Liverpool Planning Audacious Bid For Tottenham Star

Liverpool is planning an audacious swoop for Tottenham Hotspur winger Aaron Lennon.

According to The People, the club's Director of Football Damien Comolli, has identified the England winger as the ideal acquisition for Kenny Dalglish's summer rebuild.

24-year-old Lennon will cost the Merseysiders at least £20 million and is seen as the perfect remedy, after the club missed out on Ashley Young, who opted to sign for rivals Manchester United for a similar fee.

Comolli is of the belief that Lennon would be open to a move back north, and that with Spurs looking to hold on to Luka Modric by making him the club's highest paid player, they will need to sell first.

Lennon, who still has three years left to run on his current deal, is the latest wide-man to be linked with Liverpool. The club have been linked with a £17 million move for want-away Aston Villa winger Stewart Downing, who has been told he will need to hand in a formal transfer request if he wishes to move on.

England International Lennon is seen as the perfect compliment to Jordan Henderson, who joined Liverpool from Sunderland for £20 million earlier this month.

Should Lennon join the club, Kenny Dalglish's total spending would be near the £100 million mark, adding to the pricey signings of Henderson as well as Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez in January.

Moussa Sissoko In Talks With Liverpool

Toulouse's Moussa Sissoko is in negotiations with Liverpool over a potential transfer, while Inter and Lyon are also frontrunners for the midfielder's signature, Goal.com have been told.

The 21-year-old is set for a high-profile move away from Le Tefece after a string of influential performances in Ligue 1 last season.

Sissoko's agent insists the France international has several offers tabled, with the offer from fellow French side Lyon being the strongest.

“The link with Lyon is serious, but it is not the only one,” said his agent, Bacary Sanogo. “There are also negotiations with Liverpool, Newcastle and Inter. Things should seriously move next week.”

However, opposition may come in the form of Toulouse president Olivier Sadran, who will reportedly not accept a bid of anything less than €15 million [£13.3m] for his prized asset.

Since Sissoko has two years left on his contract, Sanogo has refused to rule out the possibility of his client remaining with Toulouse if a transfer deal cannot be struck this summer.

“His priority is a club with a major sporting project. But it will not pose a problem to Moussa [to remain with Toulouse].”

Liverpool Refusing To Budge On £6m Valuation Of Adam

Blackpool may be forced to sell captain Charlie Adam for only half the £12million they wanted in January.

Liverpool is unwilling to pay more than £6m for the 25-year-old, who was the subject of a bidding war between them and Spurs six months ago.

Blackpool's relegation has meant Adams' price has dropped, particularly as he only has a year left on his contract.

Liverpool have not registered a formal bid in this window and are prepared to be patient as they believe Adam would ideally like a move to Anfield. Aston Villa and Tottenham may also bid as the asking price drops.

Liverpool are also looking at Villa winger Stewart Downing and have monitored Lyon defender Dejan Lovren.

Liverpool Set To Miss Out On Dimitri Payet

Lille is closing in on Saint-Etienne winger Dimitri Payet, despite an interest from Liverpool.

Goal.com UK revealed Reds director Damien Comolli is eager to lure the 24-year-old to Anfield, but he is not keen on matching the French club's asking price, around €12.3 million (£11 m).

Rather, he has valued the player at €6.7 m. (£5.9m) That appears to have left the French champions with a window to move for Payet as L'Equipe reports the France international could complete a transfer north within days.

The former Nantes player is said to have spoken with Lille directors over personal terms and he has been guaranteed regular football by coach Rudi Garcia.

Saint-Etienne president Roland Romeyer expects big developments within the next few days as he declared: "We are talking and I hope things are concluded next week."

Paris Saint-Germaine has also been linked with the Frenchman who is tied to his current club until 2013.

Villarreal Beat Liverpool To Zapata?

Liverpool look to have been beaten in the race for Udinese defender Cristian Zapata, as he seems to be heading to Villarreal.

The Reds had been heavily linked with the Colombian international centre-back a couple of weeks ago.

However, according to Spanish newspaper Marca, Udinese have a deal in place with Villarreal.

The 'Yellow Submarine' director of sport Antonio Cordon has reportedly secured an agreement for €6m plus ownership of Javier Matilla.

Although Matilla is part of the exchange, he will be loaned out to Granada, the Liga club owned by Udinese patrons the Pozzo family.

Young Reds Star For England

Liverpool Academy starlet Brad Smith played the entire 90 minutes as England secured top spot in Group C of the FIFA U17 World Cup with a 2-0 victory over Uruguay on Saturday night.

Goals from Nathaniel Chalobah and Max Clayton ensured the Young Lions cruise through to the knockout stages having tallied seven points from their three matches in Mexico.

Smith was joined on the field by fellow Liverpool youngster Jack Dunn, who was introduced to the action as a 71st minute substitute.

Raheem Sterling, Matty Regan, Adam Morgan and Tyrell Belford watched the contest unfold from the bench.

England will now meet Argentina in Pachuca on June 30.

Petter Harrison Won't Let Andy Carroll Go

Peter Harrison is refusing to give up the fight in his legal wrangle with Liverpool striker Andy Carroll.

Peter Harrison, Andy Carroll’s former agent, withdrew his case against him on legal advice at an FA arbitration hearing last week.

But Harrison is now demanding a personal FA hearing over his claim that Carroll was in breach of contract when he switched the handling of his affairs to rival agent Mark Curtis.

Harrison insists he had a contract with Carroll, 22, until March and took his case to the FA, claiming loss of earnings over the five-year deal the player agreed with Newcastle last October.

Meanwhile, hotshot Carroll is hoping next summer will be gold-en.

The England star hopes to play for Team GB at the London Olympics.

And a source close to the striker said: “Andy’s grandparents come from Scotland and playing for GB next summer would really please them.”

Reserves To Face Waterford

A Liverpool XI will take on Waterford United next month as part of a two-match pre-season tour of Ireland.

Rodolfo Borrell's Reds side will go head-to-head with the Blues at the Waterford Regional Sports Centre on Wednesday, July 20, kick-off 7.45pm.

Waterford United vice-chairman Sam White said: "We're delighted to be able to welcome a club of the stature of Liverpool to the RSC.

"It will be a great, historic, occasion for Waterford United, and hopefully a great boost for the city also.

"Liverpool has huge support throughout the country, and it's a great opportunity for Reds fans from all over the South East, and further afield, to come and see the Anfield stars of the future."

Last week, it was confirmed a Liverpool XI will play Bray Wanderers on Monday, July 18 at the Carlisle Grounds in Bray, Co. Wicklow, kick-off 7.45pm.

Stewart Downing Set To Hand In Aston Villa Transfer Request To Force Through Liverpool move

Aston Villa winger Stewart Downing is set to hand in a transfer request in an attempt to speed up his protracted move to Liverpool, according to reports in the The Mirror.

Downing has been the subject of keen interest from Liverpool, and the England winger is keen on joining Kenny Dalglish’s team - although Aston Villa are reluctant to lose the former Middlesbrough winger after seeing Ashley Young join Manchester United.

The 26-year-old has two years remaining on his current contract but has no intention of renewing his deal. However, Liverpool must find a compromise with Villa, who has slapped a £19 million asking price on the player.

Downing has 27 caps for England but believes a move to Liverpool would help boost his chances of securing a more regular starting role in the national side.

Aston Villa are keen to keep the player but it is thought they would reluctantly accept a sizeable fee as they look to raise some transfer funds for new manager Alex McLeish, who has been linked with moves for Scott Dann and Ben Foster from his former club, Birmingham City.

Unsettled Diego On Anfield radar

Liverpool is reportedly considering bidding for Werder Bremen playmaker Diego.

Diego was this list week fined a massive €500,000 (£443,000) for storming out of the club's hotel when learning he was not to start the club's final game of last season. The Brazilian international is said to be keen on leaving the Bundesliga side whom he joined last summer.

The unsettled playmaker is said to be on Anfield director of football Damien Comolli's transfer wish-list and the 26 year old may be offloaded by Wolfsburg boss Felix Magath. The former Juventus man also was fined earlier in the season for taking a penalty, which he subsequently missed, which he was not designated to take.

Diego's overall form over the last campaign was mixed but the pint sized midfielder did weigh in with crucial performances that eventually help steer Wolfsburg away from relegation in what was a very poor season for the club overall. The Volkswagen backed side had won the title back in 2008/09 but finished last season in 15th spot in the Bundesliga, during which time Steve McClaren was fired and star striker Edin Dzeko was sold to Man City.

Liverpool is keen to bring in more creative talent and are said to be closing in on Blackpool talisman Charlie Adam and having already signed Sunderland youngster Jordan Henderson, Kenny Dalglish is expected to bring in further signings to help push his side back into the top four next term.

Diego had been strongly linked with a move to Liverpool during Rafa Benitez's spell at the club and the much traveled midfielder may be looking for a fresh start after stuttering seasons with Juventus and Wolfsburg.

Tony Pulis Eye Possible Double Swoop From Liverpool

ClubCall announced that Stoke City Manager Tony Pulis is possibly interested in a double move for Liverpool's Christian Poulsen and David N'Gog.

Poulsen never got his career off the ground for the Reds, despite reiterating desire to fight for his place he will most likely move on this summer.

David N'Gog has seen an offer from Sunderland recently but it looks to be that he will refuse as they will not match his wage demands.

Pulis had great success with former Liverpool wide man Jermaine Pennant, whom he signed permanently last season, and could be seeing an opportunity to make good on some other Reds outkasts.

Mata Shrugs Off Speculation

Juan Mata has sought to distance himself from mounting speculation regarding his future.

The Valencia winger is currently away on international duty with the Spanish U21 side, as they go in search of European Championship glory.

Mata is determined to add that prize to his collection, having formed part of the senior Spain squad that lifted the World Cup in 2010.

A number of eye-catching displays have helped the U21 side to make it through to Saturday's final, where they will meet Switzerland.

Mata has also drawn plenty of admiring glances for the manner in which he has helped guide Spain through the tournament.

Reports suggest he could be the next high-profile departure from Valencia, following the sales of David Villa and David Silva last summer.

The likes of Liverpool and Barcelona are reported to have expressed an interest, but for now the talented playmaker is keen to put transfer talk firmly to one side.

He told AS: "I would rather focus on the final against Switzerland at the moment.

"I don't know if it will be a long summer. At this point I am only thinking about winning the European championship and hopefully returning to Spain with a title that will allow me to enjoy my holidays."

Boudebouz Snubs Liverpool

Reported Liverpool target Ryad Boudebouz says he has no interest in leaving Sochaux and believes he needs another year in France.

The Reds are thought to have been weighing up whether to offer £5million for the Algeria international after his impressive season in Ligue 1.

The 21-year-old scored eight goals as Sochaux secured a place in the Europa League.

Liverpool director of football Damien Comolli is thought to have gone to France in January in the hope off securing the midfielder during the winter transfer window.

However, Sochaux knocked the Reds back at the time and it looks as though they will miss out again after he stated his intentions to stay with his current club for at least another season.

"I would want to stay here for a further year," said Boudebouz.

"It is for the president to decide. It is true when I say that I'm with Sochaux 100% but we know that things happen fast in football so all I'm going to say for now is that I'm not looking to leave."

Lucas Eyes Up Trophies With Brazil

Lucas Leiva is ready to step into the lion’s den and spearhead Brazil’s push for an historic triumph. The Liverpool midfielder is in Argentina preparing for the Copa America which gets under way next Friday.

It will be Lucas’ first senior tournament with the Samba stars who are gunning for an unprecedented hat-trick of South American titles.

Coach Mano Menezes’ young side has been unconvincing in their warm-up games and is guaranteed a red-hot reception in the backyard of their fiercest rivals.

But Lucas is confident they will rise to the challenge and is relishing the opportunity to showcase his development on the big stage.

“It’s my first official competition with Brazil and I can’t wait for it,” he said.

“It means a lot – to play for Brazil is the highest target you can have.

“I know how difficult it is to get into this squad when you are competing against so many good players. It’s reward for what I’ve done for Liverpool and now I want to help Brazil do well.

“When you are playing in the country of your biggest rivals that makes it more difficult. I’m sure we will have more fans against us than for us.

“We know the people in Brazil love football so much and the expectation level is always really high. There will be a lot of pressure but I’m used to that from playing for Liverpool.

“It’s our first competition under the new manager.

“We have a very young team and are building for 2014.

“That’s the big target but when you go into any tournament like this you have to go into it focused purely on winning it.

“Brazil must always be one of the favourites to win and I want to help make history.”

The Copa America comes after a whirlwind few months for the 24-year-old.

The birth of his first son Pedro Lucas was followed by recognition that he has established himself as a key member of Kenny Dalglish’s Liverpool side.

A new long-term contract to keep him at Anfield was finalized before he was deservedly crowned the Reds’ player of the year.

His progress has also seen him hold down a regular spot in the Brazilian midfield alongside Chelsea’s Ramires.

Menezes, who was Lucas’ manager at Gremio prior to his £6m switch to Anfield in 2007, has entrusted him with the coveted No 5 shirt worn by the likes of Dunga and Mauro Silva.

“A lot of big players have worn that shirt,” he admitted.

“It is really important. In Brazil they think everything starts with the No 5.

“For me it’s just a pleasure to wear that shirt and have the opportunity to play for Brazil.

“The manager has known me since I was 18. He knows me well but there are no favours.

“Everyone in the squad deserves to be there because of the form they have produced for their clubs.

“I try to prove myself in every game and show that I’m capable of being in the national team.

“It will be great if I can achieve good things with Brazil.”

Menezes took over from Dunga last summer and is tasked with developing a side capable of winning the 2014 World Cup on home soil.

Brazil is a work in progress, highlighted by their two friendlies earlier this month when a goalless draw with Dirk Kuyt’s Holland was followed by a 1-0 win over Romania.

All eyes will be fixed on striking sensation Neymar.

“The exciting 19-year-old joined up with the squad on a high this week after firing Santos to glory in the final of the Copa Libertadores against Uruguayan outfit Penarol.

Neymar has been strongly linked with a bumper move to Chelsea or Real Madrid and Lucas is in no doubt about his talent.

“He’s a fantastic player and one of the biggest talents we have at the moment in Brazil,” Lucas said.

“We know Chelsea tried to sign him before but he decided to stay in Brazil. Neymar’s been doing really well in Brazil and I’m really looking forward to watching him over the next few years.

“In time I know he will come to Europe and play for a big team.”

Brazil start their campaign against Venezuela next Sunday and also face group games against Paraguay (July 9) and Ecuador (July 13). If Brazil are going to retain their grip on the trophy they are likely to face a semi-final clash with Luis Suarez’s Uruguay prior to a final showdown with arch-rivals and pre-tournament favourites Argentina.

Lucas could find himself locking horns with Lionel Messi in Buenos Aires on July 24.

“Messi is the greatest player I’ve ever come up against,” he said.

“I played against him in the semis of the Olympics in China in 2008 and then when we played Argentina in a friendly last year he scored in the last minute. We know he’s in a very good moment and it’s hard to stop him.

“Argentina has the best player in the world and they are always really strong but Uruguay will also be tough. They did very well in the World Cup and have very good players like Luis.

“Luis and I have been talking about maybe facing each other in the quarter-final or semi-final. That would be a great occasion but hopefully Brazil will do better.

“If Brazil play against Argentina in the final then the world will stop to watch. The rivalry is massive.

“It will be a very good competition to watch and to play in. I can’t wait for it to start.”

Carragher Admits He Would Like To Become Club's Youth Coach After Retiring

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has admitted he would be keen on coaching the club's youth team when he retires from playing.

The 33-year-old is keen to remain at the club he has played for since 1996, making more than 500 appearances on Anfield.

"I want to carry on playing but maybe in the future, that will be up to the club," he told Chinese reporters ahead of the club's tour to the Far East this summer. "That's something I'll look at because you want to help Liverpool in anyway you can.

"I think we've seen two new young players in the last few weeks, [John] Flanagan and [Jack] Robinson at full-backs and Jay Spearing. The youth team is very good."

Carragher also praised Kenny Dalglish after his return to the manager's seat at Anfield, he said: "Kenny has brought a lot of positivity to the club. He has been a great galvanizing figure for the club."

Reds To Visit Singapore

Singapore Reds can look forward to another memorable summer as Liverpool Football Club are returning to the country which gave us so many happy memories two years ago.

With the planned visit to Korea having been cancelled earlier this month, the Reds have taken the exciting opportunity to return to Singapore for a special training session on the third leg of their Standard Chartered sponsored pre-season tour of Asia.

Kenny Dalglish's squad will travel to Singapore - where they enjoyed an unforgettable welcome back in 2009 - immediately after their friendly game in Malaysia on July 16 and will train in front of invited supporters at a training session the following evening before their flight back to Liverpool.

Liverpool In £10m Charlie Adam Talks

Liverpool will hold talks with Blackpool this weekend in a bid to finally sign Charlie Adam.

The Anfield club are said to be tabling a £10m offer for the 25-year-old midfielder, aimed a seeing off interest from Aston Villa.

Manchester United could also enter the market for Adam, who is a fan of the Old Trafford club.

But Liverpool are now firm favourites to land the man they bid £8m for in January, with Blackpool chairman Karl Oyston expected to meet Anfield director of football Damien Comolli tomorrow, according to the Blackpool Gazette.

Liverpool To Swoop For World Cup Star

Liverpool are set to make a move for Algerian midfielder Ryad Boudebouz in the coming weeks.

The Algerian, who starred at last summer's World Cup, currently plays his trade at FC Sochaux-Montbeliard, but Kenny Dalglish has identified him as a potential transfer target after sending scouts to France last season.

According to Italian website Tuttomercatoweb, the 21-year-old is keen to test himself in the Premier League, with Liverpool willing to pay the €7 million required to obtain his services.

Boudebouz has been ear-marked as a great talent, and is seen as the more affordable option, with the British market currently over-inflated.

The midfielder had an impressive season last year, finding the net eight times. Although he is more accustomed to attacking, it is his ability to assist which is most attractive.

Having played for France at youth level, Boudebouz switch allegiances in order to play for Algeria.

He is the latest target, highlighted by Kenny Dalglish and Director of Football Strategy Damien Commoli, as young talent who can move the club forward.

Dalglish Considers £15m Move For Swiss Wing Wizard

A host of European clubs including Liverpool have been put on alert after Swiss club Basel put a £15m valuation on star player Xherdan Shaqiri, talkSPORT has reported.

The football site claims the 19-year-old winger could have been available for as little as £5m back in January but his club will now be demanding three times that amount.

That's because in the last six months, Shaqiri's stock has risen considerably after some stunning displays for both club and country.

His class was confirmed by his man-of-the-match display against England at Wembley earlier this month, whilst he has shone at the current Under-21 European Championships in Denmark.

talkSPORT claim Bundesliga club Bayern Munich are the ones who have expressed the keenest interest in Shaqiri but a number of Premier League clubs are monitoring the Swiss star.

Newly appointed Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish is said to have targeted Shaqiri as a replacement for Manchester United-bound Ashley Young.

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish is another manager thought to be tracking the highly-rated winger.

The Scot is eager to add wide players to his squad and has turned his attentions to Shaqiri after missing out on Young to United.

The promising teenager also fits the profile of Liverpool's transfer policy of recruiting young and talented players that can be shaped into world-beaters.

Shaqiri's contract does not expire until 2014 which puts Basel in a strong position when the time comes to cash in on their prized asset.

Reds Miss Out On Lucas Marcelinho

It appears that Liverpool have missed out on the signature of 18 year old Brazilian player-maker Lucas Marcelinho as reported on the Reds official website, which gave their source as givemefootball.com.

Marcelinho has been playing so well for his club Sao Paulo, that he has earned an international call to the national team. His playing style has been compared to an existing Brazilian playmaker Kaka, with speed, good passing and typical Brazilian dribbling skills.

Liverpool has been left staggered by the Euro 79 million release clause in Marcelinho's current club contract, which has all but ended the interest Liverpool had in him. The Brazilian giant is not willing to lose their young star players and is hoping that this information will put a stop to anymore interest in the playmaker.

It is looking like manager Kenny Dalglish will have to look elsewhere, when looking for an attacking midfield that he has been after.