Saturday, June 6, 2009
NEWS......
The back pages are full of English cricketing incompetence, but they still find room for some juicy rumours. Top of the bill is The Sun's claim that, with Liverpool suddenly in deep financial doo-doo, Barcelona are set to launch a £20 million bid for Javier Mascherano. The Sun claims Rafa Benitez will either have to part with the Argentina midfielder or Xabi Alonso, who is the subject of a £24m bid from Real Madrid.
NEW RUMOURS.....
Here's the latest transfer rumours according to the Daily Telegraph...
Gareth Barry, who was on the verge of joining Liverpool from Aston Villa last summer, has signed for Manchester City.
Xabi Alonso remains a target for Real Madrid, with the Spaniards ready to use Negredo as bait.
Athletico Bilbao midfielder Javi Martinez has made it clear he wants a move to Merseyside.
Benitez will go head-to-head with Chelsea in a bid to land Stephane Sessegnon from PSG. The Spaniard is also looking to land Adam Johnson
Glen Johnson, Portsmouth's £10m-rated fullback, is back on Rafa Benitez's radar.
Liverpool will face competition from Spurs for the signature of Carlos Tevez should Manchester United fail to agree a permanent deal with the Argentine when his loan deal ends.
Valencia winger David Silva is believed to be Benitez's primary target, though the manager admits he will have to spend wisely after being given just £20 million to spend, on top of whatever he raises from player sales.
Gareth Barry, who was on the verge of joining Liverpool from Aston Villa last summer, has signed for Manchester City.
Xabi Alonso remains a target for Real Madrid, with the Spaniards ready to use Negredo as bait.
Athletico Bilbao midfielder Javi Martinez has made it clear he wants a move to Merseyside.
Benitez will go head-to-head with Chelsea in a bid to land Stephane Sessegnon from PSG. The Spaniard is also looking to land Adam Johnson
Glen Johnson, Portsmouth's £10m-rated fullback, is back on Rafa Benitez's radar.
Liverpool will face competition from Spurs for the signature of Carlos Tevez should Manchester United fail to agree a permanent deal with the Argentine when his loan deal ends.
Valencia winger David Silva is believed to be Benitez's primary target, though the manager admits he will have to spend wisely after being given just £20 million to spend, on top of whatever he raises from player sales.
NEWS......
Benitez faces struggle to keep Mascherano out of Barcas clutches
Benitez faces struggle to keep Mascherano out of Barcas clutches
Benitez faces struggle to keep Mascherano out of Barcas clutches
Rafa Benitez is struggling to hang on to unsettled midfielder Javier Mascherano in a new blow that further compounds the financial crisis engulfing Anfield.
Already reeling from mounting debts that are hampering plans for strengthening his Liverpool squad, Benitez is now facing an uphill struggle to keep Mascherano from Barcelona's clutches.
The Argentina skipper's wife, who is currently back home in South America, has struggled to settle on Merseyside. And Mascherano feels he has fallen behind others on pay after a recent round of rises at Anfield.
Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola has discussed a £22million move for Mascherano, 25 on Monday. As Benitez braces himself for another raid on his Liverpool squad in the wake of Real Madrid's £20m bid for Xabi Alonso, he canonly hope takeover talks involving Indian company GMR come to fruition and rescue his transfer strategy.
With Gareth Barry lost to Manchester City and Valencia winger David Silva reportedly in talks with Real Madrid, he appears to be relying on beating Chelsea to Portsmouth right back Glen Johnson for any sort of significant breakthrough.
Even then, a £15m-plus asking price would wipe out his budget, unless GMR, who hold the franchise for the Delhi Daredevils cricket team in the Indian Premier League, buy out co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett.
They may be in for some hard bargaining, though, after the under-fire Americans adopted a defiant stance over claims from the club's auditors that there was 'significant doubt' over the ability of parent company Kop Football (Holdings) Ltd tocontinue as a going concern.
Hicks and Gillett dismissed the warning, as 'accountancy speak' and insisted that, even with a £77m increase to £359m, Liverpool's level of debt was lower than the rest of the Barclays Premier League's top four.
They reiterated their determination not only to meet a July 24 deadline for refinancing but to push through plans for a 73,000- capacity stadium at nearby Stanley Park.
Benitez faces struggle to keep Mascherano out of Barcas clutches
Benitez faces struggle to keep Mascherano out of Barcas clutches
Rafa Benitez is struggling to hang on to unsettled midfielder Javier Mascherano in a new blow that further compounds the financial crisis engulfing Anfield.
Already reeling from mounting debts that are hampering plans for strengthening his Liverpool squad, Benitez is now facing an uphill struggle to keep Mascherano from Barcelona's clutches.
The Argentina skipper's wife, who is currently back home in South America, has struggled to settle on Merseyside. And Mascherano feels he has fallen behind others on pay after a recent round of rises at Anfield.
Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola has discussed a £22million move for Mascherano, 25 on Monday. As Benitez braces himself for another raid on his Liverpool squad in the wake of Real Madrid's £20m bid for Xabi Alonso, he canonly hope takeover talks involving Indian company GMR come to fruition and rescue his transfer strategy.
With Gareth Barry lost to Manchester City and Valencia winger David Silva reportedly in talks with Real Madrid, he appears to be relying on beating Chelsea to Portsmouth right back Glen Johnson for any sort of significant breakthrough.
Even then, a £15m-plus asking price would wipe out his budget, unless GMR, who hold the franchise for the Delhi Daredevils cricket team in the Indian Premier League, buy out co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett.
They may be in for some hard bargaining, though, after the under-fire Americans adopted a defiant stance over claims from the club's auditors that there was 'significant doubt' over the ability of parent company Kop Football (Holdings) Ltd tocontinue as a going concern.
Hicks and Gillett dismissed the warning, as 'accountancy speak' and insisted that, even with a £77m increase to £359m, Liverpool's level of debt was lower than the rest of the Barclays Premier League's top four.
They reiterated their determination not only to meet a July 24 deadline for refinancing but to push through plans for a 73,000- capacity stadium at nearby Stanley Park.
NEWS......
Expert casts doubt over Liverpool transfers
06 Jun 2009 - 09:05:00
Uncertainty over the state of Liverpool's finances and future ownership of the club will disadvantage them in this summer's transfer market, according to a leading football financial analyst.
Despite sources close to American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett insisting there is no concern over the current level of debt, the £42.6million loss posted by parent company Kop Holdings has raised doubts over their ability to compete for top-quality signings.
Tom Cannon, professor of strategic development at Liverpool University's school of management, believes unless the finances can be sorted out swiftly manager Rafael Benitez is likely to lose out on more top targets.
England international Gareth Barry was high up on the wish-list last summer but the £18million quoted by Aston Villa was deemed too much and the midfielder this week completed a surprise move to Manchester City for £12million.
"You can understand why they did not compete more aggressively for Gareth Barry," Cannon said after Liverpool's figures for the year ending July 2008 revealed Hicks and Gillett were paying £36million interest on the £350million loan they took out to buy the club.
"I think Rafael Benitez is in a very powerful position because he has a lot to offer players who want to come in but he is operating under very strict trading conditions. This is certainly going to hit Benitez's budget significantly. It is hard to see they could buy the quality of player at the kind of price they are going for this summer without selling."
06 Jun 2009 - 09:05:00
Uncertainty over the state of Liverpool's finances and future ownership of the club will disadvantage them in this summer's transfer market, according to a leading football financial analyst.
Despite sources close to American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett insisting there is no concern over the current level of debt, the £42.6million loss posted by parent company Kop Holdings has raised doubts over their ability to compete for top-quality signings.
Tom Cannon, professor of strategic development at Liverpool University's school of management, believes unless the finances can be sorted out swiftly manager Rafael Benitez is likely to lose out on more top targets.
England international Gareth Barry was high up on the wish-list last summer but the £18million quoted by Aston Villa was deemed too much and the midfielder this week completed a surprise move to Manchester City for £12million.
"You can understand why they did not compete more aggressively for Gareth Barry," Cannon said after Liverpool's figures for the year ending July 2008 revealed Hicks and Gillett were paying £36million interest on the £350million loan they took out to buy the club.
"I think Rafael Benitez is in a very powerful position because he has a lot to offer players who want to come in but he is operating under very strict trading conditions. This is certainly going to hit Benitez's budget significantly. It is hard to see they could buy the quality of player at the kind of price they are going for this summer without selling."
NEWS......
Gerrard eyes signings like Torres
Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard
Gerrard is bracing himself for a fresh challenge from Chelsea
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is eager for the club to sign players of "Fernando Torres' level" in order to win the Premier League title.
The 29-year-old believes that although Liverpool made progress last season in finishing runners up to Manchester United summer recruits are needed.
"We've finished the season without a trophy, which hurts," said Gerrard.
"How do we go to the next step? Get more players of Torres' level. He is a massive player for us."
The 25-year-old Spanish striker scored his 50th goal for the Reds on the final day of the league season and signed an improved contract with the Anfield outfit in May.
Torres also has 58 caps for his country and played a starring role when Spain won Euro 2008.
Gerrard, who believes Chelsea will be stronger next season after appointing Carlo Ancelotti as boss, insisted the title could head to Anfield for the first time since 1990 if manager Rafael Benitez is able to bring in the targets he wants.
606: DEBATE
I can't see us buying anyone until some of the fringe players such as Pennant, Voronin and Degan have gone
RedWidget (U11496196)
"We are getting really close to becoming champions. Our next two or three signings as far as we are concerned are crucial to push on and try and go one better than this year," he stated.
"If we can keep Torres fit and add a little bit more quality to our squad we can become champions.
"Manchester United won the league because they had that spark coming off the bench, that little bit more strength in depth."
Gerrard also backed his former Liverpool team-mate Michael Owen to rediscover his form and force his way back into the England squad.
Owen was part of the Newcastle squad relegated to the Championship in a disastrous season on Tyneside.
The 29-year-old scored 10 goals in 32 games for the Magpies throughout the campaign but did not hit the net in his final 12 games as Newcastle slumped.
Gerrard welcomes Ancelotti challenge
The striker is expected to move from St James' Park this summer and Gerrard believes his friend will come good again.
"I'm a big fan of Michael Owen, a good friend of his. I'd love to see him get a move from Newcastle to a big club and get his England career back on track," added Gerrard.
"I do believe he can play for England again. He has suffered a lot with injuries for the past couple of years but I believe a fit Michael Owen has got the ability to be involved in the squad.
"I'm sure he will be desperate to get back playing football again, staying fit and scoring goals. That is what he loves doing."
Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard
Gerrard is bracing himself for a fresh challenge from Chelsea
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is eager for the club to sign players of "Fernando Torres' level" in order to win the Premier League title.
The 29-year-old believes that although Liverpool made progress last season in finishing runners up to Manchester United summer recruits are needed.
"We've finished the season without a trophy, which hurts," said Gerrard.
"How do we go to the next step? Get more players of Torres' level. He is a massive player for us."
The 25-year-old Spanish striker scored his 50th goal for the Reds on the final day of the league season and signed an improved contract with the Anfield outfit in May.
Torres also has 58 caps for his country and played a starring role when Spain won Euro 2008.
Gerrard, who believes Chelsea will be stronger next season after appointing Carlo Ancelotti as boss, insisted the title could head to Anfield for the first time since 1990 if manager Rafael Benitez is able to bring in the targets he wants.
606: DEBATE
I can't see us buying anyone until some of the fringe players such as Pennant, Voronin and Degan have gone
RedWidget (U11496196)
"We are getting really close to becoming champions. Our next two or three signings as far as we are concerned are crucial to push on and try and go one better than this year," he stated.
"If we can keep Torres fit and add a little bit more quality to our squad we can become champions.
"Manchester United won the league because they had that spark coming off the bench, that little bit more strength in depth."
Gerrard also backed his former Liverpool team-mate Michael Owen to rediscover his form and force his way back into the England squad.
Owen was part of the Newcastle squad relegated to the Championship in a disastrous season on Tyneside.
The 29-year-old scored 10 goals in 32 games for the Magpies throughout the campaign but did not hit the net in his final 12 games as Newcastle slumped.
Gerrard welcomes Ancelotti challenge
The striker is expected to move from St James' Park this summer and Gerrard believes his friend will come good again.
"I'm a big fan of Michael Owen, a good friend of his. I'd love to see him get a move from Newcastle to a big club and get his England career back on track," added Gerrard.
"I do believe he can play for England again. He has suffered a lot with injuries for the past couple of years but I believe a fit Michael Owen has got the ability to be involved in the squad.
"I'm sure he will be desperate to get back playing football again, staying fit and scoring goals. That is what he loves doing."
Liverpool
* In (signed): None
* In (rumours): Brede Hangeland (Fulham); Negredo (Almeria via Real Madrid); Kleber (Cruzeiro); Gabriel Heinze (Real Madrid); Glen Johnson (Portsmouth); Ezequiel Lavezzi (Napoli); Paolo De Ceglie (Juventus)
* Out (signed): None
* Out (rumours): Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid); Javier Mascherano (Barcelona); Andrea Dossena (Juventus); Andriy Voronin (Hertha Berlin, Wolfsburg); Dan Agger (Milan); Jermaine Pennant (Sunderland)
* In (signed): None
* In (rumours): Brede Hangeland (Fulham); Negredo (Almeria via Real Madrid); Kleber (Cruzeiro); Gabriel Heinze (Real Madrid); Glen Johnson (Portsmouth); Ezequiel Lavezzi (Napoli); Paolo De Ceglie (Juventus)
* Out (signed): None
* Out (rumours): Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid); Javier Mascherano (Barcelona); Andrea Dossena (Juventus); Andriy Voronin (Hertha Berlin, Wolfsburg); Dan Agger (Milan); Jermaine Pennant (Sunderland)
NEWS......
Barca set sights on Mascherano
Barcelona are planning to play on Liverpool's financial woes by submitting a a £20million bid for Javier Mascherano.
In the wake of reports that emerged on Friday, Liverpool's American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett have insisted that the future of the club is not under threat.
However, the pair have just over six weeks to agree a refinancing package on the loan they took out to buy the Barclays Premier League side in 2007.
Accountants KPMG expressed concern over the level of debt being incurred by Kop Football Holdings, Liverpool's parent company, after it posted losses of £42.6million in the year ending July 2008.
As a result of Liverpool's plight, the recently crowned champions of Europe are ready to approach the Merseyside giants in a bid to attract Mascherano, a player held in the highest regard by Barca boss Pep Guardiola.
The Catalan approach is sure to provide Reds boss Rafa Benitez with yet another headache, as he is steeling himself to persuade Xabi Alonso that he should reject a reported £24million bid from Spanish giants Real Madrid.
Mascherano joined Liverpool at the beginning of 2007, and still has three years of his current deal remaining.
Barcelona are planning to play on Liverpool's financial woes by submitting a a £20million bid for Javier Mascherano.
In the wake of reports that emerged on Friday, Liverpool's American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett have insisted that the future of the club is not under threat.
However, the pair have just over six weeks to agree a refinancing package on the loan they took out to buy the Barclays Premier League side in 2007.
Accountants KPMG expressed concern over the level of debt being incurred by Kop Football Holdings, Liverpool's parent company, after it posted losses of £42.6million in the year ending July 2008.
As a result of Liverpool's plight, the recently crowned champions of Europe are ready to approach the Merseyside giants in a bid to attract Mascherano, a player held in the highest regard by Barca boss Pep Guardiola.
The Catalan approach is sure to provide Reds boss Rafa Benitez with yet another headache, as he is steeling himself to persuade Xabi Alonso that he should reject a reported £24million bid from Spanish giants Real Madrid.
Mascherano joined Liverpool at the beginning of 2007, and still has three years of his current deal remaining.
NEWS......
Liverpool owners may sell Stateside
Liverpool owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett may sell all or part of their American sport franchises to avoid financial meltdown at Anfield.
According to leading football finance analyst Professor Tom Cannon of the Liverpool University Business School, any outside investment appears unlikely and that debts of £42.6million in the year to August 2008 by the club's parent company mean decisive action has to be taken.
That loss was mainly due to the £36million of interest payments Kop Football Holdings had to make to service the debt taken on to buy the club.
Auditors have warned that the need to refinance loans by July 24 cast "significant doubt" on the future of the group as a going concern.
In January, Kuwaiti billionaire Nasser Al-Kharafi offered £425million for overall control, but the Americans only want to sell 50% - which is a significant hurdle to further outside investment.
"It is almost hard to imagine they can resist the pressure on them to bring in another investor," said Professor Cannon.
"But whether another investor will come in on the type of conditions Hicks and Gillett seem to be asking is open to question.
"I think it is more likely Hicks will sell some of his interest in the Texas Rangers (baseball team) or [Gillett will sell] the Montreal Canadiens (ice-hockey team).
"They desperately need new finances, not least to take the burden of this debt and the related interest.
"They can't really seriously think in terms of another six-month extension - they need long-term secure financing."
Prof Cannon said the stark warning from the auditors should be cause for concern for Liverpool fans and everyone connected with the club.
"Accountants like KPMG don't use the language they used lightly. They are worried about the ability to continue on the present basis," he told Sky Sports News.
"I have not heard accountants talk about a top club in a way like that before.
"Fans should be very concerned. Turnover is going up, trading profit is going up but they are still making a loss.
"Interest charges are the most worrying element. With debts of £300million-plus it is costing them £35million - they are paying an awful lot of money on their debt.
"They seem to be paying rates of 10% - that shows how difficult it has been to refinance their debt."
The report by accounts KPMG on the annual accounts stated: "The group has credit facilities amounting to £350million which expire on July 24 2009.
"The directors have initiated negotiations to secure the replacement finance required by the group and these negotiations are ongoing.
"These conditions... indicate the existence of a material uncertainty which may cast significant doubt on the group's and parent company's ability to continue as a going concern."
Liverpool owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett may sell all or part of their American sport franchises to avoid financial meltdown at Anfield.
According to leading football finance analyst Professor Tom Cannon of the Liverpool University Business School, any outside investment appears unlikely and that debts of £42.6million in the year to August 2008 by the club's parent company mean decisive action has to be taken.
That loss was mainly due to the £36million of interest payments Kop Football Holdings had to make to service the debt taken on to buy the club.
Auditors have warned that the need to refinance loans by July 24 cast "significant doubt" on the future of the group as a going concern.
In January, Kuwaiti billionaire Nasser Al-Kharafi offered £425million for overall control, but the Americans only want to sell 50% - which is a significant hurdle to further outside investment.
"It is almost hard to imagine they can resist the pressure on them to bring in another investor," said Professor Cannon.
"But whether another investor will come in on the type of conditions Hicks and Gillett seem to be asking is open to question.
"I think it is more likely Hicks will sell some of his interest in the Texas Rangers (baseball team) or [Gillett will sell] the Montreal Canadiens (ice-hockey team).
"They desperately need new finances, not least to take the burden of this debt and the related interest.
"They can't really seriously think in terms of another six-month extension - they need long-term secure financing."
Prof Cannon said the stark warning from the auditors should be cause for concern for Liverpool fans and everyone connected with the club.
"Accountants like KPMG don't use the language they used lightly. They are worried about the ability to continue on the present basis," he told Sky Sports News.
"I have not heard accountants talk about a top club in a way like that before.
"Fans should be very concerned. Turnover is going up, trading profit is going up but they are still making a loss.
"Interest charges are the most worrying element. With debts of £300million-plus it is costing them £35million - they are paying an awful lot of money on their debt.
"They seem to be paying rates of 10% - that shows how difficult it has been to refinance their debt."
The report by accounts KPMG on the annual accounts stated: "The group has credit facilities amounting to £350million which expire on July 24 2009.
"The directors have initiated negotiations to secure the replacement finance required by the group and these negotiations are ongoing.
"These conditions... indicate the existence of a material uncertainty which may cast significant doubt on the group's and parent company's ability to continue as a going concern."
NEW ROMUORS.....
Dossena keen on Juventus move
Andrea Dossena hopes to leave Liverpool for a "new life" with Juventus this summer.
The Italian left-back has only had one season at Anfield but has struggled to adapt to the pace of the Premier League, leaving him behind Fabio Aurelio and Emiliano Insua in the battle for a first-team spot.
"I have talked to [Rafael] Benitez. He is a wonderful person and has understood my problem," Dossena told Tuttosport.
"He told me that if they receive an offer that satisfies both the club and me, he will facilitate my transfer. I would run to Juve. They showed interest in me last year, but then Liverpool stepped in and wrapped things up in less than an hour.
"In England they play continuously and the hardest training session does not last more than 40 minutes, but I need to train longer.
"Now I truly hope to join Juve and start a new life."
Andrea Dossena hopes to leave Liverpool for a "new life" with Juventus this summer.
The Italian left-back has only had one season at Anfield but has struggled to adapt to the pace of the Premier League, leaving him behind Fabio Aurelio and Emiliano Insua in the battle for a first-team spot.
"I have talked to [Rafael] Benitez. He is a wonderful person and has understood my problem," Dossena told Tuttosport.
"He told me that if they receive an offer that satisfies both the club and me, he will facilitate my transfer. I would run to Juve. They showed interest in me last year, but then Liverpool stepped in and wrapped things up in less than an hour.
"In England they play continuously and the hardest training session does not last more than 40 minutes, but I need to train longer.
"Now I truly hope to join Juve and start a new life."
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