This article contains a brief overview of transfer stories that do not yet merit their own article on Anfield Online.
Liverpool’s latest target according to the gossip mill is Sunderland midfielder Jordan Henderson. The 20 year old has signed a 5 year contract with the Black Cats as recently as April 2010. Rumours suggest that Sunderland desire £20M, whereas Liverpool are only keen to travel as far £13M.
Palermo playmaker Javier Pastore is rumoured to have had a massive £44M price tag placed on his head after interest from Chelsea. Liverpool have also been linked with the player.
Antonio Conte, the new Juventus coach, is not believed to be a fan of Alberto Aquilani, which could see the player’s potential move to Anfield scuppered. As far as we understood – Alberto’s loan contract with the Italian club was due to end on June 1st. Alberto’s whereabouts are currently unknown but Dalglish is believed to be happy to welcome the player back to Anfield.
Three Englishmen and a Scotsman linked with LFC’s midfield, Stewart Downing and Ashley Young (both of Aston Villa), Joey Barton (Newcastle) and Charlie Adam (Blackpool), continue to dominate the domestic transfer stories. The media say that Villa will let Young go (1 year left on contract) but will fight to keep Downing (2 years left). It is Downing who the reds are more intent on grabbing. Ashley Young appears to be ready to go to United but will decide after England’s match at the weekend. Joey Barton is refusing to sign a contract at Newcastle meaning he could sign a Bosman deal in the winter. It is possible that Newcastle have planted the stories around Barton in order to flesh out interest from other clubs at a price of £10m+. Meanwhile Charlie Adam is also more heavily linked with Manchester United – ironically because he believes he has more chance of getting a game at Old Trafford than at Liverpool. The recent retirement of Paul Scholes appears to have left a gap that Adam thinks he can make his own.
The reds reserve keeper Peter Gulacsi is likely to be sent on loan next season. Liverpool are believed to be scouring for another back up keeper for Pepe Reina, allowing the 20 year old Hungarian shot-stopper to gain more experience at a higher level.