by The_Rock » Sat Jan 01, 2005 2:22 pm
http://www.talklfc.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=6590
Pablo Aimar to become a Red?
As of midnight the January transfer window has officially opened. It will stay open until 31 January and then close till summer. Below you'll find a brief explanation of the workings of the transfer window courtesy of our friends at bbc.co.uk.
So far Liverpool have been linked to many players since Rafa Benitez took over, mostly from Spain. That makes sense when you consider that all of his signings in August came from there.
It is clear that the Reds are short upfront. Michael Owen was never properly replaced and Djibril Cisse is out till next season. Fernando Morientes has already stated that he is coming to Liverpool. Regardless of what other news sources may say, the deal is as good as done. Morientes has made up his mind and has stated so in numerous Spanish newspapers and the official site ran the story aswell. They would not run something that isn't 100% certain.
Nicolas Anelka is another name linked to the Reds. If he and Morientes are both signed that must mean someone is leaving in the summer. This could be Florent Sinama Pongolle or Neil Mellor but Milan Baros hasn't commited his future to the Reds yet either. Baros was quoted as saying his dream is to play for Barcelona and that club has already stated an interest in the player after their move for Djibril Cisse fell through in the summer.
Pablo Aimar was quoted on bbc.co.uk as saying he wanted to move to Anfield aswell. The comments have since then been denied but the BBC is as reliable as sources come in this business so there is definitely some smoke on the horizon. And where there's smoke...
Central defenders have been another position in which we've been linked to everyone and their brother. Talklfc.com scooped with Benitez interest in Pablo Ibanez but all this happened shortly after the last transfer window closed and it has gone quiet on that front since. This may have something to do with cash and priorities but it could well mean that Benitez is happy with the way Jamie Carragher and Sammi Hyypia are getting used to zonal marking.
Fact remains that none of Pablo Ibanez, Alexis and Coloccini are really any better than what we have at the club already. Djimi Traore has been rock solid all year aswell and he may be moved inside sooner rather than later.
Whatever happens, it is an exciting time at the club as we will see the next stage of the Rafalution. What it will bring, only Rafa knows.
How does it work?
The transfer window will be open between 1 and 31 January. However if the 31st is a Saturday - not the case this year - Premiership transfers can still go ahead until 1700 GMT the following Monday.
In the case of signings from abroad, international clearance has only to be requested by 1700 on 31 January. Permission can then be granted at a later date.
But all players hoping to be used in European competition must be registered with Uefa by 1100 on 2 February.
The Premier League has announced clubs will not be allowed to field players bought in the transfer window until 5 January.
Although players can be officially bought and sold from New Year's Day, the registration and administration process means clubs can not field new acquisitions on 1 January or the next full programme two days later on 3 January.
That means Southampton and Fulham will be the first clubs able to showcase new talent when they meet at St Mary's on 5 January.
The transfer window will then reopen on the last day of the season.
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