Liverpool Transfer: Joe Cole Out, Clichy In? Kadlec, Micah Richards and More
"Don't believe the 200 or so stories on potential player 'swoops'. Now maybe if the rosters expand by 175 or so... Every day new names!" said John W. Henry, Liverpool FC owner a couple of days ago.
Although "roster" is most likely to be associated with Baseball and not football, the so called 200 players linked are with his Boston Red Sox club, with 10 percent of that having been linked with Liverpool FC by now.
The summer transfer window is the one where teams and squads overhaul take place—not that Liverpool need one.
Upon completing the January transfer window, Kenny Dalglish—Liverpool's current manager—stated that the owners were a bit disappointed that they could not bring in a couple more players.
Now, what that most likely means is that Liverpool will be in for the players in summer and Henry will most likely be giving a checkbook worth about £40 million—including money raised from player sales.
Here are the latest in this week's transfer gossip related to Liverpool.
Have your say.
Joe Cole out in Summer?
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The 29-year-old England International's career was supposed to be revitalized with the same vigor and charm he once used to bring in his games at Chelsea FC few years ago.
However, getting the red card on his Anfield debut and the following eight months of see-saw battle between Europa League and Premier league spots only tell us what's happening in his career right now.
Although, Kenny Dalglish has said that he would wait for Cole to be fit completely and get his pace back as soon as he could because he is a top class player.
Joe Cole just recently—in an interview after Liverpool's dismal, and deserved, 0-1 loss to Braga—stated that it has been a difficult season with Liverpool, and he has found himself preferred merely in the Europa league.
On the other hand, Harry Redknepp is rumored to still be interested in the Londoner as he chased Cole down to the wire back in summer 2010—only for Cole to snub Spurs for a £90,000 a week Liverpool wage.
Harry Redknepp is not the only future suitor for the ex-Chelsea midfielder. As West Ham United are also linked with the player.
With John Henry reviewing all the big wage deals and players in summer, it is highly likely that Liverpool will let Cole go, especially if Alberto Aquilani returns to Anfield from his loan spell with Juventus in the summer.
Gael Clichy: Shock Liverpool Move?
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It was reported that Liverpool are in for a shocking £17 million move for the Arsenal full back—or left back—in the summer.
Gael Clichy, 25, has been with the London outfit for about eight years now, and he has seen his side winning the premier league and the FA cup.
Unfortunately, the five-year trophy drought seems to be affecting players mentally more than anything now.
The Toulouse born left back has been stalling new contract talks for some time now. Clichy's current contract expires in the summer of 2012—a year from now—and Arsenal have been wanting to extend that contract in order to keep his suitors away, only to fail as he has said any talk about a new contract will happen at the end of the current season.
Liverpool, alongside Juventus, are said to be in for the shocking transfer, and a fee of up to £17 million could be splashed by either club in summer.
However, chances of the Turin club spending that amount on a left back is indeed slim—as they can't seem to afford the £12 million asked for Aquillani—leaving Liverpool in the running.
Liverpool will be looking to strengthen their left side of pitch—possibly by buying a known left back and a pacey left winger—in the summer, and Gael Clichy seems to fit the bill perfectly if he indeed wants out from Arsenal.
Clichy has been one of the top left backs in the premier league till now, and at 25 he has a few years of top class defending left.
Liverpool will be looking to sign at least one marquee left back, and only time will tell if it will be Gael Clichy or not.
Michal Kadlec, the Czech Left Back Is Honored to Be Linked with Liverpool
3 of 5Michal Kadlec has been linked with a move to Liverpool in the summer and has been saying that it's only flattering to be connected with the Anfield club.
"I know that they were present at our early season game against Dortmund, which we won 2-0 but I don't know whether there has been any progress since then," he said.
"To be connected with such a big club flatters me. Who would not be tempted to play in the Premier League?"
Kadlec, 26, currently plays for the German outfit—Bayern Leverkusen—in the left-back position but could also disposed in the centre back position if it needed cover.
Seems like every left back in the world are being connected with a move to Liverpool as the 18 time English champions are looking to add a top left back to solve their most troubled position now.
A fee in the region of £5 million to £8 million should be enough if Reds want to land the talented left back in summer.
One of the most interesting and flattering reality of Kadlec's play is that he has received a mere 11 yellow cards—no red cards yet—in his 100 plus appearances in Bayern Leverkusen over five seasons now.
A player of this quality for a back up left back position will indeed be useful for Liverpool.
Micah Richards Linked with a £18 Million Move
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Daily Mail recently speculated that Micah Richards will be moving out of Eastlands outfit—Manchester City in the summer.
The 22-year-old England International has reportedly said to have instructed his agents, who are in talks with a number of premier league clubs including Liverpool, Arsenal and Spurs, that he's considering it.
Liverpool have been linked with the City defender during the January transfer window and are said to be interested in opening the talks once again in the summer.
Whether Liverpool needs another defender is a question to ask, especially after looking at Jamie Carragher back in action in his emphatic form. Although, a replacement for Carragher will be needed once the Liverpool legend hangs his boots up—but not anytime soon.
Harry Redknepp—Spurs boss—is also reported to ignite their pursuit of Richards again in summer.
A £15 to £18 million fee should be enough for either club for Richards' signatures.
The amount of truth in the aforementioned rumors is anyone's guess as Richards seems happy with the Blue side of Manchester.
Oscar Wendt and Emilio Izaguirre
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Oscar Wendt:
The Swedish international has become a "top priority" for Liverpool, according to various reports in Sweden.
The weekend—or even the week—wouldn't have gone through us without reading the news that every possible left back on the planet has been linked with Liverpool.
Wendt has been tauted as the top priority for Liverpool because he has not re-signed the contract which makes him a free transfer in summer—just like Taiwo who seems a better option than Wendt.
Liverpool scout Jakob friis-Hansen was reported to be interested and has submitted a scouting report to Kenny Dalglish, according to Sport.co.uk.
The player himself has denied a possible move to Barcelona—one of the suitors for the Swede—and Bayern Munich.
Emilio Izaguirre:
The Celtic full-back, 24, will snub Liverpool and Arsenal in preference to Barcelona, said the player's representatives.
Izaguirre has been playing in the form of his life and has attracted clubs such as Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United—all from premier league—but the player's agent insist that his playing style suits Barcelona and a move could be on the cards in summer.
Whether Barcelona needs a full back or not remains to be seen, however, a hefty £10 million for the Honduras left back is likely to put any clubs off.
The player has been playing in Scotland for a mere six months and doesn't warrant a £10 million price tag.
