Liverpool And Newcastle Agree £8m Deal For Jose Enrique

Liverpool has agreed an £8 million deal to sign full-back Jose Enrique from Newcastle United and hope to wrap up the move by the end of the week.

Executives from both clubs are tying up details today on a move that will see Newcastle receive an initial £6m with an agreement for a further £2m to be paid in add-ons depending on performance-related targets.

Once a deal is formally struck, Enrique will be given permission to discuss personal terms with Liverpool and undergo a medical on Merseyside. The 25-year-old has indicated his desire to move to Anfield.

Reds manager Kenny Dalglish and director of football Damien Comolli hope to have Enrique in place by the end of the week as they prepare for their Premier League opener against Sunderland on August 13.

Enrique has many admirers on Merseyside and has long been pencilled in as the leading candidate to fill the club's problem left-back position. His arrival will take their summer spending over the £50m mark as he joins new recruits Jordan Henderson, Charlie Adam and Stewart Downing.

The Spaniard's contract at Newcastle expires next summer and last week he was fined two weeks' wages for Twitter rant directed towards owner Mike Ashley. His departure will add to the discontent among Newcastle fans following the announcement on Monday that midfielder Joey Barton would be allowed to leave the club on a free transfer.

With Enrique desperate to leave, Ashley decided to cash in now rather than risk losing one of the team's star performers on a free transfer next season and having another bad influence in the dressing room.

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has been resigned to Enrique's departure all summer and failed in a deal to sign Neil Taylor from Swansea as a potential replacement.

With youngster Shane Ferguson set to be the only recognized left-back remaining at the club, Pardew has been linked with moves for Manchester City's Wayne Bridge and Aston Villa full-back Stephen Warnock.

David Ngog Could Be On His Way To West Ham United

West Ham United is weighing up a move for out-of-favour Liverpool striker David Ngog according to The Sun.

The 22-year-old Frenchman has found first team football difficult to come by following the arrival of Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll in January.

Hammers boss Sam Allardyce is busy building an Upton Park squad capable of an immediate return to the Barclays Premier League, and Ngog has been identified as a player to spearhead the West Ham attack.

Reds boss Kenny Dalglish is keen to relieve a number of players from the Liverpool wage bill, after a busy summer spending that has seen the likes of Jordan Henderson, Charlie Adam, Stewart Downing and Alexander Doni all move to Anfield ahead of the 2011-12 campaign.

As a result, Dalglish and Co. would be prepared to let Ngog leave Merseyside, but the £5.5million fee they are holding out for is unlikely to be forthcoming from West Ham - who has been forced to re-evaluate their finances following relegation to the Npower Championship.

Another potential sticking point is Ngog's wages - he is thought to earn in excess of £45,000 per week at Liverpool, while West Ham will be looking to offer less.

With Carlton Cole and Frederic Piquionne the only recognized senior strikers in the Hammers' first-team squad, Allardyce is keen to add another forward to his east end ranks before the season opener against Cardiff City on Saturday.

Liverpool Plan To Sign Joey Barton As Cover For Steven Gerrard

Given that Liverpool have a fair few options when it comes to stand-ins for Steven Gerrard a move to sign Joey Barton for that reason seems far fetched, however in the long run perhaps Kenny Dalglish feels a move to sign the 28 year old for free is too good a chance to turn down.

The local born England hopeful may be keen on a move to Anfield and apparently the former Man City man is being pursued by a number of club’s following his release from Newcastle United following his recent Twitter outbursts against the Magpies board and in particular owner Mike Ashley.

Dalglish has spent a great deal this summer and one area that he would appear to not need back up is his midfield. At present the Liverpool boss has the following options to fill the central and right sided areas that Barton plies his trade in: Charlie Adam, Raul Meireles, Dirk Kuyt, Alberto Aquilani, Jordan Henderson, Lucas, Jay Spearing, Christian Poulsen and Joe Cole.

Barton has a good season last term and has gone some way to shaking his ‘bad boy’ tag and the talented midfielder will want to sign a deal to join another side fairly sharpish, so as to avoid missing out on selection on the final pre-season warm up games for whomever he joins.

Ryan Shawcross Won't Be Sold To Liverpool

Stoke City have issued a clear hands-off warning to leading suitors Liverpool, amid reports they are preparing a £12million transfer offer for the defender.

Potters chairman Peter Coates is refusing to let the centre-half leave with the new Premier League season on the horizon and a crucial Europa League qualifying tie with Croatian side Hajduk Split next week.

Reds manager Kenny Dalglish is keen to secure a defender, and is said to be tracking Shawcross closely.

But Stoke have told the Scot in no uncertain terms that the 23-year-old will not be leaving this summer.

With Shawcross ruled out, Birmingham City's Scott Dann is now being linked with Anfield.

Milan Jovanovic Set To Join Anderlecht

Anderlecht has struck a deal to sign out-of-favour striker Milan Jovanovic from Liverpool with the move expected to go through once the Serbian passes a medical this week.

Jovanovic was brought to Liverpool by former boss Rafael Benitez last summer from Standard Liege but has since fallen out of favour at Anfield and hasn’t started a game for the Reds since January.

Anderlecht released a statement on Tuesday confirming a deal had been agreed with Liverpool for the Serbian striker.

‘RSC Anderlecht and Liverpool FC reached today, Tuesday, August 2, 2011, an agreement on the transfer of Liverpool striker Milan Jovanovic,’ the Belgium club announced.

Anderlecht’s director of football Herman van Holsbeeck described the negotiations with Liverpool over Jovanovic’s transfer as being ‘long but fruitful’.

He also praised Jovanovic's ‘undeniable talent’ and ‘requisite experience’.

Liverpool confirmed the deal with a one line statement which read: ‘Liverpool confirmed this evening they have reached agreement with Anderlecht for the transfer of Milan Jovanovic.’

QPR Step Up Move For Joe Cole On Season-Long Loan

Liverpool is weighing up whether to offload Joe Cole to QPR in a season-long loan move.

The Barclays Premier League new boys are hoping to strike a deal with the Reds over the England midfielder, who has failed to impress since joining from Chelsea last summer.

Liverpool could be ready to pick up a third of Cole's wage packet while he plays for the Loftus Road outfit, according to talkSPORT.

QPR face competition from Cole's former club West Ham, who are also interested in bringing him back to Upton Park on a season-long loan as they chase promotion back to the top flight at the first attempt.

Cole has found himself on the periphery of the team in an injury-hit first season at Liverpool, and Kenny Dalglish's arrival in January only served to push him further into the margins.

The 29-year-old playmaker has featured heavily during the club's pre-season matches, but did not do his chances any good with an anonymous display in the embarrassing 3-0 loss to Hull on July 23.

But Dalglish's assistant Steve Clarke last month appeared to offer Cole a lifeline, suggesting he would get another chance to convince the Reds hierarchy that his future belongs at the club.

'At the end of last season he (Cole) was not getting in the team because the team was playing well,' said Clarke. 'But he has trained hard and gone away and had a good summer.

'Joe Cole is a top international player. He has got a big contribution to make to the future. He is the same Joe Cole I coached at Chelsea, just a couple of years older and a little wiser. He has always had this same fantastic attitude.

'He knows the position he is in. It has been difficult for him because he has not been involved but, when he gets the chance, it is up to him to take it.'

Dalglish Leaves Door Open For Aquilani

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish has left the door open for Alberto Aquilani to remain at Anfield this season.

The Italy international has been heavily linked with a move this summer following his return to the Reds after a year on loan at Juventus.

Fiorentina wanted to take him on another season-long loan but Aquilani rejected their approach last week saying that if he leaves Liverpool again he wants it to be on a permanent basis.

AC Milan has also expressed an interest in the 27-year-old midfielder but his future remains uncertain.

Aquilani caught the eye after coming off the bench late on in the Reds' 3-3 draw with Valerenga in Oslo on Monday night.

He set up two goals for Daniel Agger and almost netted himself with a spectacular volley.

“Alberto is a very good footballer full stop, irrespective of where he is playing,” Dalglish said.

“If he's here for the start of the season that wouldn't be a problem.”

Aquilani's agent Franco Zavaglia still expects his client to return to Italy and believes it would take a bid in the region of £9million for Liverpool to agree to sell him.

Zavaglia intends to hold talks with AC Milan vice president Adriano Galliani when he returns from China next week following their Italian Super Cup meeting with Inter in Beijing on Saturday.

Agger Fumes At Pre-Season Defending

Liverpool's Daniel Agger has slammed the club's defence, claiming that their pre-season displays so far have not been good enough.

Liverpool have let in 15 goals in their five warm-up games and leaked another three in the 3-3 draw with Valerenga on Monday night. And with the club struggling to bring in new defenders before the start of the new season, Agger has said that the current crop need to improve.

"On Monday it just wasn't good enough, especially in the first half,'' he said.”The second was OK but it still wasn't what it needs to be. The amount of goals we've conceded is not good enough. We need to show we can keep a clean sheet and must defend better.

"If you are a footballer, you have to be a perfectionist and so far we have to admit it's not been good enough. Kenny [Dalglish] has his way of getting his point across and has said himself that we need to be streetwise - that's what we have got to do."

A strong Liverpool line-up struggled in Norway and goalkeeper Pepe Reina, playing in his first pre-season game, was left fuming at some of the defending.

"We have a lot of work ahead of us - we cannot afford to concede so many goals,'' he said. ''We have some new signings and are still working them into our system but to let in three is not our identity. We must be optimistic but we were far behind United last year and need to improve."

Dutchman Dirk Kuyt, though, thinks that he and the rest of the strikers must shoulder their share of the blame.

He insisted: "We are letting in too many but we have to defend like a team. That starts from the front. I'm not concerned as it's still pre-season and I'm sure if we do that a little bit better, then we'll be ready."

Reina Issues Rallying Cry

Goalkeeper Pepe Reina believes it is not in Liverpool's 'identity' to concede as many goals as they have done this pre-season.

The Reds have shipped 15 goals in five games, conceding three times in each encounter against somewhat weaker opposition.

Hull City, Galatasaray and Norwegian minnows Valerenga are just some of the teams who have troubled Kenny Dalglish's men this summer.

The Scot has, at times, been forced to field weakened sides and certain new signings are still finding their feet, but Reina is not using that as an excuse.

"We have a lot of work ahead of us," the Spaniard told The Times. "We cannot afford to concede so many goals. To let in three is not our identity.

"We have some new signings and we are still working them into our system."

Match Report: Valarenga 3 - 3 Liverpool

Liverpool shipped another three goals as their latest pre-season friendly, against Valerenga ended in a 3-3 draw.

Following 3-0 defeats to both Hull and Galatasaray, the Reds at least got on the scoresheet and it was a much improved performance from Kenny Dalglish's side.

Dalglish named a full strength side featuring new signings Stewart Downing, Jordan Henderson and Charlie Adam and was rewarded by some sparkling attacking football.

But the defensive frailties remained and the visitors found themselves 2-0 down inside 20 minutes, Lars Strand scoring from close range on 14 and Fegor Ogude doubling their lead from the penalty spot (18) - with Glen Johnson culpable on both occasions.

Andy Carroll pulled a goal back after hooking home a Downing cross on 42 and from that point on, Liverpool dominated.

Charlie Adam was a whisker away from firing in a long-range equaliser just after the restart whilst Valeranga keeper Gudmund Taksdal Kongshavn pulled off a string of superb saves to keep his side ahead.

But Kongshavn was finally beaten on 83 as Daniel Agger crashed in a header and the Denmark defender looked to have become an unlikely matchwinner when he volleyed in from close range five minutes later.

However, Liverpool was denied victory in the dying seconds as Mohammed Fellah equalised with a shot that seemed deceive a flat-footed Pepe Reina.

Kenny: Hard Work Ahead

Kenny Dalglish admits there is still work to do ahead of our season opener in two weeks' time following a 3-3 draw with Valerenga on Monday night.

The boss was pleased with the performance of his players during the second half in Oslo as two late goals from Daniel Agger ensured the game ended level.

Andy Carroll had earlier bagged his second goal of pre-season by converting one of several accurate crosses from Stewart Downing.

Dalglish told Liverpoolfc.tv: "It was obviously more pleasing in the second half, we were closing down higher up the pitch. In the first half we stood off. They wanted time to play and we gave them time to play.

"You've got Pepe (Reina) back after his operation, Daniel Agger back, which was good. Raheem (Sterling) got a wee run. Stephen Sama got a wee run as well, so there are some positives.

"We've got to start looking towards the (league) games. The important thing is we've got to be better when we don't have the ball - but the boys aren't shy of hard work. There's an educated week's training ahead."

The trip to Norway brings to an end the travelling for this pre-season, with the Reds having visited China, Malaysia, Singapore and Turkey before Monday's game.

Dalglish has one more match to fine tune his side for the season opener against Sunderland - a showpiece friendly against Valencia at Anfield.

Dalglish added: "The travelling is necessary nowadays because of the stature of the club. It's something we have to do and something we're glad to do. You want to show gratitude to people for their fantastic support. Coming here is much the same - it's a pleasure to come here and play.

"We've had a wee bit of travel but that's to be expected. That won't impinge in any way, shape or form the work we're going to have to do."

Reds Sweat On Duo

Injured Liverpool duo Raul Meireles and Martin Skrtel are in a race against time to be fit for the start of the new season.

Both players sat out the penultimate pre-season friendly, as the Reds drew 3-3 in Norway against Valarenga - conceding at least three goals for the fifth game in a row.

Portuguese star Meireles is currently sidelined with a foot problem, but it's believed that the injury is just bruising and the former Porto man should be fit for the opening weekend.

Meanwhile, Skrtel, who played every minute of every Premier League game last season, is struggling with a calf injury and is more of a concern for Kenny Dalglish.

Pepe Reina got through his first game since a double hernia operation unscathed and the Spanish international is expected to feature again on Saturday, in the final friendly against Valencia.

Dynamo Kiev Defender Gerson Magrao Emerges As Reds Target

Liverpool have reportedly identified Dynamo Kiev defender Gerson Magrao as a potential summer acquisition.

According to talkSPORT, the £5 million-rated Brazilian has been pinpointed by the Reds as a possible replacement for Paul Konchesky, who recently left Merseyside for Leicester.

Konchesky moved to Anfield from Fulham a year ago, with then Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson splashing out £4 million to secure the signature of the former England international.

However, things did not work out as planned for Konchesky at Liverpool, and he was loaned out to Nottingham Forest, before making a permanent switch to the King Power Stadium.

Unsurprisingly, Liverpool have been linked with a number of possible replacements for Konchesky, and Magrao has emerged as the latest in a long line of reported targets.

The 26-year-old joined Kiev in 2009 from Cruzeiro, having previously spent an unsuccessful spell in Europe with Eredivisie outfit Feyenoord.

But, should Liverpool make an approach for the São Paulo-born full-back, they may struggle to be granted a work-permit, with Magrao yet to represent his country.

Juventus To Reignite Interest In Liverpool's Alberto Aquilani

Liverpool midfielder Alberto Aquilani could soon find himself returning to Juventus amid reports of coach Antonio Conte opting to implement a three-man midfield system, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.

The Anfield outfit is reportedly willing to negotiate at a reduced price, surprisingly as low as €6 million, and the new arrival of Mirko Vucinic at Juventus has also given Antonio Conte food for thought in regards to his tactical philosophy for the upcoming season.

The publication states that the Montenegrin forward's versatility would enable him to successfully be part of a 4-3-3 formation, therefore requiring the presence of another forward-thinking midfielder alongside Andrea Pirlo and other new recruit Arturo Vidal.

The 27-year-old has recently spent the past season on loan at the Stadio Olimpico, but the club decided not to pursue a permanent deal for the Italy international upon its expiration in May, after declining to meet the pre-determined fee of €16 million, leading to the signing of Andrea Pirlo on a free transfer instead.

It is thought that the only other team in for Aquilani's signature is AC Milan, who has expressed their interest in the midfielder publicly.

Fiorentina appeared to be the original frontrunners, but he has closed the door on a move to Tuscany, as he would only accept a permanent transfer, rather than a loan deal.

Aquilani Closes On €10m Milan Deal

Liverpool outcast Alberto Aquilani could be set to end his Anfield misery by joining AC Milan in a €10 million deal, according to his agent Franco Zavaglia.

Italy international Aquilani is keen to secure a permanent move back to Serie A this summer but, despite interest from Juventus and Fiorentina, no deal has been reached.

As the new season draws closer, it seems more and more likely that Aquilani, who has been involved in Liverpool's pre-season games, will feature for the Reds next season - a scenario that looked impossible only a few months ago.

However, one escape route appears to be developing, with Zavaglia intending to open talks with AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani over the 27-year-old.

"When you speak of such a negotiation, there is always an element of truth," Zavaglia told ilsussidiario.net. "Galliani is now in China for the Italian Super Cup, but I expect to talk to him when he comes back to Milan. I think an agreement could be reached for a figure around €10million."

Aquilani impressed in his cameo role during Liverpool's 3-3 friendly draw with Valerenga, but Zavaglia still thinks Kenny Dalglish is reluctant to include the player in his first-team plans, with so many options available in central midfield following the arrivals of Charlie Adam and Jordan Henderson.

"Aquilani is still tied to a three-year contract with Liverpool and before his eventual departure we will talk with the leadership of Liverpool," Zavaglia said. "It seems clear to me that the player doesn't fall into the technical plans of the coach, so the suggestion of his departure is concrete."

Borrell: I Still Have The Same Aim

Rodolfo Borrell insists his switch to reserve team boss won't affect his overall aim - to help produce young players for Liverpool's first-team.

The Spaniard arrived in Kirkby with a glittering CV and has since bolstered his credentials by moulding an U18 side that turned heads with its attractive style of football.

The success did not go unnoticed by the Anfield hierarchy and in the summer he was rewarded with a new role that he believes has the same objective.

"This is a different job for me," Borrell told LFC Weekly. "Most of the players in the squad are now men, or closer to being men than the U18s.

"It doesn't change my aim; to push the players on until they are good enough for the first-team. That is what we are all trying to do; Frank McParland, Pep (Segura), Kenny (Dalglish), Steve Clarke, Damien Comolli. And I'm sure it will be the same with the new coach, Kevin Keen. Our aim is to help produce players for the club.

"That's why we communicate so often, almost on a daily basis. We go to Melwood or Kenny, Steve and Damien come to the Academy. We talk about everything.

"We are all pushing in the same direction and when you do that it can only benefit the club and lead to success. That is our aim and we're all working hard to make it happen."

Liverpool Ladies Boss Robbie Johnson Wants Application

Liverpool Ladies boss Robbie Johnson says his players must apply themselves if they are to win their first league game of the season.

The Reds, who are without a win in 10 attempts, host Doncaster on Wednesday.

"What our players have to do is apply themselves," Reds boss Johnson told BBC Radio Merseyside.

"If we do that, as we've shown against Everton and certainly against Birmingham away, the players are capable of doing it [winning a game]."

He added: "The playing staff is virtually the same. There have been one or two coming in and out, but most of the players on the pitch have played regularly for us this season."

The Reds currently lie bottom of the Women's Super League table on three points, but local rivals Everton travel to leaders Birmingham on Saturday in good form.

The Blues have won their last four games, most recently securing a 3-1 win over Arsenal on Sunday.

Those results have propelled Mo Marley's team to third in the WSL table, but forward Gewnnan Harries says the players are refusing to get carried away.

"We've just got to take one game at a time," said the Welsh international.

"You never know with football results, they differ every week, so we've just got to take each game as it comes.

"If we can continue to win each game and put the pressure on then you never know.

"It's in our hands really, if we win each game then we can't do anymore. That's what we're aiming to do."

Liverpool Could Be Forced To Scrap New Stadium Plans Amid Dispute With Local Council

Liverpool could be forced to scrap new stadium development plans amid a dispute over deadlines with the local council, according to the Daily Mirror.

The Merseyside club are stuck in limbo as they are neither able to build a new stadium nor increase the capacity at Anfield.

Rigid and unsympathetic deadlines set by the local council are to blame for Liverpool’s failure to expand their current home.

Angry supporters’ groups are claiming the council are taking the stance in an attempt to force a ground-share between the club and local rivals Everton.

Liverpool City Council leader Joe Anderson has been forced to deny suggestions he is refusing permission to extend the Anfield capacity because he is an Everton fan.

Liverpool’s owners – Fenway Sports Group – were hoping to either re-develop Anfield or build a new stadium in Stanley Park, which is between their current ground and Everton’s stadium, Goodison Park.

The council is threatening to derail their plans, however, by saying the lease for the parkland runs out soon and that they must make a decision by September or force being stuck in an under-45,000 capacity stadium.

The owners were hoping stadium naming-rights deals would help finance the development but it appears there is now not sufficient time to implement those plans, leaving everything up in the air.

Liverpool’s current match day revenue is reportedly £3 million less than rivals Manchester United’s, because of their far superior capacity and a greater number of corporate seats.

Preview & Matchday: Liverpool vs Valerenga

After a tumultuous few weeks in the capital and beyond, Norwegian football has resumed some sort of normal service—matches in the 17th round of the Tippeligaen, scheduled just two days after the attacks in Oslo and Utoya, were postponed, leaving this past weekend’s fixtures as the first matches in nearly two weeks. And while Monday’s match is a friendly, it’s sure to be an emotional affair, with a minute’s silence scheduled to go along with renditions of “You’ll Never Walk Alone” and “My Little Country,” an Ole Paus song that’s understandably grown in significance over the past few weeks.

Vålerenga were among the four teams in action as play resumed yesterday, dropping a 2-1 decision to current league leaders Molde FK. That leaves Monday’s hosts alone in the tenth spot in league, eleven points from the top and only seven from bottom. They finished last season in second behind champions (and perennial European qualifiers) Rosenborg, which gave them a spot in Europa League qualifiers starting in mid-July. They got past Armenian outfit Mika FC by way of two 1-0 wins in the first round, but stuttered in the first leg of their tie with Greek side PAOK, falling 2-0 at home. They’ll resume the tie in Greece this coming Thursday, and league play three days later when they host Sogndal.

It’d be surprising to see many of their regular first-teamers just two days after an important league match; from what I can gather, all their familiar faces turned in a full ninety against Molde on Saturday, and with plenty left to do after a long trip midweek, I’d guess we see something resembling a reserve outfit against Liverpool on Monday.

It’s a different story for Liverpool, who has publicized their traveling party as a constellation of stars after sending a decidedly weakened squad to Turkey four days ago. The Liverpool official site lists Glen Johnson, Pepe Reina, and Daniel Agger as the old boys set to return, in addition to summer signings Charlie Adam, Jordan Henderson, and Stewart Downing. Vålerenga’s official site took it a bit further, publishing the full squad list, which includes the above names along with youngsters Raheem Sterling (who confirmed his place in the squad earlier on Twitter) and Stephen Sama. Andy Carroll, who played the entire match in Turkey, will travel as well, but with David Ngog included, you’d imagine that there’s little chance for Carroll to see a large number of minutes.

If accurate it’s the same size squad that traveled to Istanbul and missing a number of the names that featured in the loss to Galatasaray—Joe Cole, Christian Poulsen, Emiliano Insua, and Phillipp Degen are among those absent, as are Maxi and Raul Meireles, both of whom missed Thursday’s match as well. It’s essentially a split squad, with only a few names making both trips; Carroll, Kuyt, Kelly, Shelvey, Spearing, Aquilani, and Flanagan all played at least a half earlier in the week but made Monday’s squad, meaning that outside of those names we’ll get an almost entirely new-look side.

And, if you struggled through Thursday’s match like most of us, that’s a welcomed prospect. After a successful Asian Tour, Kenny Dalglish’s squad has stumbled in two matches running, and that’s created some anxiety about how well Liverpool are prepared for the rapidly approaching Premier League season. It’s no coincidence that the recent stumbles have coincided with experimental elevens that featured more reserves than regulars, though, as well as players that nearly everyone’s looking forward to seeing the back of.

With only Valencia separating Liverpool from Monday and Sunderland on the 13th, it’s about time for Liverpool to transition from gaining fitness and putting on a good show (which hasn’t really happened anyhow) to getting themselves prepared for serious competition. Yes, it’s still preseason, and the result isn’t really that important against a weakened opposition, but with the bigger names involved, you’d hope for things to look markedly different than the last two times out.

Liverpool Made An Approach For Crewe Teenager Max Clayton

Liverpool made an approach for England under-17 striker Max Clayton, according to Crewe boss Dario Gradi.

The Crewe teenager has been linked with numerous Barclays Premier League clubs in recent months, but penned a new deal with the Railwaymen in June.

And, according to Gradi, Liverpool had made an attempt to sign the 16-year-old, who opted to stay loyal rather than move to Anfield.

Gradi also claimed that Liverpool had acted illegally when making their move for Clayton.

"Max handled it very well," Gradi told the Sunday Express. "He didn't knock us at all.

"He had the chance to go to Liverpool, which might not happen again. I didn't think it was right for him and in any case it was an illegal approach.

"I couldn't stop him leaving in the June but he could see there would be first-team opportunities here. We offered five boys, including Max, identical contracts and they all signed them without any fuss.

"I am managing to keep them away from the big clubs but it's becoming harder. The scouts will always latch on to our games because they know they are going to see good players."