With Milan Jovanovic most likely already on his way to the Reds in the summer on a free transfer, Rafa Benitez is not averse to picking out a Bosman here and there, and with Liverpool struggling financially, the way forward maybe to bring in some much needed depth to the team by signing up some out of contract players. Here are five of the best that Rafa may want to look at over the next couple of months.
Joe Cole – An unlikely signing but he still hasn’t signed a new contract with Chelsea and maybe open to discussions about moving to Anfield. Would more likely move to Manchester United or join up with his former manager Harry Redknapp at Spurs but there would be no harm in enquiring about his services.
Fabio Simplicio – A strong central midfield presence for Palermo, the Brazilian may now be 30 but he is still in great demand around Europe. Inter attempted to buy the player back in the January transfer window and Roma are rumoured to be interested in bringing the player to the Stadio Olimpico for free this summer. Simplicio also was recently called up by Dunga for his first international cap in a friendly against England. Palermo have stated that Simplicio will not be getting a new contract after he fell out with the club’s president.
Kim Kallstrom – A box-to-box midfielder, Swedish international Kallstrom has many strings to his bow. He has a powerful shot which makes him very useful with long range strikes, he is an expert free kick taker and also is able to pass and cross with consummate ease. At 27, Kallstrom is still relatively young and could add great depth and versatility to the Liverpool midfield, either playing as an attacking midfielder or left winger.
Martin Petrov – At 31, Petrov may be coming to the end of his career as a winger but he has still demonstrated, when he has played for Manchester City this year, that he has pace and a lethal shot to frighten opposition defences. With the lack of pace and natural wing play in our squad at the moment, Petrov could prove to be an excellent stop gap until the Reds finally get new owners and new investment.
Morten Gamst Pedersen – Another winger, but with less pace than Petrov, Pedersen could be another stop gap measure for a season to improve the depth of the squad. He is currently still considering a contract offer from Blackburn Rovers, but with his free kick taking abilities, his excellent crossing capabilities and his knack for assisting and scoring important goals, the Norwegian international maybe worth a punt.
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Everyone keeps talking about free transfers, but lets not forget the better free transfers command higher wages and signing on fees which negate some of the savings.
anyway, that aside – would love to see petrov, dont really understand how his stock has fallen so quickly. it wasnt so long ago that he was one of the best left wingers in the league and would fill a hole in the squad that desperately needs filling, especially with riera probably leaving.
Joe cole would be my choice though not sure he’d come given no Champs league.
Pederson is more likely & may be good if not great…
Joe Cole would be a solid option if we can get a hand on him, especially if Benayoun leaves.
none of them, even joe cole is a player any team would carry, needs to win back his fitness, needs to realise that hard work is in his game, he can not just attack all the time, for a player that is so rated his positional play is very poor, isnt that quick, his crossing is not the best either, he has never scored that many goals and yet plays at chlesea a team with some very good pros, so for me his wages are a joke, 130 a week, er ,,, no thanks, rather mata any day of the week. that list above, they are all average, and we need better than average, other wise we will not be getting in top half never mind back into the champions league!
Joe Cole wage is too expensive.. liverpool should consider petrov or perderson instead .. But not both as Liverpool should spend big or else star players may leave .. One free player and a big summer signing for left winger will be good as riera, babel and yossi may be sold ..
dun bother abt freebies, becoz liverpool going to buy worldclass player when new owner come.
If the sign on equivalent of all these players or at least 4 of them is less than 5 mil.. I say get them all!! so many people hate lucas.. I think the amount of maturity and experience in the above players could be crucial to liverpools title hopes
There’s no way on Earth that we’ll be able to afford Joe Cole’s wages. Just because there is no transfer fee involved doesn’t mean it’s a cheap deal – Ballack has been a very expensive signing for Chelsea, for example.
Chelsea and City will not be tryng to get any of these players, Tottenham would maybe want Cole, the rest wold chose Liverpool, most likely.
I just wonder will Ferguson be trying to get some of these players in United, or did he learn his lesson with Owen?
There are no freebies, you pay it all in wages and fans nerves.
It is about a player you need not the one who is available.
It’s better to develop young players if the club is to live of selling players to pay of debts.