Rafa After Palmeiras Keeper?

Coveted Palmeiras goalkeeper Diego Cavalieri is almost certain to join a European club this summer, with Liverpool being touted as a possible destination by some sections of the Brazilian press.

The 25-year-old, who has spent his entire career so far with the 'Verdão', is very highly regarded in his homeland, and was close to signing for Inter in 2005 before they opted for Julio Cesar instead.

As the surname would suggest, Cavalieri hails from Italian stock, which means he would have the added being able to obtain an EU pass should he make the move across the Atlantic.

AC Milan are also said to be keen on the Palmeiras gem in their search for a replacement for their Brazilian flop Nelson Dida, while Benfica, Valencia, Lazio and Fiorentina have all linked with moves over the last year.

Cavalleri is reportedly in Europe right now in order to secure a work permit and will almost certainly take the opportunity to meet with some of the aforementioned suitors.

His representatives have remained coy in their latest comments, though one of his agents Juninho revealed the following: “We have signed a document with the team that forces us to keep their name secret, that’s why we can’t reveal it at the moment.

“They came to speak to me, to Palmeiras, and the negotiations are in progress," he concluded.

Parry: Liverpool FC New Stadium Building To Commence In Autumn

Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry has disclosed that the club is ensuring that the New LFC Stadium building work in Stanley Park, starts in the autumn.

In his column on the Reds’ official website, Parry writes: “Most fans will be aware that "enabling" work has been started in Stanley Park regarding the New LFC Stadium. This is a very important step forward.

“We have obtained licence agreement from the council to start work on the park and it's a significant moment, being the first time any physical work has been undertaken. It's all about site preparation to ensure we are ready to commence building in the Autumn with completion planned for the summer of 2011.”

Club co-owner George Gillett had recently stressed that the new stadium, which is said to be worth £350m, is unique in design, hoping that it will keep intact the Anfield magic.

The American had said: "The stadium design is unique and will be recognised across the world as the Liverpool FC stadium.

"It incorporates a Kop stand that will hold 18,000 fans and we hope that the stadium will be as noisy and atmospheric on a matchday as Anfield."

The £20m Man: Keane Can Go If Benitez Agrees To Spurs' Terms

Robbie Keane returned to pre-season yesterday to find that Tottenham have slapped a £20million price tag on his head to ward off strong interest from Liverpool.

Spurs last week rejected a player-plus-cash deal involving Peter Crouch for Keane, whose desire to move has received high-profile backing from Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni.

Although Spurs are reluctant to sell their top scorer, Sportsmail understands that an offer of Crouch plus around £10m would be given consideration at White Hart Lane.

Keane has informed Spurs officials he wishes to join the club he supported as a boy if a deal can be struck.

But it appears Spurs, like Aston Villa with Gareth Barry, will not countenance the transfer unless Liverpool return with what they consider to be a realistic bid.

Manager Juande Ramos needs to generate funds after spending £30m on Luka Modric, John Bostock, Giovani Dos Santos and goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes.

Spurs remain favourites to sign Blackburn midfielder David Bentley while a move for Sevilla's Diego Capel could yet be resurrected despite the Spanish side rejecting a £12.6m bid earlier this week.

The sale of unsettled striker Dimitar Berbatov would cover Ramos' outlay thus far, if Spurs were to achieve their asking price.

However, Real Madrid are ready to pull out of the race to sign Berbatov in an attempt to appease Manchester United over their public pursuit of Cristiano Ronaldo, but it is unlikely Sir Alex Ferguson will agree to the £30m fee Spurs are asking of rival Premiership clubs.

Galatasaray Claim Kewell Transfer

Galatasaray claim they have signed Harry Kewell - but the Australian's agent Bernie Mandic insists the deal has not been completed.

The Turkish club's website said Kewell, 29, had signed a three-year contract after he was not offered a new deal by Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez.

But Mandic said: "We have not finalised a deal for Harry and it's down to two possibilities."

Mandic added that Kewell's future may become clearer on Saturday.

Roma, Spartak Moscow and Portsmouth have all been linked with a move for the Australian international.

Kewell had five injury-troubled seasons at Liverpool after moving from Leeds.

A move to Galatasaray would end any possibility of Kewell being one of Australia's three over-age players at the Beijing Olympics.

Kewell was sent off playing for Leeds against Galatasaray in the 2000 Uefa Cup semi-final.

He scored a goal and helped set up another in Australia's 3-1 win over Qatar in June that guaranteed them a place in the second round of Asian qualifying for the 2010 World Cup.

Hungarian Invasion Continues At Anfield

Liverpool’s ties with MTK Hungaria continue to blossom, with three of the Budapest side’s youngsters beginning trials at Melwood this week.

Zsolt Poloskei, David Keleman and Norbert Ode have joined up with the Reds reserves for pre-season training, where they will hope to sufficiently impress Rafa Benitez and thus earn an Anfield contract.

The 16- and 17-year-olds follow in the footsteps of compatriots Peter Gulacsi, Andras Simon and Kristian Nemeth, who made the switch from Budapest to Merseyside after successful trials last summer.

Nemeth in particular has proved a hit during his short and injury-interrupted spell so far, the 19-year-old's intelligence and finishing ability earning comparisons to Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler.

Hence, Benitez and co are excited at the two clubs’ growing relationship, as they believe they have discovered a potential goldmine of unheralded talent.

Parry On Rafa, Transfers And Pre-Season

It is extremely busy behind the scenes at Anfield right now as Rafael Benitez and myself work hard on the club's summer plans.

This relates to buying and selling and putting the finishing touches to our pre-season schedule which is crucial to our Champions League preparations.

We are spending a lot of time together. It is always a little frustrating when deals take longer than you might have hoped because of the complexities of transfers these days. However, fans can rest assured that we are putting in the hours to make things happen.

We remain upbeat about the way things are going and will keep fans in touch as things progress.

Having announced six away friendlies as part of pre-season build-up, we are now close to finalising a prestigious home game against Lazio at Anfield on Friday, August 8. The visit of the Italians will be an attractive proposition for our supporters who will remember the Rome side coming here for a friendly in July 2002.

We had a spell a few years ago when we arranged a number of games of this calibre against teams like Parma and Inter. Ironically, Rafa's former club Valencia was probably the last of those.

Gerard Houllier used to quite like matches at this level as part of his preparation and Rafa sees the value in the build-up to our vital Champions League qualifier in August.

The away games already confirmed are against Tranmere Rovers, FC Lucerne, Wisla Krakow, Hertha Berlin, Villarreal, Glasgow Rangers and Valarenga. We will take a lot of fans to Ibrox where I know we will get a great welcome.

It will also be the first opportunity on UK soil to salute our Spanish players after their tremendous success in the European Championship, not least matchwinner Fernando Torres. His world-class qualities were there for all to see against Germany.

Fernando's winning goal in a well-deserved 1-0 victory was a classic piece of finishing. Liverpudlians know all about his pace, determination and skill. All of these qualities played a part in a superb strike that stunned his marker Lahm. The defender looked favourite to win the ball, but he was caught out by Fernando's explosive speed. We all remember Kenny Dalglish's famous dink over the keeper in the 1978 European Cup final against Bruges. Spaniards everywhere will never forget the Torres equivalent as he clipped the ball into the back of the net over the advancing Jens Lehmann.

Our striker had already warned the Germans with a great header that came back off the post. Congratulations must also go out to Xabi Alonso who came on as a substitute to play his part and also squad members Pepe Reina and Alvaro Arbeloa who picked up medals as members of a talented Spanish group.

* Most fans will be aware that "enabling" work has been started in Stanley Park regarding the New LFC Stadium. This is a very important step forward. We have obtained licence agreement from the council to start work on the park and it's a significant moment, being the first time any physical work has been undertaken. It's all about site preparation to ensure we are ready to commence building in the Autumn with completion planned for the summer of 2011.

Liverpool Boss Benitez Hails Attacking Qualities Of Philipp Degen

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez believes new signing Philipp Degen will provide the width to facilitate the attacks, from the full-back position and bring about increased competition for places.

The 25-year-old Switzerland international right-back completed his Bosman move to Anfield on Thursday and met his Reds team-mates for the first time on Friday.

Benitez told Liverpoolfc.tv: “I'm really pleased (to sign Degen) because we were working to try and find this kind of player in the full-back position with the ability to push forward, so I think he is a good signing. It was another good acquisition through the scouting department because it is another Bosman player.”

Elaborating on the qualities of the former Borussia Dortmund player, Benitez said: “He's very strong. He likes to go forward; he's very offensive and will give us options on the right-hand side. People talk about wingers but he will give us width from the full-back area and that is important too.”

The Spanish tactician also disclosed that there are couple of areas that they focused on and the reason to bring Degen was to get more firepower in these regions. And now with the new addition, and Steve Finnan and Alvaro Arbeloa in the squad, the competition is bound to be severe.

Benitez said: “Yes, clearly. It is important for me to have one, two or even three players who can play in one position or different positions and compete for their place.”

Insua Signs New Pool Contract

Liverpool have tied down their talented young defender Emiliano Insua to a new three-year contract this afternoon.

19-year-old former Boca Juniors player Insua is a full-back, whose best position is in the left full-back role.

And the news that he has signed a new contract will come as a boost to fans of the Merseyside giants as the Argentinean is tipped to have a hot future in the game.

The deal to keep Insua, who last year was a regular for Liverpool’s reserve side that won the title, will keep him at Anfield until June of 2011.

To date, Argentina Under-20 international regular Insua has made just five senior appearances for the club, three of which have been in the Premiership.

The summer transfer activities are picking up for Liverpool as they have reportedly stepped closer to signing Aston Villa captain Gareth Barry after the England international was disciplined by his current club due to criticising manager Martin O’Neill in a newspaper interview.

Attacking midfielder Anthony Le Tallec has gone out the other way, joining French outfit Le Mans on a permanent deal, having spent last season on loan there, for an undisclosed fee. Le Tallec had been a Liverpool player for five years, but the vast majority of his spell was spent away from Anfield in loan stints.

Liverpool FC's Latest Bid For Gareth Barry Rejected

Gareth Barry’s Aston Villa nightmare deepened last night when the Midlands club claimed they had rejected a new bid from Liverpool.

But Villa insist the offer from Anfield was not the £17million one widely reported earlier yesterday.

Liverpool also denied they had made a £17m bid, and insisted it was “not their final offer”.

But on a day when Villa manager Martin O’Neill fined club skipper Barry two weeks’ wages for his Sunday newspaper outburst attacking his manager’s handling of the prospective deal, Liverpool were again told they had not matched Villa’s valuation.

Liverpool had previously seen three bids rejected of £10million, £12m and then £13m and the new offer was believed to be in the region of £15m. O’Neill, however, is holding out for £18m.

Barry had raised the stakes this week by publicly attacking his manager, and as well as being fined he was also told not to attend Villa’s first day of pre-season training today.

Villa’s latest statement said: “The club have received a renewed offer from Liverpool for the player but that still falls well short of Aston Villa’s evaluation, and has subsequently been rejected.”

Earlier yesterday O’Neill had denied he had received another offer from Liverpool.

Barry’s absence from training today will only heighten the drama over his move, with his current position at the club clearly untenable.

Barry upset O’Neill by intimating the Villa manager was more interested in being a television pundit for the Euro 2008 finals than speaking to him over his future.

It is also unlikely that the England midfielder will be part of O’Neill’s squad as Villa jet off to a Swiss training camp next week ahead of their first pre-season friendly away at FC Zurich on July 12.

Villa’s competitive season starts almost a month earlier than most of their Premier League rivals as they will travel to the winners of TPS Turku of Finland and Denmark’s Odense BK on July 19/20 but Barry is not expected to figure even if his desired move to Anfield has not been completed by then.

Barry’s situation has become so bitter at Villa though, O’Neill could well try to hold out to ensure his captain is not able to play for Liverpool in their Champions League qualifier on August 12.

And Benitez is also ready to embark on a similar war of attrition with Tottenham over striker Robbie Keane, with sources close to the Irish international striker claiming they know Keane wants to move to Anfield.

Liverpool’s willingness to meet Villa’s price tag for Barry could be assisted if Juventus meet their £16m valuation of Spanish international midfielder Xabi Alonso. Currently on holiday following Luis Aragones’s side’s success at the European Championship finals, Alonso admits that he had no idea where he’d be playing his club football next season.

However, with Juventus having been unable to lure Italian international midfielder Alberto Aquilani from Roma, they could now step up their attempts to prise Alonso away from Anfield.

Pompey Step Up Bid To Sign Peter Crouch

Portsmouth are ready to step up their bid to sign Liverpool striker Peter Crouch as it emerged that the FA Cup winners are heading for a showdown with Kanu over his contract demands.

After playing more than 20 matches for the Fratton Park outfit last season, the 31-year-old Nigerian triggered the offer of a new one-year deal as stipulated in the contract he signed with the club last summer.

However Kanu, who netted the winning goal against Cardiff in last season’s FA Cup final to give the south coast club their first major trophy for 58 years, is now expected to tell them he wants a two-year deal.

The former Arsenal and West Brom striker, who has enjoyed an upturn in fortunes under Harry Redknapp following relegation at the Hawthorns in 2006, has reported to have declared as much on Nigerian radio and is set to return to his club next Tuesday to discuss his future.

Portsmouth remain unconvinced though and chief executive

Peter Storrie who handles all contract and transfer details for Redknapp said: “Kanu will be back in training next week when we hope he will sign the contract he has been offered.

“In accordance with last year’s deal, we have given him another 12 months. At this moment in time he has not signed it. All talk he now wants a two-year contract is news to us. I was not aware of that at all. He hasn’t spoken to me about it. No-one knows whether what he has supposedly said is factual or not – I will be interested to hear what he has to say when he returns next week.

“As it stands there is a contract there to be signed. If he wants longer nothing has been said to me.”

Storrie has already revealed that Portsmouth remain still very much in the hunt for Crouch despite having a £9million bid for the Liverpool striker rejected last week.

Whether Kanu stays or not, the England international remains Redknapp’s number one striking target ahead of the club’s first ever European campaign.

In terms of physical stature and playing style, Crouch, who netted 19 goals in 39 games for Portsmouth between 2001-02 – the most prolific spell of his career – would be an ideal replacement for Kanu.

The 27-year-old, who has been linked to several other Premier League clubs including Arsenal, Aston Villa, Manchester City, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur with Benitez eager to acquire Robbie Keane in a swap deal, is believed to favour a move to Fratton Park, not just because of the success he enjoyed there previously but also because he has a good working relationship with Redknapp.

The pair were together at Hampshire rivals Southampton back in 2004-05 when despite suffering relegation from the Premier League Crouch netted 16 goals, earning an England call-up and £7million move to Champions League winners Liverpool.

Anfield officials could wait until European champion Xabi Alonso returns from holiday before they can sort out the Spanish midfielder’s future.

Alonso has been given a three-week break following Spain’s successful Euro 2008 campaign, with his proposed £16m move to Juventus seemingly on hold.

The player admits to having “no idea” where he will be playing next season.

Trap Pushes Keane Towards Anfield

Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni has urged his star charge Robbie Keane to jump on the chance to join Liverpool this summer.

Tottenham already have their work cut out for them to convince Keane to resist the lure of Liverpool, so they will not be in the least bit happy that his national team manager has so publicly encouraged his player to make a move to 'advance his career'.

Trapattoni told the Daily Mail: "I don’t know what is happening with Liverpool at the moment but I would be very happy for him (to move).

“I hope it happens for him because it will be a big challenge. It would be important for him and important for us.”

The Sun claimed on Monday that Keane has told Spurs boss Juande Ramos he wants to leave, while virtually simultaneously Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has weighed in with a Crouch plus cash swap proposal.

According to the Irish Independent, Tottenham have now made it clear that they will resist all offers for the 27-year-old, who is considered one of the key components of the London side's determined drive to become a genuine top four side.

Liverpool Aim To Capture Hat-trick Of Titles In Rome

All roads lead to Rome for Liverpool in next season’s Champions League competition. The 2009 final will be staged at the Stadio Olimpico in Italy’s capital and on two of the three previous occasions that the Eternal City has hosted European football’s biggest game of the season Liverpool have emerged as winners.

Juventus defeated Ajax on penalties in the most recent Rome final in 1996 but Liverpool took the cup – again in a shoot-out – against Roma on their own ground back in 1984 and won their first European Cup in the same stadium in 1977, defeating German club Borussia Monchengladbach 3-1.

Roma, who will be hoping to reach the final on their own turf again, are already guaranteed a place in the group stages alongside Serie A champions Internazionale who Liverpool knocked out in the quarter-finals of last season’s tournament.

This year’s finalists, Manchester United and Chelsea, also go straight through to the group stages courtesy of their one-two finish in the Premier League and will be joined by Spain’s Real Madrid and Villarreal, who will host Liverpool in a friendly match in the final week of this month.

UEFA Cup winners Zenit St Petersburg go straight through to the groups after winning the Russian League last autumn when Martin Skrtel was still at the heart of their defence.

Because of their fourth-place finish in the Premier League, Liverpool will enter the competition in the third qualifying round, the same stage as last year, alongside third-place Arsenal.

Their opponents will be one of the winners from the second qualifying round and high profile candidates include Rangers, Dynamo Kiev, Anderlecht, Sparta Prague, Fenerbahce, Panathinaikos, Basel and Rapid Vienna.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2008/09

Group stage:

Spain (2): Real Madrid, Villarreal

England (2): Manchester United, Chelsea

Italy (2): Internazionale, Roma

France (2): Lyon, Bordeaux

Germany (2): Bayern Munich, Werder Bremen

Portugal (2): Porto, Sporting CP

Romania (1): CFR Cluj

Netherlands (1): PSV Eindhoven

Russia (1): Zenit St Petersburg

Scotland (1): Celtic

Third qualifying round:

Spain (2): Barcelona, Atletico Madrid

England (2): Arsenal, Liverpool

Italy (2): Juventus, Fiorentina

France (1): Marseille

Germany (1): Schalke 04

Portugal (1): Vitoria Guimaraes

Romania (1): Steaua Bucharest

Netherlands (1): Twente

Russia (1): Spartak Moscow

Ukraine (1): Shakhtar Donetsk

Belgium (1): Standard Liege

Czech Republic (1): Slavia Prague

Turkey (1): Galatasaray

Gareth Barry Playing Dirty With Aston Villa

I always had Gareth Barry down as a straight guy, a decent footballer, a humble team man, the sort you want to see succeed. Silly me. If you thought that Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Real Madrid was the tawdry business of the summer, you have not been paying attention to Barry's attempts to get himself a transfer to Liverpool, whatever it takes.

Last weekend Barry interrupted a holiday in Florida to talk to a reporter from a Sunday red-top newspaper. The majority of the conversation appears to have been spent criticising Martin O'Neill, his manager at Aston Villa.

This would be the same O'Neill who arrived at Villa Park and, in one of his first decisions, stopped Barry being sold to Portsmouth on the cheap. The same O'Neill who showed such faith in Barry that the club captain has become a stalwart of the England team under Fabio Capello.

His thanks was a laughable piece saying that O'Neill was more interested in commentating on Euro 2008 for the BBC than retaining his captain. About all there was to recommend the article was that at least it made a change from the clumsy leaks about Liverpool's interest and Barry's desire to move to Anfield that have mysteriously found their way throughout the summer into a friendly newspaper.

Such shabby behaviour might make sense if Villa were adamant that Barry was not going to leave under any circumstances, but O'Neill and Randy Lerner, the Villa owner, are intelligent men. They can understand why Barry's head has been turned by the approach from a Champions League club. They know that every player has a price when the big clubs come calling.

By any reasonable estimation, that price has to be close to £18million, given that Michael Carrick and Owen Hargreaves each joined Manchester United for something similar and Barry has overtaken both rivals in the England pecking order. For a 27-year-old established international player with two years left on his contract, it is the going rate.

The interesting question now is whether Liverpool want to spend that sum or whether they even have it available. One can only guess from the increasingly desperate behaviour of Barry and his genius of an agent, Alex Black, that those are questions they are asking themselves.

Surely Black is not so daft to have have promised Liverpool that he could get his player out for considerably less than £18million. Surely he was not in such a mad rush to pull off the transfer that he erroneously assumed that Rafael Benítez, the Liverpool manager, had a huge budget and would simply pay what it takes.

The questions take on particular pertinence, given that Villa are due to report back to pre-season training on Thursday, when Barry, in theory, will return as captain. It makes you wonder whether he is so embarrassed by the idea of having to meet O'Neill face to face that he has resorted to anything, even attacking his own club in the hope that they will wash their hands of him for the £13million on the table.

He is not the first footballer to stoop to such tactics, but instead of wasting time attacking his manager, Barry could more usefully have picked up the phone to Liverpool and instructed them to increase their offer. He must be wondering if they do not value him so highly after all, which is something we should all be asking, given his recent behaviour.

Euro Champ Alonso Keeps Liverpool Waiting As Juventus Wait In Wings With £16m Offer

Liverpool may have to wait until European champion Xabi Alonso returns from holiday before they can sort out the Spanish midfielder's future.

Alonso has been given a three-week break following Spain's successful Euro 2008 campaign, with his proposed £16million move to Juventus seemingly on hold.

But Alonso admits to having 'no idea' where he will be playing next season.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez needs funds from player sales to maintain his interest in Aston Villa's Gareth Barry and what is believed to be a player-plus cash offer for Tottenham's Irish forward Robbie Keane.

Alonso told Spanish football expert Guillem Balague's website, www.guillembalague.com: 'I have no idea [what the future holds]. Right now I am just thinking about going on holiday, sitting back and relaxing.

'We all need time to sit back and think about what we (Spain) achieved and to take it all in.

'I will be able to think about all that has gone on and what is going to happen regarding my future later on. We will see what happens when I get back.'

Alonso's performances have made him a European champion for club and country since joining Liverpool, and many fans do not want to see him sold.

Some are dismayed that the current American ownership seem unable to fund Benitez's transfer dealing without selling high-profile players.

Talks between Juventus and Liverpool over Alonso are believed to have stalled over the fee demanded by Benitez.

Benitez is involved in a delicate financial balancing act, and wants to offload Peter Crouch, Jermaine Pennant and Scott Carson.

John Arne Riise has moved to Roma for £4m, and Harry Kewell has been released, with reserve goalkeeper Charles Itandje on his way to Galatasaray for £2m.

Yossi Benayoun and Steve Finnan could also depart.

Benitez is believed to have offered Crouch plus £5m to Tottenham for Keane, a lifelong Liverpool fan.

Portsmouth also want Crouch, a situation confirmed by Pompey chief executive Peter Storrie yesterday. But Benitez clearly want to use the England striker as a makeweight in a deal for Keane.

Benitez's activity in the transfer market continues as American co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett maintain their search for funding for the new LFC stadium - as the club now wish the project to be named - planned for Stanley Park.

The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) are holding off on the delivery of a £9m grant for the project until the club show they have the money for the £350m scheme.

Steve Broomhead, chief executive of the NWDA, has held talks with Kop Holdings, the Americans' company, over funding for the new stadium.

Last week the club started preliminary work in Stanley Park, with both Gillett and Hicks being quoted on Liverpool's website together for the first time in months.

The work is being financed by the £60million set aside from the January re-financing package which is likely to run out by the end of the year.

The £9million from the NWDA will fund regeneration work around the stadium and is a drop in the ocean considering the overall costs of the scheme.

Winner Torres Thanks Liverpool Fans

The man who scored Spain's winner in Sunday's Euro 2008 final has acknowledged a debt of gratitude he feels to his English club and their fans.

Fernando Torres, the Liverpool and Spain striker, has been effusive in his praise of the Anfield club's fans for the part they played in his success with his country thi9s summer.

Torres was the scorer of the only goal on Sunday against Germany as Spain won their first major honour since 1964.

And the 24-year-old ex-Atletico Madrid striker says Liverpool have given him self-belief and helped him hone his technique.

"I have had a wonderful first season at Anfield and the 33 goals I scored for Liverpool gave me the confidence and belief I needed for the European finals," he was quoted as saying in the Daily Telegraph.

"I would like to thank the manager Rafa Benitez and his staff because I have improved as a player thanks to them.

"But it is not just the people at the club who have helped me, it is also the supporters and the people of the city.

"From the moment I first came to Liverpool I have been made to feel welcome and that is why I am able to enjoy my football so much.

"It is incredible. The Liverpool fans have given me so much support and I know that they have even been supporting Spain and this is something I will never forget and I thank everyone for that.

"Now I am looking forward to competing for trophies with Liverpool because I know that means so much to the club and the fans."

Reds Lodge Last Barry Bid

Liverpool have reportedly lodged one last ‘take it or leave it’ bid for Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry.

The Sun reports that the Reds have offered ₤17million for Barry, topping their previous best bid of around ₤14million.

The deal would comprise of ₤15million up front, while the remaining ₤2million would be triggered by Liverpool’s league position during the England international’s tenure.

Villa boss Martin O’Neill has already knocked back three bids from the Merseyside giants and is demanding no less than ₤18million straight cash for the 27-year-old.

But the Ulsterman may be forced to concede defeat after Barry recently went public with his desire to move to Anfield, slamming his manager’s lack of communication in the process.

Many suspected Reds boss Rafa Benitez might even lower his bid following Barry’s announcement, given that Villa have also been in negotiations with Chelsea for his potential replacement, Steve Sidwell.

O’Neill will hold crisis talks with Barry this week but the situation appears beyond repair and a deal could be done within days.

Lawrenson: League Title Next For Torres

Former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson has backed Euro 2008 winner Fernando Torres to shoot Liverpool to next season’s Premier League title.

Ex-Atletico Madrid forward Torres was a key player for Spain and scored the winner in the final to hand his nation a 1-0 victory over Germany in Vienna on Sunday.

And after the Spaniard picked up his first piece of major silverware, in the process ending his side’s 44-year wait for international gold, Lawrenson believes that more titles could beckon for the striker, starting with next season’s Premier League.

"Amazingly, winning the European Championship was the first major piece of silverware that Torres has lifted during his career but now that he's off the mark it can only bode well for Liverpool next season," the BBC pundit told the press.

"Having become a European champion with his nation, Torres will be eager to repeat the feat at club level and following the end of Spain's long wait he'll be determined to bring to an end Liverpool's search for the Premier League title too, which I think he will do."

Torres' goal on Sunday, a perfectly weighted chip over the onrushing Jens Lehmann, was the perfect way to cap a high quality tournament, and Lawrenson feels that he was the only player on the pitch capable of producing such a moment.

"Grabbing the winner in the final against Germany was obviously a great way for Fernando Torres to end the Euro 2008 tournament and I reckon that he was probably the only player on the pitch capable of scoring that goal," he added.

"We're all well aware now that Torres is a special player and when you look at where he was and the fact that Jens Lehmann was hurtling towards him, he did incredibly well to get his goal.

"With that little bit of pace and little bit of power he was able to get the better of the German goalkeeper and secure Spain's first silverware in 44 years.

"One or two people have suggested to me that Liverpool’s number nine actually had quite an average tournament overall but I’d have to disagree.

"Torres was instrumental in David Villa finishing as top scorer although I thought he actually played better without the Valencia striker alongside him.

"He was able to play more of his natural game in the final with Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas operating just behind him in a Steven Gerrard-style role.

"Torres is similar to Thierry Henry in his pomp at Arsenal in that he likes to play up front on his own, getting his support from the various creative outlets in midfield.

"He enjoys the freedom and as a result Christoph Metzelder and Per Mertesacker were given a torrid time throughout the final."

Liverpool's Keane Bid Encounters Difficulties

Liverpool must overcome a series of obstacles to entice Robbie Keane to Anfield, with Tottenham's valuation of the Republic of Ireland captain and Rafael Benitez's limited transfer budget hindering attempts to unite the striker with Fernando Torres.

Keane has asked to be kept informed of Liverpool's interest after being the subject of a cash-plus-Peter Crouch enquiry last week, but is unlikely to jeopardise his relationship with Tottenham by submitting a transfer request. That could change if Liverpool lodged a formal bid for the 27-year-old, a boyhood fan who shares an agent with Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher, but Spurs' £20m valuation would still be prohibitive to the Anfield club.

Liverpool are expected to make a fourth offer of around £15m to Aston Villa for Gareth Barry in the next 48 hours and, with the £8m transfer of Andrea Dossena merely awaiting the Italian left-back's signature, Benitez will then have to sell before making any purchases in the Keane price-bracket. Consequently Liverpool, who sold John Arne Riise to Roma for £4m and hope to raise another £1m by off-loading reserve keeper Charles Itandje to Galatasaray, would prefer to include Crouch in a deal for the Spurs striker. However, with the England international considering several options and Xabi Alonso yet to complete a move to Juventus, Benitez will have to bide his time before formalising his interest in Keane.

Tottenham will not be deflected in their interest in the Sevilla winger Diego Capel despite the Spanish club rejecting their opening £12.5m bid for the midfielder. Juande Ramos hopes to add pace and invention down the flanks with the capture of Blackburn Rovers' David Bentley and Capel but, as yet, has seen offers for both players knocked back.

Sevilla were quick to reject the approach from their former manager for the 20-year-old, despite Spurs offering more money than the buy-out clause in the Spaniard's contract. "That clause is only valid when a Spanish team makes a bid," confirmed the Sevilla president Jose Maria del Nido. "We do not negotiate with any figure less than that amount. Tottenham made a superior bid and we rejected that because it was not close to the amount we believe the player is worth abroad where, we believe, the buy-out clause does not apply."

Ramos worked with Capel at Sevilla, where the winger made his debut as a 16-year-old before establishing himself as their first-choice left winger last term. An improved offer is likely to be made, as it will be for Bentley after Blackburn rejected an initial bid of around £7m and the England winger Aaron Lennon as a makeweight in the deal.

Tottenham Set To Lose Robbie Keane To Liverpool As He Signals Intention To Leave

Tottenham striker Robbie Keane has told the club's management that he wants to leave after hearing of Liverpool's interest in signing him.

Keane, the club's vice-captain and a popular figure with both players and the fans, was the subject of an initial inquiry last week, with Rafael Benitez offering a player plus cash deal of Peter Crouch and £5 million.

The club rebuffed the offer, but Benitez will be encouraged by Keane's eagerness to join the club he supported as a boy.

The Republic of Ireland international also has a strong friendship with both Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher and is enthused at the prospect of being involved in the Champions League.

Tottenahm value the 27-year-old at £20 million, a figure Liverpool believe they had reached as they have priced Crouch at £15 million, despite the highest bid received to date coming from Portsmouth at £9 million.

Tottenham are taking Portsmouth's bid as the market value of Crouch and so Benitez will have to increase the cash element of the deal before they will do business.

A further complication arises from the fact that Crouch, who has now conceded his future lies away from Anfield, favours a return to one of his former clubs, Portsmouth, rather than moving to London.

Tottenham manager Juande Ramos would be reluctant to lose one of his most consistent performers, especially at a time when he is trying to offload £17 million flop Darren Bent and the future of Dimitar Berbatov remains clouded in uncertainty.

Keane scored 24 goals in all competitions last season and has been an integral part of the side since signing from Leeds United for £7 million six years ago.

Should Keane leave, Ramos would have to buy a completely new front line for next season, though with considerable funds to chase long term-targets David Villa and Lukas Podolski.

Liverpool are locked in a protracted round of negotiations with Aston Villa over Gareth Barry and have limited funds to rush things through.

Tottenham do not need to sell before they can buy this summer as Ramos continues to overhaul the squad he inherited mid-way through last season.

However, Keane's head has been turned by Liverpool's interest and forcing him to remain at the club after he has expressed a firm desire to leave is seen as counter productive by Ramos.

Meanwhile, Sir Alex Ferguson's assertion that Manchester United are interested in making just a single, major signing this summer has raised once more the possibility that Berbatov could, at the third time of asking, be lured to Old Trafford.

Twice before, most recently last summer, Ferguson has inquired about the Bulgarian's availability only to be told by Tottenham that he is not for sale.

Tottenham value Berbatov at £30 million whilst United are willing to pay around £23 million and will not be forced to pay over the odds despite having money available to spend.

Asked about his transfer plans, Ferguson said: "There could be some dialogue, but I wouldn't think any more than one player. People think it's easy to buy players nowadays but it's not - money plays a big part.

"Clubs with ambition don't want to sell their best players so it's not as easy as you think."

Torres Tipped To Match Henry

Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann has told Fernando Torres that he is still not as good as Thierry Henry at his best, but could get there in time.

Torres was the match-winner for Spain in the Euro 2008 final as he latched onto a Xavi pass and finished expertly past Lehmann.

Lehmann has been impressed by the Liverpool striker but feels there is still room for improvement.

Lehmann believes Henry is the greatest striker of recent times, having played with the Frenchman at Arsenal.

"I played in the same team as Thierry Henry, who was like a god," said the 38-year-old shot-stopper.

"There is still a difference. Torres could get there, but it takes a while."

Christoph Metzelder had a torrid time against Torres in Vienna and the Germany defender agrees that he is one of the most difficult forwards in the game to come up against.

"There are many good strikers - it's difficult to say who the best is," said Metzelder.