Ever Banega: Roy Hodgson to Bring £8.5M Rafa Target to Liverpool
According to reports in both the Spanish and Argentine press Liverpool’s interest in signing Valencia’s talented young midfielder Ever Banega has not ended despite Rafa Benitez leaving. Roy Hodgson is keen on adding his predecessor’s target to the Anfield ranks. The young Argentinean had been a long-term target of Benitez but also David Moyes who attempted to sign the 22-year-old on loan last summer. However, it would seem that Liverpool rather than Everton are still in the race for his signature with an £8.5m fee being touted.
Last summer Everton attended a home office meeting in London to push through the necessary paperwork to seal a late transfer window move but the deal could not be agreed. The Toffees loss could still be Liverpool’s gain as he could be a very exciting signing for the club and fill the role that was vacated by Xabi Alonso’s exit last summer. With Banega’s compatriots Javier Mascherano and Emiliano Insua set to depart from Anfield, Roy Hodgson will have the funds available to sign both the Argentine and his other central midfield target Steven Defour.
The 22-year-old joined Valencia in January 2008 but after just 48 League appearances for the club (40 starts) the Spanish side are likely to offload the youngster. Valencia’s financial problems are well documented but they are set to take a loss on a player signed for £14m. Despite selling David Villa and David Silva, Valencia are ready to do business. Ironically, Banega has had his best season with the club in 2009/10 after making 35 league appearances (33 starts) which is a major breakthrough considering in his first season he only started seven league matches and then was loaned out to Atletico Madrid. However, despite a tough start to his time in Europe, Banega has shown enough talent to impress Rafa Benitez and now Roy Hodgson who is keen to bring him to Liverpool to form a new central midfield with Standard Liege’s Steven Defour.
The youngster has endured a difficult time since joining the Spanish giants. He was signed by Ronald Koeman who was soon sacked and then was also embroiled in a webcam scandal in Argentina similar to that of former Eastenders star Leslie Grantham. Not the best way to start your career at a new club especially one that was severely and surprisingly struggling in the league. Despite a poor 2007/08 season by their standards, Valencia did end up winning the Copa Del Rey. However, despite featuring in 5 cup matches including both legs of the semi against Barca, Banega did not feature in the final.
Banega was loaned out to Atletico Madrid in 2008/09 where he made 24 league appearances but only started 5 of those games while scoring just one goal. The player had suggested he wished to remain with the Madrid club but Atletico did not make a permanent move.
Banega told So Foot at the time that he “wants to continue at Atleticoâ€, but knows that lack of communications suggests the feeling wasn’t mutual.
“I am young but not naive. If they have not spoken with me then it is bad. In any case, I will not return to Valencia, even though I still have a contract with them,†he said. However, despite his comments and Everton’s interest he did return. Now his time in Spain looks to be coming to an end with Liverpool set to start negotiations ahead of positive feedback from the player in Provencias.
Despite struggling in Spain, the player that turns 22 in June has won 3 senior caps for his country against Guatemala, Mexico and USA. He was also part of the Argentine side that won the U20 World Cup in Canada in 2007 and the gold medal at the 2008 Olympics. He played alongside the likes of Atletico Madrid’s Sergio Aguero in both of those tournaments. He also represented his nation at the Toulon Tournament where Argentina finished 3rd. Banega is a skilful deep lying playmaker who is mobile and likes to dictate the tempo of his side which is something that Liverpool have lacked following Alonso’s sale. If Defour signs too, the Reds will possess a far more mobile unit which is comfortable on the ball and will not squander possession lightly. These two would free Steven Gerrard to get forward at will and would provide England’s captain with plenty of precise incisive passes.
The young star was born in Rosario, Santa Fe and began his career with Boca Juniors where he came through the youth ranks. He replaced Real Madrid star Fernando Gago in the Boca Midfield when the former star moved to Real Madrid and after just 28 League appearances for the club Valencia stepped in with a big money bid. His last game for the Buenos Aires club was in the World Club Championship 4-2 final defeat to AC Milan.
Banega is a central midfielder very much in the Michael Carrick mould rather than Roy Keane’s. His main attributes are his excellent passing ability, tactical discipline and ability to read the game. The Argentine is not afraid to tackle as 25 bookings and 4 red cards in 100 career League games perfectly illustrates and could turn out to be a key signing for Liverpool who are looking to bounce back from a poor season with a new-look side next season. Roy Hodgson is expected to make a number of changes at the Liverpool this summer, Ever Banega looks set to be one of the first new arrivals at Anfield as the Reds rebuild.