The Tuesday Transfer Column – Who’s Leaving Anfield?

The Sunday Times (26/06/11) goes even further, claiming that Liverpool have put Meireles on the transfer list following the disagreement between the two parties over his contract.The paper claims Meireles signed on a relatively low contract because he was so keen to play in the Premier League. This was done on the understanding that, if he did well, he’d be given a new and improved deal should he do quite well. The Times states:

“Voted the PFA Fans’ Player of the Year after a season in which he was central to Liverpool’s revival under Kenny Dalglish, the 28-year-old feels he has been let down. Such was Meireles’ desire to play Premier League football last August that he accepted a relatively low salary to facilitate a move. He believes there was an understanding that those terms would be revised if he did well. He started 32 Premier League games, scoring five times, but attempts to open talks about a new deal with owners Fenway Sports Group proved fruitless and last week he was told he was for sale.”

It is looking increasingly likely that Raul Meireles will leave this summer.

David Ngog – As reported on Live4Liverpool (23/06/11) Ngog‘s proposed move to Sunderland could collapse unless Liverpool help out with the cost of the Frenchman’s wages. The 22 year old was to get a significant wage hike this summer if he stayed at Anfield but the Black Cats are unwilling to match the salary rise. Citing a report from local paper The Journal – the piece states that Sunderland are now asking for the Reds to reduce the transfer fee so they can give Ngog a significant signing on fee that would persuade him to move to Wearside. The Daily Express (24/06/11) expands on this hitch:

“Sunderland’s interest in Liverpool striker David Ngog is in doubt as they struggle to match the player’s wages. Ngog is due a pay hike to £40,000-a-week this summer because of a clause in his contract when he signed from PSG in 2008 and Sunderland are reluctant to match those terms.”

The Liverpool Echo (24/06/11) also claims the proposed switch to Sunderland is being held up by the striker’s wage demands. The report says Liverpool are happy to sell the Frenchman for a fee of around £4million but the Black Cats have so far been unable to agree personal terms with him.

The Wearside outfit insist they can’t match the wages Ngog would earn if he remained at Anfield next season, and they are hoping the Reds will agree to drop the asking price for the 22-year-old to enable them to meet his demands.

Ngog was initially expected to complete his move to Sunderland as part of the deal which saw Liverpool snap up midfielder Jordan Henderson earlier this month. However, with Ngog on holiday and keen to weigh up his options, the clubs agreed to conduct the transfers separately. Also reported on Click Liverpool (24/06/11).

The Chester Chronicle (24/06/11) claims however that Sunderland’s talks with Ngog are ongoing and despite the delay they remain hopeful a compromise will be reached to enable them to secure his services.

Ngog is another player looking increasingly likely to leave this summer. If an agreement can be reached with Sunderland, perhaps sooner rather than later.

Jose Reina – The Spaniard was linked with moves to both Arsenal and Manchester United earlier this summer after Liverpool had missed out on European qualification.

Reina had quashed those rumours but fresh speculation about his future arose following the news that Atletico Madrid had agreed to sell David de Gea to Manchester United.

Reina has confirmed he won’t be leaving Anfield this summer however, insisting his future lies on Merseyside. He moved quickly to allay any fears Liverpool fans may have, telling La Gaceta:

“I know Atletico are looking for a goalkeeper, but I won’t be changing colours. I have five-year contract with the Reds and I’m happy at Liverpool.”

The story is also reported on football365.co.za (27/06/11), crunchsports.com (27/06/11) and Skysports.com (27/06/11).

In all honesty, that Reina would stay had always seemed the likely outcome as most of the speculation was seemingly without good foundation. Some articles simply making the connection that since Reina’s father had played in goal for Atletico, then surely his son would too.

Pepe is staying. No need to panic!

Jonjo Shelvey – The Independent (27/06/11) suggests that the 19 year-old midfielder may be moving to Blackpool on a season-long loan as part of the deal for Charlie Adam. The paper suggests that the Scotland international will finalise a £8m transfer soon.

The report claims Kenny Dalglish is keen to give Shelvey some first team experience. Although he made 21 appearances for Liverpool last season, only four of them came as a starter. A season at Bloomfield Road could be of benefit to the youngster and would help plug the gap in the Blackpool midfield as they aim to bounce back to the Premier League following their relegation. The inclusion of loan players in any deal could give Liverpool the edge over competitors for the signature of the Scottish set-piece specialist whilst also reducing the asking price sought by Blackpool.

Stephen Darby – The Mirror (28/06/11) reports that Liverpool have also included full-back Darby in the deal for the Blackpool skipper. Again, on a season-long loan. The 22 year-old was on loan at Notts County last season but has not figured for Liverpool since January 2010, in a 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur.

Steve Clarke – Whilst not a player, a notable mention goes out to a key member of Kenny’s coaching team – Steve Clarke. The Sunday Times (25/06/11) reports that Clarke has turned down the opportunity to return to Chelsea as assistant manager in order to remain as first team coach at Liverpool. This was also reported on thisisanfield.com (25/06/11).

Clarke was brought in when Kenny Dalglish returned to the club in January and the Scot has played a key role in getting the Reds season back on track. Clarke has drawn praise from senior staff, players, the manager and the board for the role he played in Liverpool’s mini-revival under Dalglish last year.

I am likely not alone in thinking that retaining the services of Clarke should be judged as a both great move by the club, and something of a triumph for those who convinced him to stay. In terms of his coaching style, Clarke has a reputation in particular for improving the defensive side of teams. The improvement of the performances of players such as Martin Skrtel and Glen Johnson amongst others improved dramatically following his arrival.

Nicola Saric – As reported in the TTC last week, Saric has been released on a free transfer. The LiverpoolECHO (26/06/11) now reports that the 20 year old Bosnian is now joining Croatian outfit Hajduk Split on a free transfer:

“Everything is going according to plan and there are no more obstacles for Nikola to move to Hajduk,” said his father Predrag Saric. “In the next few days he will sign for the next three years.” “He is ready to move on after three years of pure hell at Anfield.”

Saric was highly rated when the Reds beat off competition from Barcelona to sign the striker back in 2008, but he failed to realise his potential – failing to break into the first team during his three years at Anfield. The story is also carried in the Chester Chronicle (22/06/11).

Whilst Saric’s father may have bitter words to say about his son’s time at Liverpool. Such words do not mask that Saric had sufficient time in which to make an impact at Liverpool, that he did not suggests that he was simply not good enough. The words of the father are not those of the son however, and should not be attributed to him. All the best in the future to Nicola Saric. Here’s hoping he makes a name for himself and fulfils his potential.

I hope you enjoyed this digest of the latest ‘outgoing’ transfer speculation at Liverpool Football Club. Expect many twists and turns ahead over the next couple of months. Each Tuesday I’ll get you all up to date on any future developments or news relating to the potential destinations of Liverpool players. Other players may seem conspicuous in their absence – What about Jovanovic! What about Cole! I hear you cry. They have not been forgotten. In the cases of certain players not being mentioned, it is because there has been a lack of clear interest or speculation relating to that player thus far. I suggest checking the previous weeks TTC to search for the most recent rumours relating to other players. Expect the rumours to gain new impetus once the European window opens properly on the 1st of July.

It remains to be seen in the cases of many of Liverpool’s players whether they will stay or go this summer. The Tuesday Transfer Column aims to collect all the information available and to develop coherent, sensible views and opinions on the probable destinations of those players which most likely to leave.

Be sure to check back here each Tuesday for the weekly review of transfer speculation on outgoing players at LFC. By next Tuesday (05/07/11) – expect BIG developments to be taking place.

As always, any feedback or suggestions are always welcome. Thanks for reading! Any ideas, comments or suggestions can be sent to barryjourno@hotmail.com.

Follow us on twitter @live4Liverpool or like us on Facebook

Live4Liverpool is recruiting columnists. For further info contact the site editor at live4liverpool@snack-media.com

This week it is former LFC WAG Jennifer Metcalfe!

————–
CLICK ON THE IMAGE OR HERE TO GET TO THE GALLERY