We tried to, Bayern blocked the move.
Transfer window nearly upon us
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We tried to, Bayern blocked the move.
I like Shaquiri but we are not short on small, fast wingers (plus have Jordan Ibe and Ojo coming through, maybe Harry Wilson too) and have much bigger priorities.
I'd say we have a decent chance of getting Cech on loan because we will not threaten Chelsea this season and could take points off their rivals. Love to see us agreeing an option to buy as well.
Delph on a small fee allowing for his Bosman in the summer would give us pace, energy, ball-carrying and pressing in centre midfield to supply the legs alongside Gerrard. And at the risk of doing a Southampton and signing multiple players from one club, I would go for Benteke with the money we would get from off-loading a few duds like Balotelli and Borini. Benteke is quick, very strong, great in the air, has attitude and a work ethic and scores goals, many out of nothing. He also has vision, his touch and passing are good and he holds the ball up. He is the real deal IMO.
That's our spine improved massively - a top class goalkeeper, an athletic box-to-box holding midfielder and a big, physical goal-scoring striker who would improve us in both penalty areas.
The thing with Shaquiri is that he gets goals. He's not a winger who simply stay's wide and provides crosses - he puts the ball in the back of the net. He's fast, got great technique and plenty of drive. The big(gest) thing for me though is his movement. I've been critical of Rodgers (and whoever else was involved) for not replacing the individual attributes that Suarez took with him. Only Lallana, really, replaces one and that's his effort to close down and work hard without the ball. Shaq is almost hyper-active in this area - the guy never stops moving. He chases lost causes and I've watched him score goals for Bayern in the exact way Suarez did for us - harrying opponents, stealing the ball and then just burying it. He's certainly not Surarez level but he's so busy I think it would be a good deal just for that. The fact he brings speed, technique and goals just ices it for me.
I'd agree with everything else in the post.
Honigstein reckons he is close to joining Juventus on loan with an option to buy
Yep. On Rafa.
No he was a gobshite who tried to Lord over people on here and he sailed well over the racism line too many times.
Can't wait for the transfer windowzzzzzzz
Only the Metro.
Liverpool are close to signing West Brom striker Saido Berahino in a deal worth £23.5million, according to reports. Berahino, who has told West Brom he wants to leave this week, looks destined to change clubs in the January transfer window. Spurs have been linked with a bid, but reports suggest Liverpool are set to win the race for the player in the coming days. Liverpool are said to be pushing to close the deal shortly, and are hope the fee offered will blow other interested parties out of the water. Berahino has eight goals in 21 matches this season and is rated as one of the most exciting young players around.
Liverpool are close to signing West Brom striker Saido Berahino in a deal worth £23.5million, according to reports. Berahino, who has told West Brom he wants to leave this week, looks destined to change clubs in the January transfer window. Spurs have been linked with a bid, but reports suggest Liverpool are set to win the race for the player in the coming days. Liverpool are said to be pushing to close the deal shortly, and are hope the fee offered will blow other interested parties out of the water. Berahino has eight goals in 21 matches this season and is rated as one of the most exciting young players around.
Wow. Utter madness.
http://eurorivals.net/top-scorers.html
according to this lacazette and icardi are better bets that Berahino. Our track record with Italians suggests avoiding the latter.
according to this lacazette and icardi are better bets that Berahino. Our track record with Italians suggests avoiding the latter.
Icardi is Argentinian.
take it back. Let's sign him, any one know how he plays?
Not sure why we need Benteke, we already bought Origi who is (going to be, if he develops as planned) a better all-around player and we have Lambert for the "physical" part. Balotelli will be here at least until the summer, so the only question in January is whether we can replace Borini with someone better.
To be fair we need a lot more than a Borini replacement. We've been absolutely hamstrung (😉) by Sturridge's injury and it's a much better than even chance that he'll be in the hospital ward again before the end of the season. We need someone who can step into Daniel's role and provide consistent goals.
Take your pick of this lot...
http://www.theguardian.com/football...ow-20-premier-league-targets-for-january-2015
http://www.theguardian.com/football...ow-20-premier-league-targets-for-january-2015
Lasse Vibe it is!
Some pundit on the radio mentioned Cavani as a possible signing for us earlier. Only caught the tail end of whatever discussion there was though.
I remember us being linked to him about a year ago, while he was still in Argentina.
Not sure why we didn't just get the deal done then for a fraction of the price.
Not sure why we didn't just get the deal done then for a fraction of the price.
From 6th Nov...
PROFILE By Ben Hayward | Spanish Football Writer
Luciano Vietto is living the dream. The young Argentine forward admitted he yearned to play in Europe after making his debut at Racing Club in his homeland. And following his move to Villarreal in the summer, that particular goal has now been accomplished, but the dream is only just beginning. Vietto was born in Cordoba and came through the youth system at Estudiantes, but was surprisingly released in 2010. The youngster was soon snapped up by Racing, however, and made his debut as a 17-year-old in October, 2011, under Diego Simeone. "He is a promising young player and he has worked hard for his chance," Simeone said at the time. But the current Atletico Madrid coach left Racing soon afterwards, with Vietto making just three appearances under the former Argentina midfielder. Simeone's replacement, Luis Zubeldia, used the young forward regularly in 2012-13 and Vietto responded with goals of many different kinds. Fast, with excellent dribbling skills, a powerful right foot, good aerial ability and a fine finisher, Vietto netted 13 times in 34 appearances in his first full season. Those included one stunning strike from outside the area against San Martin and another reminiscent of Lionel Messi, as the forward ran from deep, beat several defenders and finished with a low drive inside the post versus Argentinos Juniors.
"Vietto is different," Zubeldia said. "He has the face of a young boy, but he does amazing things on the pitch." That was no understatement and Vietto's performances had not escaped the attention of Europe's biggest clubs, with the forward scouted by a number of top teams, including Atletico, Borussia Dortmund, Juventus, Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain and Valencia. Italian World Cup winner Mauro Camoranesi, who played with Vietto at Racing, predicted big things for his talented team-mate. "Vietto is similar to [Sebastian] Giovinco," the retired midfielder said. "He plays a little closer to the area than Seba, but he has a lot of talent for such a young player. He will go far." And former Argentina striker Diego Milito, who is also winding up his career at Racing, added: "He is a very impressive player - one of the best to emerge at Racing in a long, long time." Vietto struggled to replicate the impact he made in his first full campaign at Racing as the team struggled, scoring only five times in his second season. That dip in form meant some of his suitors were reluctant to follow up their interest with a firm offer, but Villarreal pushed for his signing and a £4.3 million move was completed in early August. "I'm a young player and I really want to learn," Vietto said at his presentation. "I want to achieve big things in football. Villarreal showed a lot of interest in me and that meant a lot. I hope to continue my development at this great club. Playing in Europe was a dream for me." Vietto signed a five-year contract with the Yellow Submarine and president Fernando Roig was excited by the Argentine's arrival. "He is a young player with a bright future and we have hopes for him," he said. "We believe he can help us to grow and we hope he can show that everything being said about him is true."
Villarreal expected Vietto to take time to adapt to European football and planned to ease him in to the first team. But the Argentine made an instant impact in pre-season as he made his debut in a 3-0 win over Swansea and looked like he had been part of the set-up for years - not days. "He's a young guy who really wants to do well and he has adapted so quickly," said coach Marcelino Garcia Toral. "We knew he was a player who could give us a lot and we thought he would adapt, but we are surprised at just how quickly he has adapted." In competitive action, the striker scored two and assisted another in the Europa League play-off win over Astana, before adding two more goals against Rayo Vallecano in La Liga and further strikes against FC Zurich and Sevilla, as well as a number of assists in Europe and the Primera Division. Such has been the impact of the striker nicknamed 'Lucky' that many Villarreal fans have been critical of Marcelino for leaving the youngster on the bench in recent matches.
Of his 14 appearances this term, only six have been starts and supporters of the Yellow Submarine believe the striker deserves a place in the starting line-up ahead of Mexico forward Giovani dos Santos. Vietto has also impressed for Argentina's Under-20 team, netting twice in the 2-2 draw with Bolivia last year, and his fine form for Villarreal has seen him touted for a call-up to the senior side. "That's still far away," the 20-year-old said last month. "The national team is something special and some of the best strikers of the world are there. It would be another dream for me." Playing as he is at the moment, however, it's another dream that looks likely to be realised soon.
PROFILE By Ben Hayward | Spanish Football Writer
Luciano Vietto is living the dream. The young Argentine forward admitted he yearned to play in Europe after making his debut at Racing Club in his homeland. And following his move to Villarreal in the summer, that particular goal has now been accomplished, but the dream is only just beginning. Vietto was born in Cordoba and came through the youth system at Estudiantes, but was surprisingly released in 2010. The youngster was soon snapped up by Racing, however, and made his debut as a 17-year-old in October, 2011, under Diego Simeone. "He is a promising young player and he has worked hard for his chance," Simeone said at the time. But the current Atletico Madrid coach left Racing soon afterwards, with Vietto making just three appearances under the former Argentina midfielder. Simeone's replacement, Luis Zubeldia, used the young forward regularly in 2012-13 and Vietto responded with goals of many different kinds. Fast, with excellent dribbling skills, a powerful right foot, good aerial ability and a fine finisher, Vietto netted 13 times in 34 appearances in his first full season. Those included one stunning strike from outside the area against San Martin and another reminiscent of Lionel Messi, as the forward ran from deep, beat several defenders and finished with a low drive inside the post versus Argentinos Juniors.
"Vietto is different," Zubeldia said. "He has the face of a young boy, but he does amazing things on the pitch." That was no understatement and Vietto's performances had not escaped the attention of Europe's biggest clubs, with the forward scouted by a number of top teams, including Atletico, Borussia Dortmund, Juventus, Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain and Valencia. Italian World Cup winner Mauro Camoranesi, who played with Vietto at Racing, predicted big things for his talented team-mate. "Vietto is similar to [Sebastian] Giovinco," the retired midfielder said. "He plays a little closer to the area than Seba, but he has a lot of talent for such a young player. He will go far." And former Argentina striker Diego Milito, who is also winding up his career at Racing, added: "He is a very impressive player - one of the best to emerge at Racing in a long, long time." Vietto struggled to replicate the impact he made in his first full campaign at Racing as the team struggled, scoring only five times in his second season. That dip in form meant some of his suitors were reluctant to follow up their interest with a firm offer, but Villarreal pushed for his signing and a £4.3 million move was completed in early August. "I'm a young player and I really want to learn," Vietto said at his presentation. "I want to achieve big things in football. Villarreal showed a lot of interest in me and that meant a lot. I hope to continue my development at this great club. Playing in Europe was a dream for me." Vietto signed a five-year contract with the Yellow Submarine and president Fernando Roig was excited by the Argentine's arrival. "He is a young player with a bright future and we have hopes for him," he said. "We believe he can help us to grow and we hope he can show that everything being said about him is true."
Villarreal expected Vietto to take time to adapt to European football and planned to ease him in to the first team. But the Argentine made an instant impact in pre-season as he made his debut in a 3-0 win over Swansea and looked like he had been part of the set-up for years - not days. "He's a young guy who really wants to do well and he has adapted so quickly," said coach Marcelino Garcia Toral. "We knew he was a player who could give us a lot and we thought he would adapt, but we are surprised at just how quickly he has adapted." In competitive action, the striker scored two and assisted another in the Europa League play-off win over Astana, before adding two more goals against Rayo Vallecano in La Liga and further strikes against FC Zurich and Sevilla, as well as a number of assists in Europe and the Primera Division. Such has been the impact of the striker nicknamed 'Lucky' that many Villarreal fans have been critical of Marcelino for leaving the youngster on the bench in recent matches.
Of his 14 appearances this term, only six have been starts and supporters of the Yellow Submarine believe the striker deserves a place in the starting line-up ahead of Mexico forward Giovani dos Santos. Vietto has also impressed for Argentina's Under-20 team, netting twice in the 2-2 draw with Bolivia last year, and his fine form for Villarreal has seen him touted for a call-up to the senior side. "That's still far away," the 20-year-old said last month. "The national team is something special and some of the best strikers of the world are there. It would be another dream for me." Playing as he is at the moment, however, it's another dream that looks likely to be realised soon.
Do Liverpool regret passing on striker Luciano Vietto?
In October 2011, Luciano Vietto was given his first team debut for Racing Club in Argentina. He only entered the field for five minutes towards the end of the game against Lanus, but for a 17-year-old kid that was a huge moment that will stay in his heart forever. Diego Simeone was the coach that day, and even though he left Racing just a few weeks later to take charge at Atletico Madrid, he remains a hero for the youngster. "Simeone trusted me, and I will be thankful to him for the rest of my life", Vietto said, upon arriving to Spain to sign for Villarreal this summer. On Sunday they met for the first time in Europe, as the Yellow Submarine came to Estadio Vicente Calderon to face the champions. Before the game started, Vietto went to the Atletico bench to greet Simeone, and the Argentines engaged in a long heartfelt hug. They looked like father and son who haven't seen each other for ages. Then the striker went to play and scored the winner against his mentor, to end Atletico's unbeaten home run that dated back to May 2013. It was some goal as well. Receiving the ball from a soft Moi Gomez pass, Vietto turned sharply on the edge of the area to leave Diego Godin for dead -- very few strikers have managed to do that to the experienced Uruguayan stalwart this year. Then, before Miranda could block his effort, the new star unleashed a fierce shot to leave keeper Miguel Angel Moya with no chance whatsoever. 1-0 with six minutes to go. The proud home record of Los Colchoneros was gone.
Such magnificent skills are no surprise to those who witnessed the start of Vietto's career in the Avellaneda district of Buenos Aires. He got his full debut in the starting lineup of Racing in September 2012, against San Martin San Juan, nearly a year after Simeone has left. Coach Luis Zubeldia informed the youngster about his decision just a few minutes before kickoff, and received a stunning display -- Vietto scored a perfect hat-trick. The first goal was an amazing long range effort with his right, the second a header which is quite unusual for a slim kid of 173 centimeters, the third a brilliant half-volley with his left. Rumours about the new prodigy compared to Sergio Aguero quickly reached Europe, and countless scouts went to see and evaluate the wonderkid. It was at that time, more than two years ago, that Liverpool were first linked to Vietto. The list of suitors was extremely long. Naturally, Simeone's Atletico were one of the front runners, and they considered signing Vietto in the summer of 2013 after Radamel Falcao was sold to Monaco. Real Madrid reportedly offered 8 million euros a year ago and were told that the striker is not for sale as yet. Juventus, Arsenal, Manchester City, Everton, Inter, Napoli, Udinese, Sevilla, Valencia, Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain were all mentioned as interested parties at one stage or another, and there were most probably tens of other clubs who became alerted. Even Leicester City tried their luck, while Nottingham Forest put a specific offer on the table in the summer. Vietto's agent, Jorge Cyterszpiler, was a very busy man. He confirmed that Liverpool were amongst the clubs he talked to in 2013, while stating that: "Vietto is the best young player in Argentina". One would expect that his price would skyrocket with every passing month, but in reality the opposite happened. His form dipped a bit in the beginning of 2014, and Villarreal manager to secure the 20-year-old talent for just 5.5 million euros, signing him to a five-year contract.
Why didn't Liverpool try harder to get the man they have been following so closely for so long when he was available at such a low price? Someone at the club would be wise to answer that question because, on the face of it, this is a fiasco of massive proportions. The Argentine has scored 10 goals and assisted seven more in just 22 games in all competitions this season, even though he was used as a substitute in the first few weeks. Compare that to contribution of the players who did arrive at Anfield in the summer. 16-million-pound-man Mario Balotelli has scored twice, none of them in the Premier League. Lazar Markovic, signed for 20 million pounds from Benfica, has barely played and is yet to find the net. Adam Lallana, bought for a cool 25 million, has two goals to his name. So does Rickie Lambert, who -- at about 4 million pounds plus add-ons -- cost approximately the same amount as Villarreal paid for Vietto. To put it bluntly, Vietto has easily outscored all of Liverpool's summer acquisitions combined. The emotional comeback of Lambert to the club of his childhood is a superb story, and he certainly deserved his chance, but there is very little logic in paying that sum for a 32-year-old journeyman and refusing to do so for one of the best South American prospects on the market. Vietto and Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone have a relationship that extends back to their time at Racing Club in Argentina. Obviously, Liverpool had to convince Vietto that they are the right place for him, and that wasn't an easy task. Given his past, the striker could only go to the club that made him feel wanted, where he could be assured of playing time on weekly basis. Villarreal were able to offer that, while Luciano knew that his development might stall at a bigger club with a bigger squad. That was a wise decision. When the striker was 16, he was released by Estudiantes who didn't believe in him in the slightest. He then went for a trial at Rosario Central and was told that he will never make it in football. Distraught, the youngster considered quitting the game altogether, only to be persuaded by his family, as well as Cyterszpiler, to give it another try.
That's how he came to Racing, and that's where Simeone spotted him. Three years later, both were naturally delighted on Sunday night when their former club sensationally won the title in Argentina, without them. "He is fast, makes smart moves and shoots the ball well with both feet," Simeone said before calling his protege into the first team in 2011. Now he could closely witness the progress Luciano has made since. Having scored just 18 goals in 72 games for Racing, his averages are much better in Spain thus far, and it looks like Villarreal coach Marcelino is able to get the best out of his star. Intelligent on the run, tactically aware, technically sublime, dedicated and a great team player, the sky is the limit for Vietto, who could indeed become the new Aguero if he keeps his professional attitude and everything goes according to plan. When that happens, expect Liverpool to be linked to him once again, but the price will be infinitely higher.
In October 2011, Luciano Vietto was given his first team debut for Racing Club in Argentina. He only entered the field for five minutes towards the end of the game against Lanus, but for a 17-year-old kid that was a huge moment that will stay in his heart forever. Diego Simeone was the coach that day, and even though he left Racing just a few weeks later to take charge at Atletico Madrid, he remains a hero for the youngster. "Simeone trusted me, and I will be thankful to him for the rest of my life", Vietto said, upon arriving to Spain to sign for Villarreal this summer. On Sunday they met for the first time in Europe, as the Yellow Submarine came to Estadio Vicente Calderon to face the champions. Before the game started, Vietto went to the Atletico bench to greet Simeone, and the Argentines engaged in a long heartfelt hug. They looked like father and son who haven't seen each other for ages. Then the striker went to play and scored the winner against his mentor, to end Atletico's unbeaten home run that dated back to May 2013. It was some goal as well. Receiving the ball from a soft Moi Gomez pass, Vietto turned sharply on the edge of the area to leave Diego Godin for dead -- very few strikers have managed to do that to the experienced Uruguayan stalwart this year. Then, before Miranda could block his effort, the new star unleashed a fierce shot to leave keeper Miguel Angel Moya with no chance whatsoever. 1-0 with six minutes to go. The proud home record of Los Colchoneros was gone.
Such magnificent skills are no surprise to those who witnessed the start of Vietto's career in the Avellaneda district of Buenos Aires. He got his full debut in the starting lineup of Racing in September 2012, against San Martin San Juan, nearly a year after Simeone has left. Coach Luis Zubeldia informed the youngster about his decision just a few minutes before kickoff, and received a stunning display -- Vietto scored a perfect hat-trick. The first goal was an amazing long range effort with his right, the second a header which is quite unusual for a slim kid of 173 centimeters, the third a brilliant half-volley with his left. Rumours about the new prodigy compared to Sergio Aguero quickly reached Europe, and countless scouts went to see and evaluate the wonderkid. It was at that time, more than two years ago, that Liverpool were first linked to Vietto. The list of suitors was extremely long. Naturally, Simeone's Atletico were one of the front runners, and they considered signing Vietto in the summer of 2013 after Radamel Falcao was sold to Monaco. Real Madrid reportedly offered 8 million euros a year ago and were told that the striker is not for sale as yet. Juventus, Arsenal, Manchester City, Everton, Inter, Napoli, Udinese, Sevilla, Valencia, Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain were all mentioned as interested parties at one stage or another, and there were most probably tens of other clubs who became alerted. Even Leicester City tried their luck, while Nottingham Forest put a specific offer on the table in the summer. Vietto's agent, Jorge Cyterszpiler, was a very busy man. He confirmed that Liverpool were amongst the clubs he talked to in 2013, while stating that: "Vietto is the best young player in Argentina". One would expect that his price would skyrocket with every passing month, but in reality the opposite happened. His form dipped a bit in the beginning of 2014, and Villarreal manager to secure the 20-year-old talent for just 5.5 million euros, signing him to a five-year contract.
Why didn't Liverpool try harder to get the man they have been following so closely for so long when he was available at such a low price? Someone at the club would be wise to answer that question because, on the face of it, this is a fiasco of massive proportions. The Argentine has scored 10 goals and assisted seven more in just 22 games in all competitions this season, even though he was used as a substitute in the first few weeks. Compare that to contribution of the players who did arrive at Anfield in the summer. 16-million-pound-man Mario Balotelli has scored twice, none of them in the Premier League. Lazar Markovic, signed for 20 million pounds from Benfica, has barely played and is yet to find the net. Adam Lallana, bought for a cool 25 million, has two goals to his name. So does Rickie Lambert, who -- at about 4 million pounds plus add-ons -- cost approximately the same amount as Villarreal paid for Vietto. To put it bluntly, Vietto has easily outscored all of Liverpool's summer acquisitions combined. The emotional comeback of Lambert to the club of his childhood is a superb story, and he certainly deserved his chance, but there is very little logic in paying that sum for a 32-year-old journeyman and refusing to do so for one of the best South American prospects on the market. Vietto and Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone have a relationship that extends back to their time at Racing Club in Argentina. Obviously, Liverpool had to convince Vietto that they are the right place for him, and that wasn't an easy task. Given his past, the striker could only go to the club that made him feel wanted, where he could be assured of playing time on weekly basis. Villarreal were able to offer that, while Luciano knew that his development might stall at a bigger club with a bigger squad. That was a wise decision. When the striker was 16, he was released by Estudiantes who didn't believe in him in the slightest. He then went for a trial at Rosario Central and was told that he will never make it in football. Distraught, the youngster considered quitting the game altogether, only to be persuaded by his family, as well as Cyterszpiler, to give it another try.
That's how he came to Racing, and that's where Simeone spotted him. Three years later, both were naturally delighted on Sunday night when their former club sensationally won the title in Argentina, without them. "He is fast, makes smart moves and shoots the ball well with both feet," Simeone said before calling his protege into the first team in 2011. Now he could closely witness the progress Luciano has made since. Having scored just 18 goals in 72 games for Racing, his averages are much better in Spain thus far, and it looks like Villarreal coach Marcelino is able to get the best out of his star. Intelligent on the run, tactically aware, technically sublime, dedicated and a great team player, the sky is the limit for Vietto, who could indeed become the new Aguero if he keeps his professional attitude and everything goes according to plan. When that happens, expect Liverpool to be linked to him once again, but the price will be infinitely higher.
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