by Stan Laurel » Tue Jan 11, 2005 12:53 am
Rafael Benitez remains confident that Fernando Morientes will become a Liverpool player in the next two days but warned he will not let the proposed transfer drag on further this week.
The Liverpool manager said the player wants to come to Anfield and said the Reds are trying to arrange a deal with Real Madrid.
Benitez said: "The first thing is the player wants to come to Liverpool. We don't have any news at the moment but I am always an optimist and I believe Morientes will become a Liverpool player. I am sure that we can bring him here.
"The only thing we can do at this moment is wait. I think in a few days if we cannot do anything then we will fight for another player."
Benitez wouldn't be drawn into definite answers concerning other transfer targets but said there are players out there he admires.
Benitez said: "When we want to sign a player my first look is in England then if that player is too expensive or a club won't let him leave, then you need to look at other leagues and I look in Spain."
When asked about interest in former Reds striker Nicolas Anelka and 13 goal Crystal Palace striker Andy Johnson, Benitez would not confirm or deny but only say: "Anelka is a good player, Johnson is a good player also. Both players are scoring goals and playing well."