Dossena Flattered By Juve Link

Liverpool full-back Andrea Dossena is flattered by Juventus' interest in him but insists he is happy at Anfield.

The defender is currently on international duty with Italy ahead of their Confederations Cup opener against the USA in South Africa and is keeping an eye on transfer activity in Europe.

Dossena, who joined the Reds last summer from Udinese, has caught the attention of Juve and the Serie A outfit have been linked with tabling a bid for the 27-year-old.

Dossena maintains he is content with life on Merseyside but the defender is happy to be attracting interest in his native land.

"I will always have a special eye out for Italy and it's always pleasing to be wanted by a club like Juventus," he told Sky Italia.

"Liverpool are a great club and I am happy to be playing here. I am having a good experience in England.

"But if there was to be a deal between my agent, Juve and Liverpool, then I would certainly consider the proposal."

Ipswich Town Looking To Take David Ngog On Loan From Liverpool

New Ipswich Town boss Roy Keane reportedly has his sights set on under-utilised Liverpool striker David Ngog.

According to News of the World, the ex Manchester United boss is hoping to convince Rafa Benitez to loan out the 20-year-old, who has barely got a look-in at Anfield since his £1.5 million move from Paris Saint-Germain last summer.

Keane has made a new forward his first priority as Jon Stead, Pablo Counago and Kevin Lisbie are currently the only recognised strikers at Portman Road.

Reports suggest that Ipswich scouts were at the recent Toulon tournament to watch the France under-21 international first-hand and that the Irish manager has now decided to make a move for him based on their reports.

Despite barely playing him last season, Benitez recently went on record as saying that he is convinced Ngog will go on to become an important player for Liverpool.

Liverpool Assert Again That Xabi Alonso & Mascherano Will Stay

Liverpool have confirmed that both Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano will be staying at the club, despite rumours that the pair were set to leave Anfield for Spain.

Alonso has recently been heavily linked with a big money move to Spanish giants Real Madrid, with the midfielder said to be one of Madrid president Florentino Perez's top transfer targets this summer.

Meanwhile, Alonso's Anfield team-mate Mascherano has been the subject of a proposed move to Madrid's arch rivals Barcelona, with manager Pep Guardiola set to offer the Reds around £30 million for the Argentine's services.

However, both players have been told by the Reds that they will be staying at Anfield, and despite recent media reports, the club say no offers had been made for either player.

A statement on the club's official website reads:

"Despite repeated media speculation on the futures of Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano, Liverpool has received no official approach or offer from any club regarding the players.

"Neither is for sale and furthermore Liverpool has no interest in the long list of Spanish based players being linked with a move to Anfield as part of any deal."

Both players are viewed as vital in Liverpool's quest for a first Premier League trophy, and should have a significant part to play in next season's campaign.

Fernando Torres Determined To Bring Glory Days Back To Liverpool

Fernando Torres says he is hell-bent on lifting the Premier League title with Liverpool.

The 25-year-old Spanish sensation has firmly established himself as a fans' favourite since joining the Reds for around £20 million from Atletico Madrid in 2007, scoring 50 goals in 84 appearances.

However, despite helping the Merseyside outfit finish runners up in the Premier League this season, El Nino has not been able to attain any silverware during his short spell at Liverpool.

Some say the Reds' lack of a homegrown core is at the root of their title drought, but the Madrid-born 25-year-old couldn't agree less.

"They say foreign players don't care as much as the home grown, but we are very much aware that Liverpool haven't won the Premier League for 20 years and understand the supporters are desperate for us to put that right," Torres told the club's official website.

"The rivalry with Manchester United is intense and the roof will come off at Anfield if we beat them to next year's title. Obviously the Champions League means a lot to Liverpool, but the English title is the one everyone wants in our dressing room.

"Liverpool Football Club is a phenomenon, with millions of fans who totally identify with everything the club stands for. They are at one with the players and that's why the backing we get at Anfield and from the away support is second to none," added Torres.

"This club has it all: the history, the prestige, the fans, the organisation. It's a big responsibility to give the fans here the success they desire, but the challenge is always exhilarating and this is why I was delighted to sign a new contract."

The Spain international striker recently put pen to paper on a new four year deal which will see him remain at Anfield until 2013 at least, with an option to prolong his stay by a further year until 2014.

Manchester City's Micah Richards Set For Cut Price Liverpool Transfer

Manchester City central defender Micah Richards is the subject of a bid from Premier League rivals Liverpool, according to News of the World.

The Reds have reportedly put in a £5 million bid for the youngster, a bid that is likely to be rejected by the Manchester based club.

City value the 20-year-old at around the £20 million mark and are unlikely to accept anything less than that.

However, City boss Mark Hughes is believed to be willing to let the central defender leave the club.

The pair reportedly had a training ground bust up earlier in the season, and Hughes is apparently willing to let the defender go, but not for such a low price.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has a restricted transfer budget this season and is looking to pick up a few bargains in the summer transfer window.

Richards has already broken onto the international scene and has won 11 England caps in his short career, he is expected to gain more under England coach Fabio Capello.

Benitez is looking for signings to bolster his squad, so that they can mount another serious Premier League title challenge, and it is believed that the lure of Champions League football could persuade Richards to move to Anfield.

Liverpool's Fernando Torres Reveals World Cup Final Dream

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres has stated that he and team-mate Steven Gerrard dream of meeting each other in the World Cup final.

The Spanish striker is currently on international duty at the Confederations Cup, and is confident that Spain could overcome England if they met in the final of the biggest football competition.

Both Torres and Gerrard are set to feature in next year's World Cup in South Africa, after La Seleccion and the Three Lions recorded 100 per cent records in their respective qualifying groups for the tournament.

The two teams met in a friendly in February, with Spain running out easy 2-0 winners, and Torres has revealed his frequent conversations with Gerrard over meeting in the final next year.

Speaking to The Sunday Mirror, Torres said, "It's a good rivalry, we talk about it a lot and dream about what might happen in the future.

"To play against England is special for me. Already, I noticed in the friendly in Seville how big it was and to do it in an official competition would be enormous.

"England are one of the candidates to win the World Cup in 2010, without doubt. Stevie and myself have often spoken about our teams.

"Our dream would be for England and Spain to play in the final in South Africa. But Spain might win it."

Torres Hits Hat-Trick As Spain Rout New Zealand

Fernando Torres bagged a hat-trick as European champions Spain crushed New Zealand 5-0 to open their Confederations Cup campaign in emphatic style on Sunday.

The Group A victory, their 13th consecutive win, extended their unbeaten run to 33 games as they look to overturn Brazil's world record 35 matches without defeat between 1993 and 1996.

Yet despite Spain being the world's number one ranked team and packed with star names, the Royal Bafokeng Stadium here was half empty, something that will worry FIFA with the World Cup in South Africa less than a year away.

The match was always going to be a David versus Goliath battle and it was all Spain, with Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas and Valencia's David Villa also getting on the scoresheet.

"We did what we had to do, we started with a good rhythm and played good football and were leading 4-0 after 24 minutes," said Spain coach Vicente del Bosque.

"The second half was a question of saving energy for our next match."

Torres said it was a fantastic start for the team.

"It was great for the team and for me it is always important to score. I got three so I'm very happy," he said.

They opened their account after six minutes when Fabregas slotted the ball to Torres on the edge of the box and he cooly curled his shot into the top right hand corner.

It was 2-0 eight minutes later after Villa cut the ball back for Torres, who side-footed it past flailing goalkeeper Glen Moss.

The Liverpool striker collected his hat-trick inside 17 minutes as the one-sided game threatened to become an embarrassing rout.

Joan Capdevila crossed from the left and Torres outjumped the defence to powerfully head the ball home for his 22nd international goal.

It was the second hat-trick for his country - the other coming against San Marino in a 2006 World Cup qualifier.

New Zealand's confidence was shattered as their defence, missing injured Blackburn star Ryan Nelsen, was run ragged.

With Spain keeping possession and pressing forward, Fabregas got their fourth on 24 minutes with a simple tap-in after Capdevila squared the ball into his path.

The only other time the two teams have met was at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 1997 when Spain won 13-0 and All Whites coach Ricki Herbert looked a worried man in the dugout with another double-figure demolition appearing possible.

He took off striker Jeremy Brockie, replacing him with Jeremy Christie to shore up the defence, and the tactic worked with the score remaining the same at the half-time whistle.

But it didn't stay that way for long with Villa scoring the fifth just three minutes after the restart following a comical miskick from defender Andy Boyens gifted him the ball and the Valencia striker made no mistake.

Torres was substituted with 20 minutes left as Spain took their foot off the gas, conscious that they have another game on Wednesday.

"The first 25 minutes were very tentative and on the world stage against the world's top team we got punished for a lot of things," said Herbert.

"I made some changes and we grew a bit in the second 45 and were more disciplined."

With hosts South Africa drawing 0-0 with Iraq, Spain top Group A with three points.

They next meet Iraq in Bloemfontein while New Zealand look to salvage some pride against South Africa on the same day in Rustenburg.

The top two from the group qualify for the semi-finals.

Middlesbrough's Stewart Downing Puts Hopes On Loan Move

Middlesbrough midfielder Stewart Downing has asked the club for a year's loan, with a view to making a permanent move away from the Riverside next summer, according to The News of the World.

The England international is currently recovering from a foot injury, but is still set to be out of action for at least six months.

This has ruined his chances of a summer move from the relegated club, but he is hopeful they can reach an agreement for a year's loan.

This would help the north east club as it would ease their wage bill as he recovers from the injury.

A deal is then reportedly wanted by Downing for him to move to a bigger club, with a fee thought to be in the region of £12 million.

The 24-year-old has been linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur for the last couple of years, and it looked as though this transfer would actually go through in January, when Downing handed in a transfer request, which was refused by the club.

Boro were relegated on the final day of the season, leading to rumours of a quick fire sale of their top stars, but so far, no offers have yet come in, but Downing does still want a move away from the Riverside.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is also thought to be a big admirer of the English winger, and a bidding war, possibly in January of next year, could well take place.

Sir Alex Wants Torres To Be The New Ronaldo

Sir Alex Ferguson is planning an audacious raid on Liverpool for Kop striking hero Fernando Torres.

Armed with the £80 million windfall from Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Real Madrid, the Manchester United boss is determined to make his own impact in a transfer market which is becoming bloated with money from the big clubs.

Liverpool hitman Torres is the shock target, as Sir Alex knows that a bid of around £40m would have to be seriously considered by United’s title rivals who have severe cash problems.

If Ferguson could pull off the coup, it would be a slap in the face for Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez, who was involved in a war of words with the Scot during the second half of the season.

Liverpool, who paid £20m to bring Torres from Atletico Madrid, would fight tooth and nail to hang on to the Spaniard but a British transfer record offer would give the Anfield boardroom serious food for thought.

In the meantime, Ferguson will pursue what could turn out to be more realistic targets – Lyon’s French striker Karim Benzema, Barcelona’s Samuel Eto’o, Atletico Madrid’s Sergio Aguero, Bayern Munich’s Franck Ribery and Valencia’s David Silva.

A £20m deal to take Wigan’s wide right sided player Antonio Valencia to Old Trafford will be finalised in the next few days.

United believe they will lose Carlos Tevez to neighbours Manchester City but are more confident of fighting off the interest in unsettled defender Nemanja Vidic, who is being monitored by Barcelona and AC Milan.

Liverpool Set To Land Javier Saviola

Liverpool hope to be able to wrap up a deal that will see them rescue Javier Saviola from Real Madrid, after the two clubs agreed a fee for the Argentinian striker, according to reports.

Rafa Benitez believes that the 27-year-old could resurrect his career at Anfield by pairing up with Fernando Torres and the Merseyside outfit have held negotiations with Los Merengues.

A deal worth around £5 million (€6m) is believed to have been settled upon, media in Spain and England claim, and an official announcement could be made later this week.

Saviola has had few chances to impress during his two-year stint at the Santiango Bernabeu, after joining the club on a free transfer from Barcelona, and has been told he can leave this summer.

Cristiano Ronaldo's arrival has already signalled that he would be shunted even further down the pecking order as the Portuguese star has registered the trademark CR9, Saviola's current shirt number.

Early reports suggested that any deal would include Xabi Alonso, but it is now believed that the clubs are making the transfer of the goalscorer a separate issue.

Benitez is confident that he can draw the best out of the player that was once tipped to be the best young striker in Argentina when he was impressing with River Plate.

Even in his first few seasons at Barcelona, Saviola stood out and scored regularly for the Catalan side before being pushed down the pecking order and eventually loaned out to Monaco and Sevilla.

Liverpool FC Can Take Advantage Of Man Utd Losing Cristiano Ronaldo To Real Madrid

A reason to celebrate or a major blow to the Reds' hopes of knocking Manchester United off their perch next season?

The news that United have accepted a world record bid of £80million from Real Madrid for Cristiano Ronaldo has divided opinion among Liverpool fans.

Of course ex-United stars have been queuing up to hail the deal as a masterstroke.

Apparently, the champions no longer need a "petulant" and "egotistical" winger who had become too big for his boots.

Funny, because they didn't seem to mind those qualities when the Portuguese was banging them in from all angles and winning games almost single-handedly in recent seasons.

Anyway, the argument goes, selling Ronaldo has paved the way for Alex Ferguson to embark on a £100million summer spending spree to land Carlos Tevez, Lyon forward Karim Benzema, Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery and Wigan’s Antonio Valencia.

Pundits have likened the situation to the departure of David Beckham in 2003. After he went to Real Madrid, United blossomed but there is one crucial difference.

Beckham was 28 at the time and his best days were behind him,

Ronaldo is only 24 and yet to reach his peak.

Few neutrals will shed any tears about Ronaldo leaving the Premier League.

His play acting and histrionics made him public enemy number one at most grounds but his contribution to United's success cannot be overlooked.

In 2007/08 he scored 42 goals, topping the previous club record for a midfielder held by George Best, as United won the Premier League and the Champions League.

Inside the last seven months he has been crowned European Player of the Year and FIFA World Player of the Year.

This season he was United's top scorer again with 26 goals, taking his tally for United to 118 in 292 appearances.

Ferguson may have cash to splash but they are huge boots to try and fill.

And as United fans have found following the £30million spent on Dimitar Berbatov, big money signings don't always deliver.

Added to the mix is the fact that with United almost £700million in debt and having to shell out over £60million in annual interest payments, there are no guarantees Ferguson will get all that transfer money to spend.

The Glazers have insisted the decision to sell Ronaldo was taken solely by Ferguson but that's some turnaround by a man who last December declared he would not "sell that mob a virus”.

Of course Real Madrid's part in all this also has implications for Liverpool.

The election of new president Florentino Perez has ushered in a return to the 'galacticos' era.

And having shelled out £136million on Kaka and Ronaldo, his next target could be Xabi Alonso with Perez having already admitted he wants to take him to the Bernabeu.

Rafa Benitez has insisted the midfielder is not for sale but any offer upwards of £30million could force a rethink.

Benitez knows his greatest challenge this summer is not attracting star names but keeping his squad together.

Yes, the Reds boss doesn't have much cash to spend but as he admitted this week having come so close to glory this season he knows he just needs to add one or two new faces.

His best bits of business have already been done by getting Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres, Dirk Kuyt and Daniel Agger to agree new deals. Liverpool only need to take a small step forward if they are going to win the Premier League next season and the sale of Ronaldo could leave a gaping hole at Old Trafford that the Reds can take full advantage of.

Javier Mascherano Family Anguish

Javier Mascherano’s family anguish is behind his shock threat to quit Liverpool.

In the latest shattering transfer blow to manager Rafa Benitez, the Argentina skipper is considering leaving because his pregnant wife Fernanda has been unable to settle on Merseyside.

She returned to South America with the couple's daughter Lola before the end of last season. And although the 25-year-old midfielder is professionally happy at Anfield, the personal despair at being apart from his family means he feels he has no option but to consider moving on.

He thinks it will be easier for his wife to live in a Spanish-speaking country.

Benitez has insisted the midfielder is not for sale at any price, despite an imminent £30million bid from Barcelona. But the Liverpool boss has a fight on his hands to keep Mascherano given his difficult circumstances.

A Kop source said: "The truth is Javier loves Liverpool and is especially thankful to Rafa for everything he has done for his career in England. But he's facing a huge dilemma because he feels his family might be more settled in Spain. Nothing is certain, but it's true it's a big problem for the club."

With Xabi Alonso also determined to force through a move to La Liga, the spine of the Liverpool team could be ripped apart before the start of next season.

Benitez and Alonso remain on collision course, with the Spanish playmaker likely to try to force through a move after the Confederations Cup.

The only consolation for Benitez is that he could collect more than £50m in transfer fees for the two players - cash he could reinvest in the side.

On the other hand, replacing two world-class central midfielders will not be easy, especially as Liverpool have already missed out on their prime target Gareth Barry.

Benitez has still not given up hope of signing Valencia's David Silva. He has revived his interest in the 23-year-old Spaniard since Carlos Tevez declared his preference for Manchester City over Liverpool.

Micah Richards In Kop Frame

Cash-strapped Liverpool are preparing a £5million move for England Under-21 defender Micah Richards.

Manchester City boss Mark Hughes is ready to offload the 20-year-old defender, who burst on to the international stage two years ago.

Hughes wants Portsmouth's Glen Johnson and that would push Richards out of the first-team picture at Eastlands next season. Anfield boss Rafa Benitez, aware of the financial constraints he will have to work under this summer, believes he could pick up a bargain.

Richards has already been capped 11 times and Benitez wants a powerful and versatile defender to strengthen his squad for next season's Premier League title assault.

The right-back's star has fallen since England coach Fabio Capello took over the full national side but Benitez believes he can revive Richards' international career and the player would welcome the move.

Long-term fan Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger could also be tempted to make an approach for the England full-back.

Barcelona Urged To Sign Liverpool Midfielder Mascherano By Argentine Coach

Former Argentina international Jorge Solari has heaped glowing praise on Javier Mascherano, describing the Liverpool man as the one of best midfielders his country has produced in the last four decades.

Solari, who founded the Renato Cesarini football club and academy where Mascherano started out, was speaking to Spanish radio station RAC-1 amid media speculation that European champions Barcelona are looking at the 25-year-old as a possible summer signing.

Solari even rates Mascherano as a better all-round midfielder than ex-Real Madrid and AC Milan star Fernando Redondo, who Solari coached while they were both at Tenerife in the early 1990s.

"For me he (Mascherano) is the best central midfielder that has left Argentina in the last 30-40 years," said Solari.

"Even better than Redondo. Javier covers a lot of ground, defends very well, especially one-on-ones, he attacks, he has good technique, he is intelligent and adapts to whatever the coach wants from him."

Liverpool's Alvaro Arbeloa Interests Real Madrid

Liverpool defender Alvaro Arbeloa is the subject of an £8 million bid from Spanish Primera Division giants Real Madrid, according to The Sun.

The Spain international is thought to be next on Madrid president Florentino Perez's transfer shopping list, after the purchase of Brazilian playmaker Kaka and the almost completed deal for Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo.

It is thought the bid came in just 24 hours after Perez reached an agreement with the Red Devils to sign Ronaldo.

The 26-year-old has become a key member of Benitez's team, and the Spaniard will find it hard to let the defender leave.

But the Reds boss has been told he must sell to raise his own transfer budget and he may be forced to sell Arbeloa if he wishes to complete any summer signings.

Liverpool signed the right-back from Deportivo La Coruna for a fee of £3 million in 2007, but Madrid are confident they can bring the defender back to Spain.

After spending heavily on two attacking options, Madrid are set to rebuild their defence, with Valencia's Raul Albiol also set to become the subject of a bid from the Spanish giants.

It is not known whether Arbeloa would like to move back to his native Spain, but he may be tempted by a big contract offer from Madrid.

Liverpool FC Worried About Players' Fitness

An unnecessary addition to an already crowded fixture list or a prestigious curtain raiser to next summer's World Cup?

The Confederations Cup kicks off in Johannesburg tomorrow – leaving followers of Liverpool and Everton with their hearts in their mouths for the next fortnight.

Influential figures like Fernando Torres and Steven Pienaar, Pepe Reina and Tim Howard could see their seasons extended until June 28 by the Fifa backed tournament – barely a week before Everton and Liverpool return to begin their pre-season preparations for next season.

But while football fans locally might have concerns, the eight-team tournament is here to stay.

And there's no doubting the quality of this year's event.

Brazil include £56m Real Madrid signing Kaka joining Robinho, Daniel Alves and Elano, while Italy coach Marcello Lippi says he will use the Confederations Cup to build a team capable of retaining the World Cup next year.

Added to those world heavyweights are the current European champions Spain, joined by the winners of each of the Fifa confederation championships – USA, Iraq, Egypt, New Zealand and next summer's World Cup hosts South Africa.

Liverpool will have six players involved in the tournament – Fernando Torres, Xabi Alonso, Albert Riera, Pepe Reina and Alvaro Arbeloa with Spain and Andrea Dossena in the Italy squad.

Everton have Steven Pienaar as host South Africa's key figure and Tim Howard keeping goal for the USA.

First contested in 1992, the Confederations Cup evolved from the Artemio Franchi Trophy, contested in 1985 between the winners of the Copa America and European Football Championships.

Originally staged in Saudi Arabia, the host country usually invited various continental champions to take part. In 1997 Fifa took over the organisation of the tournament, named it the Fifa Confederations Cup, and staged the competition every two years.

Premier League managers have winced ever since. But despite their concerns, there is no doubt the tournament is high quality.

From 2005 it was decided to stage the event every four years – one year prior to each World Cup in the host country.

It is now an effective dress-rehearsal for the World Cup, using around half of the stadia intended for use at the following year's tournament and giving the host nation, who qualify for that tournament automatically, a vital taste of competitive action during two years of friendlies.

While club managers complain, international coaches like Marcello Lippi told reporters he was relishing the chance to spend three weeks with his squad in a tournament situation.

“The last time I had the players together for a long period we did not do too badly,” joked Lippi referring to the 2006 World Cup.

“We usually get the players only for a short period of time so we will look to use this longer period constructively. Our immediate objective is to get some form. I will be using players who are in good physical condition.

“We will be trying to mix a few youngsters with the experienced footballers we have as this is how you blend a team for the World Cup.”

Spanish striking star David Villa said: “As reigning European Champions, expectations of us are much higher,” he explained.

“We know we've got to go out and defend our style of play. But we must keep our feet on the ground and take one game at a time, hopefully all the way to the final.”

Spain will be in Group A with hosts South Africa, as well as New Zealand and Iraq. It is, on paper at least, the easier of the two groups.

“If we work as hard as we have up to now, I have no doubts that we'll get through the group stage,” predicted Villa.

“But we'll have to give it our all. There are no easy games and, despite their records, these teams will make it very difficult for us as they'll be showing the same passion and determination to reach the final as ourselves.”

Pompey Defender Johnson Looks The Right Man For Liverpool Boss Benitez

Rafa Benitez will step up his efforts to finance a deal for Glen Johnson over the weekend and hopes to unveil the England right back as his first summer signing in the next few days.

Manchester City and Bayern Munich have enquired about Johnson, but Chelsea are Liverpool's chief rivals for his signature after having a £17million bid accepted by Portsmouth, as revealed in Sportsmail last week.

However, Benitez remains confident of seeing off the 24-year-old's former club after it emerged that Anfield would be his preferred destination.

Raising the necessary finance appears to be the Liverpool manager's main stumbling block, but it is understood he is ready to utilise an outstanding amount from Peter Crouch's move to Portsmouth - thought to be around £7million - to top up his available funds and match Chelsea's £17million offer.

That should be enough to push a deal through for a player who has become Benitez's No 1 target in recent weeks.

Johnson's attacking forays down the right for Portsmouth and, in particular, England have convinced Benitez of his worth, but his arrival will leave little leeway for further strengthening.

Benitez has also lodged a £2m bid for Johnson's Fratton Park team-mate Sylvain Distin, but will have to consider selling before making any other signings.

He could raise badly needed revenue by sacrificing Yossi Benayoun after reports in Israel that Tottenham, as well as Barcelona, had made an approach for the midfielder.

Benayoun has been priced at £12m for foreign clubs but would cost even more for any of Liverpool's Barclays Premier League rivals.

Liverpool Close In On £5m Real Madrid Outcast Javier Saviola

Liverpool hope to complete the £5million transfer of Javier Saviola from Real Madrid next week.

Rafa Benitez is keen to sign the Argentina international nicknamed the Rabbit who joined Madrid on a Bosman free from Barcelona two years ago.

The 27-year-old, who has scored 12 goals in 44 internationals, has struggled to establish himself at the Bernabeu and has been told to vacate the No 9 shirt, which will be worn by Cristiano Ronaldo next season.

Ronaldo, on the verge of completing an £80m transfer from Manchester United, has already trademarked 'CR9' for marketing purposes.

Saviola, who has Spanish citizenship, will have even fewer chances with Madrid following the arrival of Kaka and Ronaldo and would offer Liverpool more options in attack.

Madrid intend to offload up to 10 players to accommodate and help fund a spending spree that could reach £260m.

The Spanish giants want to sign Xabi Alonso and, after meeting resistance from Liverpool, may offer Saviola as part of a renewed bid for the 27-year-old.

Alonso also interests Manchester City, but Benitez insists he is going nowhere.

Martinez Aware Of Benitez Interest

Liverpool and Manchester City target Javi Martinez says he is aware of interest from the Premier League and is waiting to see if either club makes a move.

The Athletic Bilbao midfielder has been attracting rave reviews and Rafael Benitez reportedly sees him as a long-term replacement for Xabi Alonso, while mega-rich City are also keen.

And Martinez is happy to play the waiting game, although he doesn't want to burn his bridges in Bilbao.

"I know the rumours about Liverpool and Manchester City," said Martinez. "I am just concentrating on myself and we will see what happens.

"I'm pleased that these rumours are there, but it doesn't really influence my daily life too much.

"And I'm enjoying my time in Bilbao, and I want to experience playing in the UEFA Cup with them next season."

Liverpool Offered Samuel Eto'o In Return For Javier Mascherano

Liverpool are to have their will tested after reports claimed that Barcelona are set to offer the Premier League runners-up Samuel Eto'o in a swap deal that would see Javier Mascherano move the other way.

It is the second time in a week the unsettled Argentina midfielder has been linked with the European champions, following reports that Liverpool turned down a £20 million offer from the Nou Camp, adding that not even £50m would be enough.

According to the Mirror, however, Pep Guardiola is prepared to test the wrath of Benitez and has made a second bid which would allow for him to offload 28-year-old Eto'o, who failed to agree to a new deal with Barca.

In spite of Liverpool's protestations that Mascherano is going nowhere, the midfielder's agent Walter Tamer has said his client would welcome a move to Spain.

"If a club like Barcelona want you after winning everything, obviously a player will say he wants to play there," he said. "It would make Javier proud to play for them after they've had such an incredible year.

"I believe a transfer can be done. I've spoken to (Barcelona technical director) Txiki Beguiristain about this although we've not been in contact for some time."

Meanwhile, Liverpool are reported to have made a £6m offer for Real Madrid's Alvaro Negredo - a player the Spanish side brought back from Almeria last week in the hope of negotiating a player-plus-cash deal with the Merseysiders to secure Xabi Alonso.

Benitez has made it abundantly clear that he intends to hold on to Alonso so it is possible Real will now turn their attentions to Alvaro Arbeloa who carries a price tag of £8 million.