Benitez Faces Fight For Alonso

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez still faces a fight to keep hold of midfielder Xabi Alonso, with Real Madrid apparently reluctant to take no for an answer.

The Reds boss has insisted he does not want to sell the Spain international - but with reports of a potential £30m offer looming, he may have to reconsider.

Benitez has admitted he has the finance available for one more transfer until he can free up some more money by selling on players.

Alonso would not be on the manager's list of potential departures, because his partnership with Javier Mascherano - a transfer target for Barcelona - is integral to the way the team plays.

But 27-year-old Alonso is one of Liverpool's most saleable assets and Benitez must weigh up what difference the cash from any deal with Madrid would make to his squad - who ran Barclays Premier League champions Manchester United very close last season.

"We have a plan. We can sign one more player if necessary, but that's without any players leaving," said the Liverpool boss.

Benitez hopes to generate funds with the sales of Sebastien Leto and Andriy Voronin - both loaned out last season - left-back Andrea Dossena, who could return to Italy after just one season at Anfield, and possibly Alvaro Arbeloa.

Arbeloa's position has come under threat from the £17m arrival of England right-back Glen Johnson from Portsmouth, with the deal expected to be formally completed in the next couple of days.

Benitez would be happy for the Spain defender to stay. But with Real's general manager Jorge Valdano expressing an interest, the quietly consistent defender may be offloaded.

"Alvaro Arbeloa has had a very good season but he has one year left on his contract," Benitez told the Liverpool Echo.

"If he signs that will be good because we will have more competition, but if we get a good offer we will have to consider it."

Valdano seems confident of being able to sign Arbeloa, telling Spanish newspaper AS: "The lad only has a year left on his contract with Liverpool, and this gives us more possibilities.

"He can play in two or three positions, and this versatility is good. He is another option to evaluate."

Mascherano has seemingly tried to play down speculation of his unhappiness at not having parity with some of the club's top earners - by speaking of his admiration for Benitez.

"(He is) excellent. He's a perfectionist, working down to the smallest detail that you can imagine," said the Argentina captain, whom Benitez has valued at £50million in an attempt to ward off European champions Barcelona.

"Fortunately he has renewed his contract, meaning his ties to the club continue - and this will give more calm to everybody.

"I feel comfortable at Liverpool, but it's always good to know that teams like Barca and Madrid are interested in you."

It seems Liverpool's new managing director Christian Purslow's first major job will be to help finalise the refinancing of the £350m loan taken out to buy the club by American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

Purslow, appointed only on Monday, has a background in finance and private equity - and reports yesterday suggested negotiations with the RBS, one of two banks involved, are at an advanced stage.

The American duo have until July 24 to agree a new deal - although it is expected they will be asked to provide additional security under new, more stringent, terms.

Fernando Torres Has No Fears Of Burn-Out Despite Confederations Cup Success

Fernando Torres has reassured Liverpool fans he has no fears about suffering burn- out next season – despite a grueling summer schedule which will see him take just a three week break from football in almost 12 months.

Spain are through to the semi- finals of the Confederations Cup and play USA tomorrow, seeking a record-breaking 36th unbeaten game in international football.

If successful, Spain would play in the final this weekend, just days before Liverpool restart pre-season training.

Torres and other players involved on international duty like Xabi Alonso, Pepe Reina, Alvaro Arbeloa, Javier Mascherano and Andrea Dossena will be given an extended break, but will still be expected to return in time for Liverpool's high profile tour of Thailand which kicks off on July 22.

Both Pepe Reina and Albert Riera picked up minor knocks in Spain's final group game against South Africa on Sunday. Riera was given a precautionary X-ray on Monday morning but was immediately cleared by the doctors and allowed to resume training.

But Torres, who has started all three group games, said: "We will return for the new season with plenty of energy. It is going to be an exciting season for Liverpool and also for Spain, as there is a World Cup at the end.

"After our holidays are over, we have to join up with the team for Liverpool's Asian tour.

"We can't wait for the tournament to end so that we can go on holiday, with the Cup, so as to get some rest."

Victory tonight could set up a dream final of Spain versus Brazil. Torres added: "It's not the same playing against Brazil as it is playing against any other team. They are currently playing well, scoring goals; they have great players and this may well help give the tournament the importance it deserves.

"A Spain-Brazil final would be a match the whole world would like to see and a match that everyone would want to play in. I'm sure it would be a game full of good football."

Torres admitted he has been overwhelmed by the level of support he has encountered for both Spain and Liverpool in South Africa.

"Since arriving, I have seen a lot of people with Liverpool banners and wearing Liverpool shirts with my name on the back," said the 25-year-old, who with three goals is the tournament's joint top scorer alongside strike partner David Villa.

"To tell the truth, it came as a surprise because I didn't expect this so far from Spain and England. I have not grown tired of signing autographs as it's a delight to have so many fans so far from my own country. It's surprising to see how people with just the minimum resources available have more drive and enthusiasm than anyone. The children, for example, come up to you wearing a smile from ear to ear."

Why I Had To Splash Out On Glen Johnson - Liverpool FC Boss Rafa Benitez

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez admitted today that his £17m capture of Glen Johnson was more than he wanted to spend on a full-back.

But he also revealed that the huge outlay does not signal the end of his summer spending.

With Chelsea also willing to pay Portsmouth’s asking price for the England defender, Benitez admitted: “Sometimes you have to spend a little bit more.

“You can’t compete in the top four of the Premier League unless you spend some money.

“We were looking for a player of quality and also somebody who is British because of the new Champions League rules.

“Glen Johnson fits both categories.”

The player has agreed a deal with the Reds and is expected to formally put pen to paper in the next 48 hours.

And he may not be the last new face at Anfield this summer.

“We have a plan,” added Benitez. “We can sign one more player if necessary, but that’s without any players leaving.”

Benitez is bracing himself for a bid from Real Madrid for Alvaro Arbeloa. but he is also concerned by the increasing speculation surrounding midfielders Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano.

The Reds boss has made it clear that he would not welcome bids for either player, but while Real have publicly stated their interest in Alonso has ended, Barcelona are refusing to give up on Mascherano despite Benitez’s very firm hands-off warning.

First to leave, however, could be Arbeloa.

“Alvaro Arbeloa has had a very good season but he has one year left on his contract,” said the Reds boss. “If he signs that will be good because we will have more competition, but if we get a good offer we will have to consider it.”

Benitez is also hoping that on-loan players Sebastien Leto and Andriy Voronin could bring in more transfer funds, while a return to Italy for Andrea Dossena is also on the cards.

The Reds also completed the signing of two junior players yesterday.

Spanish press reported the signing of 15-year-old Jesus Joaquin Fernandez from Cadiz.

The Reds are said to have beaten off competition from Barcelona, Real Madrid, Sevilla and Villarreal for the midfielder’s services.

Liverpool have also sealed the signing of teenage striker Aaron King from Rushden and Diamonds.

King, 16, impressed during a recent trial period at Anfield and has now signed a two-year scholarship agreement.

“We are all absolutely thrilled for Aaron – this is a brilliant achievement for everyone involved in his development throughout the five years that he has been with us,” Rushden’s head of youth development Paul Driver said.

Liverpool Star Lifts Lid On Benitez Management Style

Javier Mascherano, who this morning linked with a move to Real Madrid and Barcelona, has spoken about Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez and his incredible work ethic.

The Argentina national captain, himself something of a industrious worker on the football pitch, told Spanish publication Don Balon: “He is a perfectionist - he works harder than anyone could imagine.”

“Luckily, he has renewed his contract, which has helped to relax us all.”

Despite today suggesting he was happy to be linked with a move to Barcelona and Real Madrid, the former West Ham player suggested he shared an excellent relationship with Benitez.

Mascherano continued: “It is excellent (relationship between player and coach).”

Reports this morning suggested Mascherano was unhappy at Anfield and was seeking pay parity with some of the club’s top earners. Although he was obviously delighted with the alleged interest from La Liga, the midfielder suggested he remained happy at Anfield.

“I feel happy at Liverpool, but it’s good for me to have these two teams interested in me.”

Christian Poulsen: £4M Great Dane Ideal To Replace Mascherano At Liverpool

Javier Mascherano’s future at Liverpool remains in the balance despite the club’s declarations he is staying. However, the player continues to invite attention from Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona. The Argentine star is reportedly unhappy with his current wages and his family has struggled to settle on Merseyside. If Rafa Benitez was to cash in on the £30m rated defensive midfielder an extremely cheap alternative is readily available, that player would be the Danish hardman Christian Poulsen up for grabs for just £4m.

The Juventus midfielder has suffered from a poor first season in Serie A where he has failed to establish himself as a fixture in the first eleven and the club are trying to offload him with German outfit Hamburg and Turkish side Fenerbahce showing a strong interest.
In January he was strongly linked to a loan move to Fratton Park but the player himself rejected any move. He said, “As far as I understand, there has been interest from several clubs, but it is nothing I have considered,” Poulsen told Onside.dk.

“I signed a four-year contract and I am happy to be at the club. I have no plans to run away after six months.

“I have the patience and confidence that I will get enough playing time at the club.”

However, the 29-year-old Dane may not have a choice this summer as he has not enjoyed the best of times since joining the Turin giants in the summer amidst protests from the clubs fans. He is also one of the club’s high earners so new Juventus coach Ciro Ferrara may want to offload the midfield man to lower the wage bill.

There’s no doubting the Danish international’s pedigree after an impressive career which has now spanned four countries. However, Poulsen only made 23 league appearances this season (14 starts) and has not had the impact he was hoping for in Serie A.

Poulsen faced a difficult start to his Juventus career after his own fans displayed a banner that branded the midfielder ‘rubbish’ at the club’s pre-season training camp in Pinzolo. Much of this ill-feeling towards the Dane is due not only to his high wages which are only surpassed by Buffon, Del Piero, Trezeguet, Amauri and Nedved but also due to past incidents with Italian players and clubs.

Poulsen was involved in an incident with Roma’s Francesco Totti at the 2004 European Championships which ultimately led to the Italian receiving a 3-match ban after being caught on camera spitting at the Dane. Totti gave a full public apology but still claimed that Poulsen had provoked him. There was also an incident with AC Milan in the 2005/06 Champions League whilst the Dane was a Schalke player. Poulsen was heavily criticised by Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti who branded him a ‘coward’ for his rough marking of Kaka in the first match between the two teams. In the second game Poulsen was once again involved in controversy after Gennaro Gattusso goaded him at the final whistle as Milan won 3-2.

These are not the only incidents in the Juventus midfielder’s career which includes stamping on Spurs midfielder Jermain Jenas’ head whilst with Sevilla and punching Sweden’s Marcus Rosenberg in the stomach in a Euro 2008 qualifying match. The Dane was subsequently red carded and a penalty awarded which led to a supporter running onto the pitch and attacking the referee who subsequently abandoned the game. The match was thus awarded as a 3-0 win for Sweden.

So Poulsen may come with a reputation which is backed up by the number of cards he has received in his career. In 111 League appearances in the Bundesliga, the Dane hardman received 34 yellow cards and 4 reds. In Spain he also received 18 yellow cards in just 62 League appearances.

Despite his poor discipline at times, the Danish star is also a winner. He’s won the Danish title, the German League Cup, the European Super Cup, the Uefa Cup and the Copa Del Rey. He has also been crowned Danish Player of the Year twice in 2005 and 2006.

Poulsen has made 63 appearances for Denmark (5 goals) and played in the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2004. His aggressive style makes him a perfect candidate for replacing Mascherano at Anfield. The Danish international will have a point to prove after such a poor season and at such a low price-tag would surely be one of the bargains of the summer.

Liverpool Keeper Charles Itandje Linked With Malaga

Malaga have reportedly made contact with Liverpool regarding making a move for misfit goalkeeper Charles Itandje, a man whom many Reds fans felt had disgraced himself by his somewhat inattentive and light-hearted behaviour at the sombre Hillsborough memorial service at Anfield in the spring.

With Pepe Reina and Diego Cavalieri above him in the pecking order, the Frenchman, who has been with the Reds since 2007, has found it all but impossible to force his way into Rafa Benitez's first team.

Malaga are keen to find cover for first choice glovesman Francesco Arnau, according to Sky Sports, with Inaki Goitia recently departing for Real Betis. They had been considering moving for Real Madrid's Jordi Codina, but suspect Itandje may be easier to snare.

Scouts from the Spanish club were apparently sent to England to monitor the player in recent months, and a bid can be expected shortly.

Liverpool May Listen To Offers For Alvaro Arbeloa

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has admitted the club may have to listen to offers for Alvaro Arbeloa.

The Merseysiders have reached an agreement to sign Glen Johnson from Portsmouth, who would bring direct competition for Arbeloa's position.

But Benitez is still keen to keep the Spanish international, though conceded the club would have to entertain the prospect of selling the player, with Real Madrid rumoured to be interested.

“Alvaro Arbeloa has had a very good season but he has one year left on his contract,” Benitez told The Liverpool Echo.

“If he signs that will be good because we will have more competition, but if we get a good offer we will have to consider it."

Benitez also stated the reasons for signing Johnson, despite having to pay more than he perhaps would have liked for the England star.

He continued, “Sometimes you have to spend a little bit more.

“You can’t compete in the top four of the Premier League unless you spend some money.

“We were looking for a player of quality and also somebody who is British because of the new Champions League rules. Glen Johnson fits both categories."

Liverpool Eye £8.5m Dynamo Moscow Defender Fernandez

Liverpool are interested in Dynamo Moscow defender Leandro Fernandez.

The Reds and Lazio have both held preliminary talks with Dynamo, according to reports in Russia, but they are reluctant to let the Argentine leave for less than £8.5million.

The 26-year-old has only been on the fringes of the national team but would not need a work permit because he holds an Italian passport.

The solid defender has been a favourite at Dynamo since joining from River Plate in 2006 and was named the club's player of the year in his first season in the Russian Premier League.

Johnson Agrees To Liverpool Move

Portsmouth's England defender Glen Johnson has agreed to join Liverpool in a £17.5m move.

Chelsea and Manchester City were also interested but it is thought Anfield was his preferred destination.

Johnson had limited first-team chances at Chelsea in his spell there, but established himself in the England team after his move to Portsmouth in 2007.

It is understood Pompey still owe Liverpool £7m from the deal that saw them buy Peter Crouch last summer.

A Liverpool statement said: "We have reached an agreement with Portsmouth and Glen Johnson for the transfer of the player to Anfield."

Johnson will be Liverpool's first signing this summer and as the club are operating under financial restrictions, boss Rafael Benitez is likely to sell Andrea Dossena to help fund the deal.

Portsmouth paid £4m for 24-year-old right-back Johnson, who emerged as Benitez's prime target after having an outstanding season at Fratton Park last season.

Spanish defender Alvaro Arbeloa could also be sacrificed to raise cash towards the Johnson deal, with Real Madrid being linked with an £8m move.

Johnson signed a new four-year deal at Portsmouth in January, but club officials accepted they could not stand in his way if he was offered the opportunity to move to a club playing in the Champions League.

Liverpool Close To Bank Debt Deal

Liverpool Football Club - which owes two banks £350m - is close to renegotiating its debt with the Royal Bank of Scotland, the BBC has learnt.

RBS has told club owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett the debt, due to be repaid in July, will be refinanced.

BBC business editor Robert Peston says RBS will insist on significant payments in the subsequent six months.

It comes as Portsmouth's defender Glen Johnson has agreed to join Liverpool in a £17.5m move.

Our business editor says the good news for Liverpool FC supporters is that the club is not about to go bust.

"I understand that Royal Bank of Scotland has told its two billionaire owners, George Gillett and Tom Hicks, that their £350m debt - which falls due for repayment on 24 July and is owed to Royal Bank and Wachovia of the US - will be refinanced.

"A new lending agreement will be put on place."

A spokesman for the US pair would not comment on the development.

The other bank owed money, Wachovia, has yet to make any announcement.

Latest accounts show Kop Holdings, the parent company of the Anfield club, lost £42.6m in the year to August 2008.

The RBS revelation comes days after Liverpool co-owner George Gillett agreed to sell one of his major assets in a deal which would ease financial pressures at the Premier League club.

He is selling his stake in the NHL's Montreal Canadiens ice hockey team, in a deal reported to be worth at least $550m (£332.9m).

His fellow Liverpool owner, Mr. Hicks, has also been looking to sell off elements of his own sporting empire - which includes Major League Baseball's Texas Rangers and the NHL's Dallas Stars.

The sales will help provide financial guarantees for RBS and Wachovia about the funds Mr. Gillett and Mr. Hicks have available for the operation of the football business.

Liverpool FC's Fernando Torres Says 'Our Time Is Coming'

Fernando Torres has brushed off a fresh round of Liverpool exit rumours with George Gillett’s proposed sale of his ice hockey club Montreal Canadiens offering hope that the financial cloud over Anfield could be lifted.

Reports yesterday suggested that just a week after Torres was linked with a shock move to bitter North West rivals Manchester United, Chelsea are now planning to test Liverpool’s resolve over their Spanish striker with an audacious £50million 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 on Merseyside – 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 $550million (£330m).

Gillett put the Canadiens up for sale earlier this year as he looks to find funds to meet obligations on debt incurred as part of his takeover of Liverpool in partnership with Hicks.

The sale includes Gillett’s 80% stake in the team, the Bell Centre arena, and the Gillett Entertainment Group. Brewing moguls the Molsons, who sold the controlling interest in the team to Gillett for around $75m (£165m) in 2001, already own the remaining 20% share.

“This is a very exciting time for our family and we are grateful to the many people and organisations who came forward to offer their collaboration in the development of our proposal,” Geoff Molson said.

The sale must first be approved by the NHL’s Board of Governors, and will likely not be completed for several more weeks.

The NHL’s approval of the sale would, however, seemingly be only a matter of course.

While Hicks and Gillett have been seeking other investors for Liverpool, they have so far come back empty-handed, meaning funds from a sale of the Canadiens could be needed to help cover upcoming payments.

Hicks has also been seeking to sell off elements of his own sporting empire – which includes Major League Baseball’s Texas Rangers and the NHL’s Dallas Stars.

Hicks’s situation is further complicated as the Hicks Sports Group in April defaulted on a £325m loan ($525m) relating to the Rangers and Stars.

Meanwhile, Liverpool coach Mauricio Pellegrino has failed to rule out the possibility of Javier Mascherano leaving Anfield.

“Every time negotiations are under way, money always makes the decision,” Pellegrino said.

“Anyway, Mascherano is such an important player for us, like other ones can be for Barca.

“I do not want to say anything about it because we already know that in football’s world, nothing is impossible.”

Liverpool Face Triple Wage Demands From Javier Mascherano

Liverpool’s expected signing of Glen Johnson is likely to increase the pressure from Javier Mascherano for a substantial wage increase as Barcelona hope to exploit the player’s unhappiness at Anfield.

Mascherano, despite his importance to Rafa Benitez’s side, currently remains one of the lowest paid first team players on Liverpool’s books on £25,000 a week and the player is demanding closer parity to other high earners at the club such as Fernando Torres, who is paid over three times that amount.

With Mascherano’s Argentina international team-mate Carlos Tevez poised to agree a deal with Manchester City that would see he earn around £120,00 a week, recent developments have only further entrenched Mascherano’s belief that he is undervalued at Anfield.

According to a report in the Mirror newspaper, Macherano is set to use Barcelona’s interest in him as leverage to strike a new deal.

Benitez is insistent that the player will not be sold and has slapped a prohibitive £50 million price tag on his head, a figure the Catalans have balked at.

However, the ongoing uncertainty over Mascherano’s standing at Liverpool has given the European champions encouragement that he may yet be available at a reduced fee.

The 25-year-old still has three years left on his current contract after his unhappy time at West Ham was ended when Benitez rescued him from the London club’s reserves.

Real Madrid In €45m Swoop For Liverpool Pair Alonso & Arbeloa

Just hours after Liverpool agreed a £17 million deal for Portsmouth full-back Glen Johnson, Real Madrid have tabled a €45m deal for in-demand Spanish midfielder Xabi Alonso, The Daily Mail reports.

It is also claimed that the Johnson move will prompt Alvaro Arbeloa to move to the Santiago Bernabeu for €9.5m.

Real Madrid have not given up hope in their quest to land Alonso, even though they made an offer of €23m that was rejected last month.

The new president of Madrid, Florentino Perez, has been pressured by some fans to add some home-grown Spanish players to the new Galacticos regime.

Chelsea have also made enquiries but Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez did not want to sell Alonso to one of his Premier League rivals.

The Basque player, who began his career at Real Sociedad, has made it clear he has not been happy with Benitez, and a move back to Spain may suit both parties.

Benitez also has to fight to keep another midfielder, as Barcelona are still in the hunt for Javier Mascherano.

Reina Delighted By Ronaldo And Tevez Departures

Pepe Reina has joked its two down and 20 to go as Liverpool relish the sight of Manchester United losing both Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez already this summer!

Liverpool keeper Reina admits Anfield's stars are keeping a close eye on transfer speculation in the hope that United will be weakened for next year's title race.

The champions have already lost Ronaldo to Real Madrid in an £80m deal and now that Tevez is on his way, possibly to either Man City or Chelsea, Reina hopes he won't be the last!

"Two of them have gone but there are still 20 to go," he joked. "But we'll just carry on and worry about ourselves. It wasn't nice to lose the title last season but it was nicer than when you are 30 points away from the top teams.

"We fought until the end of the league and that's something to be proud of. Hopefully next season we'll be even closer."

Reina is currently playing for Spain in the Confederations Cup and has guided them to the semi-finals after being given a rare start ahead of Iker Casillas against South Arica in the final group game.

Victory in that match, which set a new world record of 15 wins in a row for Spain, has set up a last-four clash against the United States and the possibility of a glamour final against Brazil.

Reina said: "It's going well for us and I'm proud to be part of a team like this. The first target was to be first in the group and reach the semi-final but we don't want to stop here, we have to continue to the final.

"As for me you have to be ready to play whenever you are needed. I'm always ready for the games just in case something happens because - that's the job."

Reds Make Transfer Raid

Liverpool have made a foray into the transfer market but it is not the big name the fans are craving as Rafa Benitez has snapped up teenager Aaron King from Rushden & Diamonds.

The 16-year-old has risen through the ranks with Rushden but will now get the chance to take his game to the next level at Anfield.

King made a positive impression during a trial with Liverpool and has put his name to a two-year scholarship deal.

Rushden’s head of youth development Paul Driver feels the youngster is fully deserving of his chance on the big stage.

”We are all absolutely thrilled for Aaron - this is a brilliant achievement for everyone involved in his development throughout the five years that he has been with us,” Driver told the club’s official website.

“His progress with us to get to the level where one of the 'Big 4 clubs' is prepared to offer him a scholarship also serves as further evidence of how well we have maintained our system despite the withdrawal of financial support from the football authorities in the past two seasons."

Liverpool In Financial Boost As Co-Owner George Gillett Sells NHL Team

Liverpool co-owner George Gillett has moved to strengthen his financial position ahead of the club’s refinancing deadline in July by agreeing a £330 million deal to sell Montreal Canadiens, his National Hockey League franchise.

Gillett and joint owner Tom Hicks are due to refinance their £350 million loan with the Royal Bank of Scotland and Wachovia on July 24, although the pair are expected to agree a deal to secure an extension to the deadline.

Earlier in June, Liverpool’s accountants, KPMG, warned of “significant doubt on the group’s and parent company’s [Kop Football Holdings Ltd] ability to continue as a going concern” without an extension to the £350 million loan.

The company formed by Gillett and Hicks suffered a loss of £42.6 million last year, largely on interest repayments, despite a record turnover of £164.2 million. The pair took out a loan of £350 million when they bought the club in 2007.

Both Gillett and Hicks have been actively attempting to sell their American sports franchises in recent months to raise funds to consolidate their position at Liverpool. While Gillett has struck a deal with brewing giants Molson for the Canadiens, Hicks continues to search for a buyer for his Texas Rangers baseball franchise.

The Canadiens deal has yet to be approved by the NHL’s board of governors, but although it could take up to six weeks for the sale to be ratified, it is not expected to be blocked.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said: “I think to the extent that they [Gillett] have been able to find people who are obviously passionate about the game and structure a transaction that makes sense for everybody, that’s a real plus for the franchise.”

Despite the sale of the Canadiens, uncertainty still surrounds the futures of Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano. While reports of Chelsea preparing a move for Fernando Torres have been dismissed as a non-starter on Merseyside, Real Madrid are closing in on Alonso and Barcelona remain hopeful of signing Mascherano.

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."