearances (23 starts) despite his club finishing 5th in the 12-team division. This earned him a call-up to Euro 2008 despite being uncapped prior to the naming of the squad. Since then Kalinic has made three senior appearances (all as substitute) without scoring against Moldova (friendly), Poland at Euro 2008 and Andorra in World Cup qualifier.

Kalinic was born in the small town of Solin and made his top division debut for Hajduk aged just 17 in the 2005/06 season. The young striker made 6 League appearances that season (2 starts). Even though he failed to score, his talent was there for all to see.

The following season Kalinic was sent out on loan to fellow Croatian side Pula where he scored 3 goals in 12 League appearances and was dubbed by their manager Krunoslav Jurčić as Croatia’s version of Zlatan Ibrahimovic. He then joined Sibenik on loan where he managed to score 3 goals in just 8 League appearances prior to returning to Hajduk for the 2007/08 season when his career took off.

Kalinic has represented his country at every level from U17 to the seniors and is tipped by many in his homeland to follow in the footsteps of arguably the greatest Croatian striker in history - Davor Suker. However, he has a lot to live up to as Suker scored an incredible 45 goals in 69 internationals so any comparisons may be unfair. At U17 level Kalinic scored 16 goals in 20 appearances, at U19 level he scored 11 goals in 12 games and at U21 level he scored 3 goals in 3 games.

At 6 ft 1 he is built for Premier League football and would surely be of interest to a number of clubs searching for a striker who may soon be out of their League if he continues to impress. He would be the perfect young back up to the established striking talent of Fernando Torres at Anfield.