Winston Reid Bid Readied by Liverpool in Latest Reds Transfer Rumours
Liverpool are reportedly ready to test West Ham United’s resolve on the sale of Winston Reid by tabling a £6.5 million offer for the defender, per Steve Stammers of the Daily Mirror.
The New Zealand international is out of contract at the end of the campaign and, having rejected a new deal at Upton Park, will be allowed to leave for free upon the expiration of his current deal.
The Hammers will understandably be tempted by the offer, but landing Reid won’t be as easy as it sounds for the Reds, as Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Everton are also rumoured to be after his signature, as reported by Joe Short of the Daily Express.
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Plus, West Ham are desperate to keep hold of the centre-back and extend his contract, with co-chairman David Sullivan saying that only an astronomical bid will be accepted, via Short:
"We wouldn’t let Winston go unless it is a silly deal, and I don’t think anyone would pay the money we want. I still believe there is a 30 per cent chance he will stay. He tells us he still hasn’t made up his mind and we want him to stay.
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Liverpool will be hoping that Reid fancies a shot at pastures new, then, but just how big an impact could he have in the red shirt?
The Reds’ defence has been a little shambolic for the past few seasons—it’s cost them pride, points and even last season’s Premier League title.
The capture of Dejan Lovren from Southampton didn’t sort 2013/14’s issues out, and in truth, it would likely be the same story with Reid.
Sure, he has a lot of Premier League experience under his belt and is one of a dying breed of old-fashioned centre-backs, but that’s not what Liverpool need.
The Reds already have players such as Martin Skrtel and Mamadou Sakho who can take a brutish approach; they need a ball-playing defender to lead their attacks from the back.
Reid, sadly, isn’t that.
That much was summed up by his recent performance at Anfield, as he looked out of his depth against the pace of Raheem Sterling and simply flabbergasted by the brilliance of Philippe Coutinho.
That said, £6.5 million for a player who could provide a decent level of defensive cover for games in which manager Brendan Rodgers fancies resting a few players is something of a bargain.
Former Arsenal player Alan Smith seems to think so too, telling Sky Sports that he rates Reid very highly indeed:
"Along with a lot of other West Ham players, he has had a very good season and has actually had a very consistent over the last few years. He is an aggressive boy that likes to attack the ball and he has a good attitude.
He is one of those players that knows all about the Premier League. You buy somebody from abroad and you never quite know how long it's going to take them to settle or indeed if they can settle so that's an unknown quantity, whereas with Winston Reid he knows all about the Premier League and he is playing well at this level.
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As Reid is unlikely to be at the top of the list of players Rodgers would like to lead his defence, Liverpool could well get priced out of the move. But based on the Reds’ exciting style of play and forward-thinking philosophy, that’s not exactly a bad thing.
Yevhen Konoplyanka
No transfer window goes by without Yevhen Konoplyanka’s name doing the rounds, and Liverpool always seem to be connected to the Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk man.
This year is no different, and although a deal with Serie A side Roma was reportedly all but done, Russian football journalist Artur Petrosyan revealed that the 25-year-old would rather head to the Premier League:
Konoplyanka, who rejected Roma’s offer, is in a similar situation to Reid, in the sense that his contract expires in the summer. If Dnipro want to cash in on their star man, now may be their last chance.
Liverpool tried to sign the winger last summer, but the deal fell through after the clubs failed to agree on a fee. Rodgers will be determined not to let the same happen again, although he faces competition from Spurs.
Anthony Chapman of the Daily Express writes that Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino is also keen on bringing the midfielder to England to add his to exciting attacking line, and the clubs may well engage in a bidding war.
Liverpool could have the upper hand in that battle, though, as Konoplyanka himself recently revealed that he wanted to come to Liverpool last summer, via Chapman:
"Last time with Liverpool was different. I wanted to go there but the clubs could not agree terms [with each other]. My goal as a child was to play in England. The leagues are stronger and I still want to try my hand there."
Anyone who’s watched Konoplyanka will know what he’s all about. He’s direct, skilful and lethal when given a chance in front of goal.
The Ukrainian can fill the No. 10 role, but his best position is on either flank—just ask Glen Johnson.
The full-back was given the responsibility of keeping tabs on Konoplyanka during a World Cup qualifier at Wembley in 2012, but he could only watch in awe as the forward curled a beautiful goal beyond Joe Hart:
He gave the Englishman a torrid time all evening and demonstrated why he has the potential to be a huge star on the biggest stages.
Several of Liverpool’s new recruits are failing to spark in their new Premier League home, and while players always take time to adjust to the English top flight, Konoplyanka has been studying it and loving it since his youth.
It’s all just a question of whether Rodgers fancies dipping his hand into his pocket, but based on the Ukrainian’s class, it could be well worth it.
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