Serie A stopper coy on Liverpool FC interest
by Richard Buxton. Published Tue 06 Apr 2010 15:52, Last updated: 2010-04-06
Lazio defender Aleksandar Kolarov feels proud to have been linked with a move to Liverpool, who lead a trio of Europe's elite reportedly interested in securing his services.
The Serbian full-back has been linked with a move to Anfield this summer with Fabio Aurelio sidelined by injury and Emiliano Insua enduring an unimpressive campaign that has left questions over his Anfield future.
Kolarov would join international team mate Milan Jovanovic if he were to trade the Italian capital for Merseyside, but Real Madrid and Inter Milan have also expressed an interest with former Lazio team mate Goran Pandev reportedly urging the 24-year-old to join him at the San Siro.
He said: "I open the newspapers on a daily basis and find that different clubs are interested in me.
"The interest from Real Madrid, Liverpool and Inter cannot but flatter me.
"However, up until now there has never been anything concrete."
A move for the defender by Rafael Benitez would be dependent on Liverpool securing fresh investment, with the £110 million offer from the Rhône Group for a 40% stake being rejected by owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks, who refused to adhere to the group's deadline yesterday.
When probed on Pandev's alleged plea, Kolarov refuted the claims, insisting: "It's absolutely not true that he called me to ask that I move to Inter. We talk simply as two friends. We don't just speak about football."
Liverpool, meanwhile, agreed the sale of 18-year-old striker Vitor Flora who joined Goiás Esporte Clube in his native Brazil after failing to secure a regular role in the club's reserve team since his arrival in August 2008.
It was also confirmed that promising Swindon Town youngster Jamie Stephens will join the club's youth academy until 2012, with the goalkeeper signing a professional contract on his 17th birthday.
Stephens, 16, said: "The Academy is unbelievable. They have so many staff, everyone is so polite, and kind, it's really friendly, like a family club."