January Transfer Window Day 14
Here’s today’s LFC transfer rumours and reports. Pinch of salt recommended!
Vegard Forren – From Molde FK
Norwegian TV2 were first to report that Liverpool have had a bid accepted for the 24 year old Norweigan central defender, and that the player will fly to Merseyside on Tuesday for his medical. The Guardian say Molde’s asking price is £4m and Southampton are also interested.
Molde FK’s director Tarje Nordstrand Jacobsen has later denied this, and says they have not accepted any bids for the player.
“There has been, and still is, great interest surrounding Vegard, but we will not say anything until we have something concrete to say. So far we haven’t agreed anything with anyone.”
“I can confirm Vegard is travelling, but I don’t wish to say anything about where he’s going.”
Forren left Molde city Monday afternoon and was later pictured arriving at Manchester airport. The Times report he will begin a four-day trial at Liverpool.
According to the Molde based newspaper Romsdals Budstikke, five clubs from the Premier League have expressed an interest in the player the last two weeks, and many of them are now considering placing a bid.
Wesley Sneijder – From Inter Milan
Rumours about the Dutchman’s next possible destination are still contradicting themselves. A couple of days ago The Mirror claimed Liverpool had made a bid, but according to Sky Sports this is not the case after all.
The only thing known for certain is that Inter and Galatasaray have agreed a fee, and both clubs are now waiting for the 28 year old playmaker to make his decision. Inter’s club president Massimo Moratti has urged Sneijder to make his decision by the end of Monday, while the player himself wants to bide his time and not make a rushed move:
“There are still two weeks to go before the end of the transfer window, so there is time. I am relaxed, and I’m considering my options” said the Dutchman.
Whether there is genuine interest or not from Liverpool FC remains unknown, but we know from the fan meeting in December that Brendan Rodgers wants to add a no.10 to his squad.
There are many factors weighing heavily on the ‘pro’ side regarding Sneijder and a move to Liverpool: The transfer fee is almost ridiculously low. We are talking about arguably one of the best players in the world, who would fill a gaping hole in the squad and also happens to have grown up playing the type of football Rodgers wants his team to play. £8m looks like a steal.
As many will be familiar with though, his wages are the big issue. According to The Mirror he is currently earning £160,000 per week, which is higher than Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard. This means he would have to take a pay cut if he wanted to join The Reds, but with the low transfer fee in mind – and the fact that the club have got high earners like Joe Cole and Nuri Sahin off the books – it deal could be financially possible.
Sneijder though does not represent the reported FSG policy or profile of player.
Bafetimbi Gomis – From Lyon
The 27 year old striker currently has 18 months left on his contract. According to Sky Sports the French international has been linked to both Chelsea and Liverpool, and Lyon’s chairman Jean-Michel Aulas expects the player to sort out his future within this month:
“Bafe has talked about Chelsea in the past as they seem a very prestigious club to him, but there are also other propositions.
“Of course, all the talk is about him moving to England, but there are other European clubs interested in him too.
“I’m sure things will begin to accelerate in the next couple of weeks and we expect things to be sorted soon.”
With Liverpool already having Daniel Sturridge, Fabio Borini and Luis Suarez in the squad, it seems unlikely Brendan Rodgers will spend money on another striker when there are other and more pressing needs to take care of – like adding a bit of creativity in wide areas and attacking midfield.
And the rest:
Possibly the worst rumour of the window so far; The Mirror claim Liverpool are contemplating a summer move for Barcelona’s goalkeeper Victor Valdes. The Catalan team’s undisputed no.1 currently has 18 months left on his contract, and contract talks have supposedly stalled.
According to the Daily Star, Brendan Rodgers is interested in Bolton’s South Korean winger Chung-Young Lee. The 24 year old missed most of last season through a double leg fracture, but is now fully fit again and has notched up five goals in sixteen starts so far this season.
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