Reds to mop up the following Bosmans?
IN recent days Liverpool FC have been linked with 3 players who’re available for free in the summer.
It’s worth remembering that these days, a combination of small transfer budgets and players available in key positions mean Liverpool automatically get linked these days, despite the reality of any interest from the club.
This is partially due to lazy journalism and partially due to the situation Liverpool find themselves in.
Brendan Rodgers has been coy about what budget he will have this summer, despite saying a few times ‘we’ll have more resources in the summer’.
Yet bearing that in mind there have been some recent rumours which have got some of the fanbase excited about the talent on offer. Today we explore these players in more detail and look to see who is likely to end up at Anfield.
Modibo Diakite – Lazio
The first rumour is Modibo Diakite, the French born Lazio centre-back who’s been highly rated since his move from Pescara in 2006. At 25, Diakite would be a move away from the well discussed youth policy of FSG, however saying that, his price most certainly would be right, but it depends on his wage demands. Diakite is an established defender in Serie A, and one thing Serie A is well renowned for is being a difficult league to score in.
At 6’4 Diakite is known for his sheer physical presence, although, he’s a no-nonsense defender who often uses his pace and strength to upend the opposition. Good on the ball, Diakite likes to run with the ball into midfield and help shape the play. However whilst physical presence is what we need, he’s never achieved international recognition.
Fernando Amorebieta – Athletic Bilbao
Secondly, we have the case of Fernando Amorebieta, the highly rated centre-back from Athletic Bilbao. At 27 he’s seen as a veteran of La Liga, however negotiations have broken down between club and player and now he’s being touted as a target for Italian giants Inter Milan, AC Milan and Juventus. Anzhi have already expressed their interest as well as Arsenal.
Basque-born, Amorebieta chose to play for Venezuela after he wasn’t included in the 2010 Spanish World Cup squad. Another defender known for his strength and pace as well as physical presence, he’d be a good addition to the squad. However the Reds would need to stem off a host of European giants in order to land his signature, with some journalists already speculating that Fernando will follow his team-mate Llorente to Juventus in the summer.
Keisuke Honda – CSKA Moscow
Lastly, we’ve had reports that attacking midfielder Keisuke Honda is being linked with a move to Anfield. Honda has impressed both for CSKA and his country Japan, impressing heavily in the 2010 World Cup.
Honda has rejected a new deal with his current club and it’s believed he’d like to move to the Premier League. Yet with on-going speculation over both Christian Eriksen, Kevin Strootman, Tom Ince and others, it seems unlikely Rodgers would pick Honda, now 26, over a player he could shape. Honda is not prolific in front of goal, however he’s netted 7 goals from 19 games which could better his record of 8 goals last season from 25 overall. Whilst Honda does have experience and ability, I’d be surprised if we see him in a Red shirt next season.
Good transfer bets for the summer:
Stefan De Vrij
Kevin Strootman
Tom Ince
Possible Departures:
Sebastian Coates
Stewart Downing
Jonjo Shelvey
Follow me on twitter @JohnRitchie84
Live4Liverpool is recruiting columnists. For further info contact the site editor at live4liverpool@snack-media.com
Follow us on Twitter here: @live4Liverpool and ‘Like’ us on Facebook
Newcastle News 24/7
March 4th, 2013
Strootman would be much better than Allen – big improvement there …but all the others ? – Surely we can set our sights higher
March 5th, 2013
Well if that is Liverpools shopping list then I am NOT impressed .
Do you think man u, Chelsea or arsenal would be bothered about any of them ? No , is the definite answer
Strootman is young and has potential .Williams would be a disgraceful signing as he is a average lump.
Oh well , if this is close to the truth then it’s another summer where we fail to improve team
March 5th, 2013
Also I want to see Allen, spearing and Borini all sold . Three useless dopes
March 6th, 2013
Unless we get ch/lge we wont attract big names its that simple. The quicker ppl accept tgat the better.
March 5th, 2013
I think we could raise good money for some of the players in our squad that are simply not good enough take us forward or be in the team.
Out:
Assaidi – 2 mil
Coates – 5 mil
Downing – 8 mil
Dan Wilson – 1 mil
Carroll – 13 mil
Pacheco – 2 mil
Spearing – 2 mil
Skrtel – 9 mil
I am being a bit conservative with the figures but I think that would be the least we could expect to raise from those players, others may also be the bracket of not being good enough, but the likes of Allen, Borini wont be sold as its their first season unless a good offer comes in; also some of our players need to go out on loan to gain real first team experience, don’t know why we don’t use this to help players progress, it has clearly worked with the likes of Wilshire, Cleverly, Caulker.
I think in transfers we could raise in the region of 40 mil in the summer and just hope it is spent wisely. I would like something in the line of:
In:
Honda – but only on a free and not on ridiculous wages, this would also help us gain a stronger revenue stream in the east.
Alex Pearce – Free, could be a half decent squad player
Victor Wanyama – we should be able to get for under 10 mil
Son Heung-Min – I think could cost over 10 mil but could be a worthy outlay still young and bigger than some of the attackers we have.
Christian Eriksen – I think we could tempt him if we get in early and with Agger being his compatriot may help, could cost 15 mil +.
Stefan De Vrij – I would like to say Lovren but don’t think he come to us if available as the likes of Chelski, and others in CL would be in for him too, D Vrij already a captain at 21 I think would cost less than 10 mil.
Miralem Sulejmani – Available on a free (bossman), as far as I know.
Konstantin Rausch – Available on a free (bossman), as far as I know.
Douglas (Twente) – Available on a free (bossman), as far as I know.
Not a high tranfer cost I think, and with such additions we could really compete for the top 4 next season considering they settle.
March 5th, 2013
Actually that’s pretty smart. I actually think we could get more from those sales (carolls clause for west ham is £17m). Don’t think we need Erikson – is Sturridge plats then Luis would play no. 10 and he’s far better than Eriksen.
March 5th, 2013
Plus we have Phillippe Coutinho who is our number 10 and can not only play wide, but can also play in that number 10 role as his number suggests.
March 6th, 2013
I dont think we need to get rid o assaidi, hes mustard. With a little tlc hell b a proper handful.
March 5th, 2013
Good sales list and we can make a decent Summer Transfer budget.
Buy …
CB – Pearce & De Vrij
MF – Tom Ince & Honda.
ST – Benteke / Charlie Austin(A good striker)
GK – Begovic / Mignolet.
March 5th, 2013
Lol . Charlie Austin. This is Liverpool mate not Blackpool
March 5th, 2013
Bosman ??? Forget about players, solve the manager issue first. Hmmm, Rafa is one of LFC top priority.
March 5th, 2013
You are a *sir. Maybe you should make a banner and sit behind Rodgers at Anfield?
March 5th, 2013
He is totally right .or do fantastic wins against Swansea reserves and Wigan make up for a disastrous season
March 5th, 2013
I would love to see kevin strootman playing for us. Big fan of the guy.
March 5th, 2013
Rodgers must be big enough to own up to his shocking errors in buying Allen and Borini or we will never move forward with this guy.
Sell them , and move on . If he continues to play them there will ne no improvement next season
March 5th, 2013
Lads, free transfers become very expensive. See the likes of voronin, joe 5million a year Cole and co.
What we need is to keep our best players Yes Martin skertel and Jose Reina. Bring them back to their best.
The likes of Allen, Pacheco Asaidi, Carrol and Borrini.
Add, Eriksen plus hodling mf. not a midget like allen, an impossing player. and leave it at that. Simple. Best to be careful with the spending.
YNWA