Liverpool chase hardman Van Bommel
Kenny Dalglish is close to the first signing of his second spell in charge at Anfield, with Liverpool tabling a bid for Mark Van Bommel
Jonathan Northcroft
Published: 16 January 2011
Kenny Dalglish is close to the first signing of his second spell in charge at Anfield, with Liverpool tabling a bid for Mark van Bommel that meets Bayern Munich’s valuation of their defensive midfielder.
Van Bommel, the Holland captain, has been told he can leave Bayern for any club willing to pay €3m (£2.53m) for his services. Liverpool have made such an offer, although they face competition from AC Milan, who have also bid €3m. A number of other clubs are interested in the 33-year-old but only Liverpool and their Italian rivals have come forward with solid bids.
Van Bommel has long spoken of his desire to play in England, although the lure of AC Milan, who unlike Liverpool can offer Champions League football, is considerable.
Van Bommel has wanted to leave Bayern since the German giants refused his request for a new two-year contract earlier this season. He has just six months left on his current deal, hence his low price tag. With Bayern having signed another central midfielder, the Brazilian, Gustavo, from FC Hoffenheim, the Germans had entered the January transfer window willing to let Van Bommel go.
A snag has developed, however, in the shape of an injury crisis. Bayern’s chief executive, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, is expected to hold a meeting tomorrow with Christian Nerlinger, their general manager, and Louis van Gaal, their coach, at which a decision on Van Bommel’s future will be made. Liverpool’s case may be helped by the fact that relations between Van Gaal and Van Bommel have become strained.
Van Bommel, a former PSV Eindhoven and Barcelona player, was instrumental in getting Holland to the World Cup final and is seen as an experienced, combative performer who can give authority to a Liverpool midfield that has struggled this season after the departure of Javier Mascherano. Christian Poulsen and Raul Meireles have not convinced in the role Mascherano used to fill and Liverpool have once more relied too much on Steven Gerrard, who is suspended for today’s Mersey derby at Anfield. Van Bommel also brings a degree of passing ability, another quality Liverpool have lacked since Xabi Alonso left.
