by Penguins » Sat Jun 09, 2007 3:03 pm
This is and Article by Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo
RAFA BENITEZ is considering a swoop for former Manchester United striker Diego Forlan or Real Zaragoza’s Diego Milito as he revises his striking targets according to his budget restrictions.
While the feverish speculation has focused on high profile signings such as Barcelona’s Samuel Eto’o or West Ham’s Carlos Tevez, Benitez has concluded he doesn’t have the funds required to operate in that end of the transfer market.
Now his scouts have drawn up a list of alternative forwards costing in the region of £16-£18m, which would still be club record fees, with Uruguayan Forlan and Argentinian Milito heading the possibilities.
Milito, 27, the older brother of one time target Gabriel Milito, has scored 33 goals in 71 games in Spain. Barcelona have also been tracking him.
Forlan wasn’t considered a success during his time at Old Trafford, but he’s excelled in La Liga at Villarreal where he averages a goal every two games.
He has an exit clause of around 24m euros.
Most of Benitez’s budget this summer, as in previous years, would appear to coming from player sales and Champions League winnings.
He’s hoping to raise as much as £15m from selling Craig Bellamy and Harry Kewell.
Although he’s received assurances from the new owners he will be supported, he’s still not been told exactly how much he can spend.
He’s still awaiting the green light to move for Roma winger Allessandro Mancini, while the deal to bring Florent Malouda to Anfield has been ongoing for some time.
With the manager keen to make recruitments as soon as possible, he’s no intention of pursuing a seemingly futile chase for the player he’d really like – Eto’o – in the continued absence of any suggestion he could afford the African.
In relative terms, signing a striker costing £16m will eclipse most of the Premiership, but Liverpool fans may be disappointed the kitty doesn’t appear to be in place to make the signing which would be the real signal of intent in the pursuit of United and Chelsea.
Unless the club’s American owners are more specific on what Benitez can afford, he’ll continue to monitor his alternative list of strike targets.
On a more positive note, Benitez is thrilled to have secured so many key players on longer term deals.
Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher, Pepe Reina, Momo Sissoko and Steve Finnan have made it a busy week.
“It was a priority to secure the future of players already here who represent the future of the club,” said Benitez.
“Now we need look at our other options. We have sent out a positive message by signing these players on longer deals. We knew it was important to keep the spine of our team together.”
This says alot and even if it isn't the truth to 100% there sure is some truth to it.
And I don't expect us to sign up every player we want the 1st couple of weeks into the window, BUT i do expect us to make one signing early to show our intent, our ambitions.
So far we haven't done jack all and no matter what anyone says, that is very dissapointing.
And we will never win any league with 2nd, 3rd choices.
Buying players for 15m+ is a must and it has to become a regular occurence like manure and Chelski if we are ever to compete. Even if some believe hard work, luck and tactics will make all well and good.