As Liverpool go forward in yet another underachieving season, having just about lost all hope of mounting a title challenge as early as the turn of the year, Rafael Benitez is looking to improve his squad.
With the transfer window reopening on January 1st, so did a flood of rumours linking players with moves to and from Anfield in the next few weeks. Here’s a run down of the most hotly-talked about transfer gossip over the last couple of days.
Javier Mascherano (pictured OUT – to Man. City, Man. Utd, Juventus, Inter Milan, AC Milan. The reported ongoing disagreements between Benitez and club owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett over transfers looks set to frustrate Rafa further if the club’s slow response to the transfer window means missing out on signing the Argentine midfield maestro. Mascherano’s lease to Liverpool expires this summer and reports suggest several clubs are already lurking to meet the £17million asking price of the international.
ITV reported today “Serie A giants Juventus are reportedly tracking Javier Mascherano’s situation at Liverpool with great interest.”
Momo Sissoko OUT – to Juventus. Could Juventus be ready for a double Anfield swoop. Linked with Mascherano (above), the Italians are set to table a bid for midfielder Sissoko, who is currently away on international duty in the African Nations with Mali. The same ITV reports says, “The Mali international has had few opportunities to impress this term and Italians may step up their pursuit if they miss out on Mascherano.”
Wayne Bridge IN – from Chelsea. Reports suggest that Liverpool are set to end England international Wayne Bridge’s unhappy time at Stamford Bridge with a £6million bid for the 27-year-old left back. Where Fabio Aurelio’s going wrong, I have no idea.
Peter Crouch OUT – to Man. City / Michael Johnson, Nedum Onoha IN – from Man. City. The Manchester Evening News has reported that Manchester City boss Sven Goren Eriksson may be willing to let go his two highly-rated England U-21 internationals in a swap deal for his top transfer target this January, Crouch.
Xabi Alonso OUT – to Barcelona. The Mirror reports that Liverpool may sell Spanish midfielder Alonso, who has caught the attention of La Liga giants Barcelona, in order to finance the acquisition of Mascherano.
For more transfer rumours and discussion, head over to our Rumour Mill Forum.
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