Can the Reds compete with the big boys on such a budget?

Hank Hicks and Billy Bob Gillett’s popularity on Merseyside ranks somewhere between The Sun and cancer, and they won’t be winning any praise from Liverpool fans for their fiscal planning. According to an investment prospectus uncovered by Bloomberg News, the club’s forays into the transfer market will be limited by a £20m spending cap until 2014.

The Daily Mail reports:

The startling revelation was published in a prospectus back in March by investment banks Rothschild and Merrill Lynch to attract potential investors in the club.

The £20m spending cap, which will also include wage increases accruing from contract renewals, means that Anfield boss Rafa Benitez must continue to sell before he can buy over the next fives years as Liverpool chase their first league title since 1991.

While the majority of Premier League clubs froze or lowered their season ticket prices this season, the document revealed that Hicks and Gillett were also considering an eight per cent hike in admission fees to cover some of the club’s debt. This idea was

Even more transfer gossip, rumours and damned lies

Karim Benzema to Manchester United
The French striker’s agent Karim Djaziri revealed that Sir Alex Ferguson wants to sign his client this summer. Just last week, Djaziri was quoted as saying that Benzema was happy to stay with the Ligue 1 club for another year.

The Spoiler Truth-o-meter: Djaziri doesn’t expect Lyon to demand more than 40 million euros but the French side are in a great bargaining position as they know that the Red Devils have plenty to spend and need a striker.

Michael Owen to Hull
Phil Brown has confirmed that he was deadly serious about trying to sign Owen after his Newcastle contract expires next week. He said: “Hopefully Michael