Houllier spends - Gh draws up shopping list
Posted: Wed Apr 07, 2004 2:18 pmGerard Houllier has made a new centre-half a priority for Liverpool this summer - despite the £14million ear-marked to lure Djibril Cisse from Auxerre.
The Anfield manager is pressing ahead with plans to strengthen his defence at the end of this season, when his own future will be under fierce scrutiny if Liverpool fail to reach the Champions League.
And long-term target Cisse may not be the only player to swap Auxerre for Anfield this summer if Houllier follows up his interest in defensive team-mate Philippe Mexes, (left).
Houllier has been concerned at the lack of pace in his rearguard this season, during which the established axis of Stephane Henchoz and Sami Hyypia has lost its famed resilience.
And having lost out on Jean-Alain Boumsong over financial terms in January he is considering a move for the other mainstay of Guy Roux's defence.
Mexes, a 22-year-old French international, is believed to be on a short-list of centre-halves drawn up by the Liverpool management along with Marseille's Daniel van Buyten and Nottingham Forest's Michael Dawson.
Auxerre want to sell Mexes this summer rather than lose him for nothing when his contract expires in 2005.
Both Manchester United and Roma have been linked with the pacy defender this season, although the Italians will be out of the race if Auxerre demand over £5m - leaving Liverpool in control if United fail to rekindle their interest.
Mexes's agent, Oliver Jouanneaux, confirmed: "Auxerre have told us that Philippe will be sold this summer.
"There were reports saying Spain was Philippe's preferred move but that is not true.
"After speaking to him I think the English style would be better for him. He would have more time to play, which is what he is good at.
"He will be expecting to play at a good club in the Champions League, but the essential thing is what the club and the coach has to say to him. We don't know where he is going, but we do know who has watched him."
Houllier, who is currently in France, is also an admirer of Belgian internationalvan Buyten.
The 26-year-old cost Marseille £13.5m from Standard Liege in July 2001 but was loaned to Manchester City in January ahead of an expected summer departure from the Stade Velodrome.
An ankle ligament injury has brought the defender's season to a premature end last month, and City manager Kevin Keegan admits he is unlikely to clinch a permanent deal.
"The deal we made is not very tight and I expect him to join a bigger club in the summer," said the former Liverpool favourite.
The Anfield manager is pressing ahead with plans to strengthen his defence at the end of this season, when his own future will be under fierce scrutiny if Liverpool fail to reach the Champions League.
And long-term target Cisse may not be the only player to swap Auxerre for Anfield this summer if Houllier follows up his interest in defensive team-mate Philippe Mexes, (left).
Houllier has been concerned at the lack of pace in his rearguard this season, during which the established axis of Stephane Henchoz and Sami Hyypia has lost its famed resilience.
And having lost out on Jean-Alain Boumsong over financial terms in January he is considering a move for the other mainstay of Guy Roux's defence.
Mexes, a 22-year-old French international, is believed to be on a short-list of centre-halves drawn up by the Liverpool management along with Marseille's Daniel van Buyten and Nottingham Forest's Michael Dawson.
Auxerre want to sell Mexes this summer rather than lose him for nothing when his contract expires in 2005.
Both Manchester United and Roma have been linked with the pacy defender this season, although the Italians will be out of the race if Auxerre demand over £5m - leaving Liverpool in control if United fail to rekindle their interest.
Mexes's agent, Oliver Jouanneaux, confirmed: "Auxerre have told us that Philippe will be sold this summer.
"There were reports saying Spain was Philippe's preferred move but that is not true.
"After speaking to him I think the English style would be better for him. He would have more time to play, which is what he is good at.
"He will be expecting to play at a good club in the Champions League, but the essential thing is what the club and the coach has to say to him. We don't know where he is going, but we do know who has watched him."
Houllier, who is currently in France, is also an admirer of Belgian internationalvan Buyten.
The 26-year-old cost Marseille £13.5m from Standard Liege in July 2001 but was loaned to Manchester City in January ahead of an expected summer departure from the Stade Velodrome.
An ankle ligament injury has brought the defender's season to a premature end last month, and City manager Kevin Keegan admits he is unlikely to clinch a permanent deal.
"The deal we made is not very tight and I expect him to join a bigger club in the summer," said the former Liverpool favourite.
