The Tuesday Transfer Column - Who’s Leaving Liverpool?

It’s been a busy week of speculation relating to possible departures from Anfield. No less than fourteen players have been linked with moves away from Anfield over the last seven days. The TTC aims to sort the wheat from the chaff as regards to rumours. So without further adieu, here we go.

Peter Gulacsi – As revealed in last week‘s TTC (05/07/11), Gulacsi is expected to move to Hull on a season-long loan. The move has not yet been finalised, but is expected to be completed within days. Gulacsi is expected to compete with new signing Adriano Basso to be the Tigers No.1 goalkeeper next season.

Skysports (11/07/11) have reaffirmed that the deal is still being negotiated and that Hull are optimistic of completing the deal soon. Hull director of football, Adam Pearson stated on the issue:

“If we’re successful in completing the deal, he’s a keeper with a lot of potential, Steve Walsh watched him a lot last season at Tranmere and he’s very highly thought of at Liverpool. There were a number of clubs interested in him so if we get the deal over the line, we’ll be delighted. We’re keen to have another keeper to challenge for the No.1 shirt. Adriano Basso is in the box seat. He’s here and it’s up to him to show he can take the role.”

The talented Hungarian would benefit from first team football. Whether he will agree to a move without assurances over the first-team chances he will get at Hull remains to be seen however. A year on the bench at Hull would benefit neither LFC or Gulacsi.

Milan Jovanovic – The Serbian has been told he is free to look for another club. Greek outfit Olympiakos are said to be interested. Skysports (05/07/11) cited Jovanovic as saying:

“I got the paper from Liverpool that I am free to search for a new club Up to now, I still haven’t received an official offer from Olympiakos, but I am looking forward to hearing their plans.”

In the report – Anderlecht, Club Brugge, Schalke and Stuttgart are touted as other possible destinations for Jovanovic.

Further reports as the week progressed confirm that Jovanovic will indeed be leaving. He has already met with Anderlecht in Qatar to discuss a move, while Sporting Lisbon and Benfica have also shown an interest, a report on Goal.com (08/07/11) cites Jovanovic telling Sport/Foot Magazine:

“I’m still under contract with the Reds, but they’ve agreed to let me go on a free transfer when I find a new club. I’ve had a meeting with Anderlecht and it was quite interesting. I had dinner with [club president Roger] Vanden Stock and [director of football Herman] van Holsbeeck. They made a good impression on me. We”ll have to wait and see, but it’s definitely an interesting option.”

Live4Liverpool (11/07/11) cites a report in the Daily Star which claims that Aston Villa have shown an interest in the Serbian International, and may be prepared to pay a fee to land him.

Getting Jovanovic off the wage bill is a priority for Liverpool as Dalglish seeks to raise additional funds for further signings. His contract has been stated as costing Liverpool approximately £120,000 a week. Since the decision to let ‘Jova’ go, there has certainly been a lot of interest in the player.

David Ngog – As reported in last weeks TTC, Sunderland have cooled their interest in Ngog due to his high wage demands. Aston Villa and Fulham have been linked with a move for the French striker according to the Liverpool Echo (05/07/11). A £4m price-tag has been suggested.

Chris Mavinga – The Liverpool Echo (05/07/11) also reports that Mavinga is also available for transfer following the end of his loan spell with Belgian outfit Racing Genk. As mentioned in last week‘s TTC, Genk are reportedly keen to retain his services on a permanent basis, while reports in France suggest Rennes and Villarreal are also in the hunt to sign him.

Mavinga is currently with the France squad ahead of the Under-20 World Cup in Colombia later this month. The 20-year-old left-sided defender was signed by Rafa Benitez in 2009 but has so far failed to break into the first team and would command a fee of around £1million.

Rennes coach Pierre Driosi stated to L’Equipe:

“Mavinga? He is a player we are following and we are interested in him. But it is too early to talk about it.” Skysports (07/07/11)

Joe Cole – Cole has been linked with a move to QPR – Footybunker.com (15/07/11) claim that money gained from the prospective sale of star player Adel Taarabt (a £13.5m fee is mentioned) will fund the deal. The story however, is largely hypothetical and has little in terms of fact to support it.

News of a possible departure destination for Cole has been far and few between until now. Further reports link the midfielder with a move to Tottenham in the event of selling Luca Modric Enfield Independent (06/07/11) and with a move to Aston Villa as part of the Stewart Downing deal Goal.com (07/07/11). Both seem unlikely.

Perhaps a more realistic option for Cole is a return to West Ham. Caughtoffside.com (07/07/11) claims the Hammers are interested, whilst the madness of Gold and Sullivan should never be underestimated. East-end paper The East London and West Essex Guardian Series (08/07/11) reckons that a loan deal is a more likely option than a permanent deal.

The Mirror (09/07/11) reports that Bundesliga outfit Hamburg have shown an interest in Cole. The German club’s new sporting director Frank Arnesen, who worked with Cole at Chelsea, is keen to give the Liverpool outcast an escape route from Anfield.

The report adds that whilst QPR, West Ham, Tottenham and Fulham have all enquired about bringing Cole back to London they cannot get close to his £90,000-a-week Liverpool wages. Hamburg however are prepared to offer a fee and a sizeable wage for Cole’s signature.

Paul Konchesky – Caughtoffside.com (07/07/11) claim that in addition to trying to sign Joe Cole, West Ham may also look to bring in Konchesky. The report claims that the deal for both players would cost $7.5m.

The Mirror (10/07/11) claims that Leicester are interested in a £1.5m deal for the left-back.

The Daily Telegraph (12/07/11) have today reported that Konchesky is on the verge of moving to Leicester City and will link up with Sven-Goran Eriksson’s side tonight in Sweden for a medical.

Stephen Darby – Championship outfit Doncaster and League One trio Rochdale, MK Dons and Oldham all showed an interest in Darby last week, as reported by Skysports (06/07/11).

SkySports (07/07/11) have since confirmed that Rochdale have won the race for the young full-back on a season-long loan. Good luck to Darby next season. As Liverpool are certainly stocked with quality right-backs for the foreseeable future, the 22-year will old be looking to impress at the League One outfit in order to impress both current and prospective employers.

Emiliano Insua – Football Italia (07/07/11) reports that Roma are interested in the Argentine left-back. Insua’s agent Rodrigo Vilarino stating to calciomercato.com:

“We have spoken to the Roma sporting director Walter Sabatini, the [Insua] situation, at the moment, is on stand-by. I don’t know how much he would cost, that all depends on Liverpool.”

That Roma are chasing a new left-back is no secret, after missing out on key target Gael Clichy, also a Liverpool target, a move for Insua is a realistic prospect. As always, we’ll keep you informed at the TTC.