Rafa Benitez’s transfer activity continued this week with the signings of Spaniard Emmanuel Mendy and Frenchman David Ngog. The signings indicate Liverpool’s continuing policy of snapping up the best young talent from around Europe.
Mendy, 18, arrives on a free from Murcia Deportivo, a Spanish third division side and is expected to compete for a replace in the reserves set-up under Gary Ablett. He has been described as ‘œsmall but powerful’ and has been given a three-year deal.
Ngog, 19, has been signed for an undisclosed fee (thought to be about £1.5m) from Paris Saint Germain. Whilst his league form last year, 1 goal in 14 appearances, is nothing to be excited about, his international form is excellent with 5 in 6 at u16 level, 2 in 6 at u17 and 3 in 3 at u19.
Ngog is a tall (6ft 3), pacy striker with an eye for goal. Ngog’s poor club form is attributed partially to PSG struggles in the league last year (16th), also of his 14 appearances 6 were as a substitute. He is to go straight into the first team squad and with a deal for Robbie Keane looking more and more likely his signing could signal the end of Andriy Voronin’s Liverpool career, despite his promising pre-season form.
See also: Transfer Activity, Summer 2008
