Saturday, May 26, 2007

Just Who Is On Rafael Benitez's Most Wanted List?


Rafael Benitez has urged Liverpool's new backers to provide the funds to take the club to the next level in the wake of their Champions League final defeat by AC Milan.


FERNANDO TORRES

Long linked with a move to England, the young Atletico Madrid skipper is certainly attainable. He has a buy-out clause of around 30million euros (£20million) and is willing to consider offers.


SAMUEL ETO'O

His latest posturing saw Eto'o claim he will stay at Barcelona, but either he or Ronaldinho will leave this summer. Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United will also be interested but with some cunning manoeuvring Liverpool could attract the Cameroon striker.


DAVID VILLA

It is almost universally accepted Villa will move to the Premiership, quite possibly joined by Eto'o and Torres. He would be better suited than the other two to play alongside Dirk Kuyt, but may prefer to remain at Valencia or perhaps replace Eto'o at the Nou Camp.


GABRIEL MILITO

The transfer talk has so far been almost exclusively about forwards. But while Jamie Carragher and Daniel Agger have formed a solid partnership at the back, Benitez could do with adding some competition for places and quality to his defensive ranks - and Real Zaragoza's Argentinian Milito fits the bill. However, Barca are also interested.


SIMAO

A long-term target, Benfica captain Simao would add flair and versatility for around £15million. Able to perform as a second striker or wide on either flank, the 27-year-old would be a quality addition, with Bolo Zenden and Mark Gonzalez heading out of the door.


DANI ALVES

Benitez could have signed the flying Brazilian right-back for around £12million last summer but the Reds balked at Sevilla's asking price. A year on, he will command a fee of approximately £25million.


CARLOS TEVEZ

The Argentinian firebrand had a sensational season at West Ham in highly testing circumstances. Real Madrid apparently head the queue for his services with plenty of others interested. Liverpool would doubtlessly be included in that group, but have other priorities.


DIMITAR BERBATOV

One of the Premiership's stand-out performers in the 2006-07 season for Tottenham, the Bulgarian striker is hot property but Spurs will fight tooth and nail to retain his services.



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