Robbie Keane

Contrasting reports in today’s Daily Mail and Telegraph newspapers. The Mail claim “Robbie Keane is edging closer to a dream move to Anfield with Liverpool expected to submit an improved offer for the Tottenham striker within the next 48 hours” while the Telegraph write “Tottenham are determined to ward off any interest for their in-demand strikers Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov in light of renewed speculation linking the pair with respective moves away from White Hart Lane.”

Liverpool had a bid of £5m plus Peter Crouch turned down previously by Spurs. They now look set to bid nearer £20m for the Irish forward, whom Benitez sees as a perfect foil for Fernando Torres.

Gareth Barry

The Gareth Barry saga runs on with Barry “facing up to the sobering possibility of starting the season as an Aston Villa player”, according to The Guardian. Barry returned to training with Villa on Wednesday where he was expected to hold talks with Martin O’Neill but they have been delayed until Thursday. The Guardian write “Barry is keen to push through a move to Liverpool, although there is no sense that O’Neill or Villa’s owner, Randy Lerner, will drop their asking price.”

Villa’s refusal to lower their asking price leaves them with one unfit player who wishes to leave and £16m less money. They continue to value the England international much higher than most people on planet earth would, comparing to Javier Mascherano – 4 years younger than Barry.

Barry picked up a foot injury in his first training session back which will keep him out for roughly a week.

Scott Carson

The Liverpool goalkeeper is a wanted man, with bids having been accepted from West Brom and Stoke City earlier in the week, Blackburn now look interested in signing Carson for around £4m. New Rovers boss Paul Ince sees Carson as an ideal replacement for Aston Villa-bound Brad Friedel.

Elsewhere, left winger Sebastien Leto is attracting interest from Olympiakos – Liverpool will find out in the next 10 days if his work permit is succesful – and will make a decision following that. Jermaine Pennant continues to be linked with Blackburn Rovers, as David Bentley’s replacement.

See also: Rumour Mill