The day before the summer transfer window closes and speculation intensifies across the Premier League.
It’s been a busy summer for Liverpool FC, with five new signings already confirmed and Uruguayan defender Sebastien Coates set to become the sixth. He was at Melwood yesterday and the £7m signing should be completed today after yesterday’s Bank Holiday delayed the work permit process.
Most the speculation surrounding Liverpool though is regarding departures; with the futures of Raul Meireles, David Ngog, Joe Cole and Christian Poulsen all in doubt. Others such as Brad Jones and Philipp Degen are also free to leave the club, while there could be a loan or two heading out too.
Raul Meireles – To Chelsea
Chelsea have already had a bid turned down for the Portuguese player, that was of £7m (or £8m depending who you believe) plus former Reds midfielder Yossi Benayoun. The Telegraph report that the Blues will return with an improved offer for the former Porto man, who briefly worked with their new boss Andre Villas-Boas while at The Dragons.
Liverpool though are not interested in re-signing Benayoun, who left Anfield for Stamford Bridge last summer for £5m after becoming unsettled under Rafa Benitez. He now looks almost certain to leave Chelsea, with Arsenal and French side Lille in the running. Kenny Dalglish is hardly short of attacking midfielders and an 31 year old who angled for a move away from the club 12 months ago and has spent the last 9 out injured is hardly a requirement of the new plan.
David Ngog – To Bolton
French forward Ngog has been linked with a move from Anfield all summer and Bolton have long emerged as the favourites to sign the former PSG man. Having not featured in Dalglish’s squads for the new season – including the Cup match with Exeter last week – his future clearly lies away from Liverpool. Bolton are said to be bidding around £3m.
Joe Cole – To QPR / Spurs
Another of last summer’s failed signings could finally be leaving Liverpool after a summer of speculation linking him with moves back to London. Again, he hasn’t featured in the new plans at Anfield and is free to leave. Twitter rumours suggest he will have a medical at a London club on Tuesday, with QPR and Tottenham the two main contenders, as they have been throughout the summer.
Christian Poulsen – To anyone (please)
Having been dropped from the Denmark squad last week, his agent talked up a move away from Anfield, but thus far nothing concrete has materialised – wonder why – although he was loosely linked with Espanyol over the weekend and has hinted at a return home to FC Copenhagen.
Here’s hoping.
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