LFC Transfer Reports – Valero to return?

kenny dalglish

With Liverpool’s season effectively over except for the FA Cup Final on May 5th, and the dissection of a League campaign that looks set to end with the Club’s lowest points tally in their Premier League era, much talk has turned towards players coming in and out of Anfield this summer.

Last week it was widely reported that Dirk Kuyt and Maxi Rodriguez would be allowed to leave the club this summer, with both having struggled to hold down a regular place in the team and both age 31 there better years behind them.

Now, though, it is reported that the two could infact stay following the departure of director of football Damien Comolli last week.

Kuyt is believed to have a €1m release clause which he can activate this summer, and sparked interest from his former club Feyenoord and German side Hamburg. That clause is something that FSG were unhappy with and looks like one of the reason’s for Comolli’s departure.

A deal involving Kuyt returning to Feyenoord could involve 17-year-old midfielder Tonny Trindade de Vilhena – a Dutch under-17 international who has been scouted by LFC this season and described as ‘the best talent Feyenoord have produced since Van Persie’.

Another player who up until recently had been expected to complete his move away from Anfield is Alberto Aquilani. The Italian midfielder is on loan to AC Milan but is yet to activate an appearance clause that will mean the Serie A side will have to buy him, meaning he could end up back at Liverpool once again this summer.

Speaking of out on loan midfielders, Joe Cole has signaled his desire to remain at French side Lille. Cole has played “36 games this year, got nine goals, not missed a training session” and is “doing well” – according to the man himself.

Which brings us to one player who we’d like to see heading the opposite direction this summer – Lille’s Belgium playmaker Eden Hazard. A host of clubs are interested in the 21 year-old who looks certain to leave Lille this summer.

Man United manager Alex Ferguson has now declared his interest “I came to watch Lille play Lyon and followed Hazard of course, along with other players.

“He is a very good player who has many qualities. He is particularly fast over the first 10 yards.”

As ever, numerous names are being linked with Liverpool on a daily basis; including Mexican winger Hector Herrera, Chelsea‘s Solomon Kalou – who is out of contract this summer, Wigan’s Victor Moses, Blackburn’s Junior Hoillett – another who is out of contract, and Colombian forward Jackson Martinez.

Meanwhile, there has been much talk of former goalkeeper coach Xavi Valero returning to Melwood this summer. As reported previously, current goalkeeper coach John Achteburg is to leave his role with the first-team at the end of the season when his contract expires. Presumably FSG already have a replacement lined up and Valero, who is available having left Inter Milan when Rafa did, would fit the bill. He was highly acclaimed by Pepe Reina – and Fernando Torres – during his previous spell at Liverpool.

Perhaps most worringly regarding the summer, The Telegraph report today:

Principal owner John Henry spent last week on Merseyside trying to solve several logistical problems caused by Comolli’s departure.

The Director of Football conducted most of the day-to-day administration. Comolli liaised with agents to plan future transfers and contract extensions, so his absence is creating a vacancy which needs filling quickly if Liverpool are to avoid missing out on potential new recruits at the end of the season.

It looks set to be a very busy summer at Anfield, once again…

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