HacksawJimDuggin wrote:We have been previously linked with Alves. Is he not a Right Back? I wouldn't trade in Finnan for anyone.
HacksawJimDuggin wrote:Rafa aims to Kop Downing
By PHIL THOMAS
STEWART DOWNING is a shock name on Rafa Benitez’s list of summer targets.
But the Liverpool chief faces an uphill struggle if he is to prise the England rookie from Middlesbrough.
Benitez made regular checks on Downing, 21, over the closing stages of the season and was mightily impressed.
He is still keen to land a wide player, despite Chilean Mark Gonzalez’s imminent arrival from Albacete after a work-permit wrangle delayed the deal last year.
Now much will depend on Boro playing ball on Downing, who is under contract until 2010.
Benitez is also hunting a striker, and saw his chances of landing Jermain Defoe increase yesterday when Spurs agreed a £10.9million deal for Bayer Leverkusen’s Bulgarian hitman Dimitar Berbatov.
Defoe knows his failure to play regularly last season was a major factor in his failure to win a World Cup slot.
And though Mido is leaving, Defoe’s chances of being first choice have not been helped by Berbatov’s capture.
Benitez is on the verge of landing Brazilian Dani Alves from Seville.
The £8m-rated right-back, 23, said: “Liverpool is a very appetising option because of the Spanish coach they have and the players they have there from Spain.
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