Here he is folks. Alberto Aquilani, all £19m worth, finally pulled on a Liverpool shirt last night, in a reserve team outing against Sunderland. Never has a player had so much pressure piled on him before even pulling on a club’s jersey, as the Italian midfielder is expected to save Rafa, get the best out of Steven Gerrard, and be as good as Xabi Alonso.
Not that we expect Aquilani to be around for long. The injury-prone midfielder managed a colossal 102 appearances in seven seasons for Roma. Across the same time period, Steven Gerrard played 335 games for Liverpool.
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
The 2009 window deals that were absolutely inevitable
As the transfer window creaks shut for once more, Spoiler correspondent Andrew Brook has compiled a team of players who were always destined to change clubs this summer. And look, he’s done it in a 3-5-2 formation! How fun!
GK - Joe Hart (Manchester City to Birmingham)
As soon as Manchester City signed Shay Given in January, Hart was destined to leave. Every season a promoted team seems to get a new goalkeeper (Scott Carson to West Brom in 2008, Craig Gordon to Sunderland in 2007) so this was an obvious match.
DF - Joleon Lescott (Everton to Manchester City)
One of this season’s most painfully long sagas saw David Moyes over take Sir Alex Ferguson as the Premier League’s dourest Scot, and thus by extension its dourest person. Just be thankful that this inevitable deal didn’t drag on all the way to deadline day.
DF - Kyle Naughton (Sheffield United to Tottenham Hotspur)
Even before Sheffield United failed to secure Premier League promotion, everyone knew one of their ranks would be playing in the top flight this season. Harry Redknapp could not remember which of the Blades’ Kyles he wanted, so nabbed Naughton’s teammate Walker as well, but we all knew which one he meant.
The latest transfer gossip, rumours and damned lies
Joleon Lescott to Manchester City The Times are reporting that the Everton defender spoke to manager David Moyes yesterday to tell him that he wants to join Manchester City and spent the evening writing a letter to chairman Bill Kenwright.
The Spoiler truth-o-meter: It’s claimed that the Toffees are holding out for £30 million but an offer of £22 million may prove too good to turn down for England’s fourth-choice centre-back.
Alberto Aquilani to Liverpool
The Spanish press were reporting yesterday that Liverpool have reached an
Benitez gives the all clear for midfielder’s departure
While the English press are today suggesting that Liverpool are reticent to part with Xabi Alonso, our friends in Spain are convinced that a deal with Real Madrid will go through in the next 48 hours.
Marca report that Rafa Benitez has given his blessing to a €30m deal, provided it is sorted before training resumes on Thursday.ASconcur that a transfer to the La Liga side is imminent, and even go as far as publishing a (possibly-completely-fabricated) heart-to-heart between the manager and player:
Benitez: “I want you to resolve your situation as soon as possible, for better or for worse. Ideally, the transfer will be resolved in 48 hours. I need time to find a replacement. “
Apparently, Madrid have had no response from a €27m faxed bid earlier in the week, but it is understood an improved offer of a little over €30m will settle things.
AS report that Liverpool are under pressure to raise funds to pay a €69m debt on the refinancing deal that Billy Bob Gillett and Hank Hicks organised when they took charge of the club, and therefore may be selling Alonso out of necessity.
The latest transfer gossip, rumours and damned lies
Xabi Alonso to Chelsea or Manchester City
The Spaniard’s oft-discussed transfer to Real Madrid appears to have stalled, and the Daily Mail believe at least two Premiership clubs are inquiring after his services. Manchester City and Chelsea have both reportedly been in touch with the midfielder’s agents, having first made contact a month ago.
The Spoiler truth-o-meter: Madrid are unlikely to match Liverpool’s £35m asking price, but neither Chelsea nor Manchester City would have such a problem. However, with Liverpool having a very decent shout at the title this year, we can’t really see Alonso moving to a Premiership rival.
Alberto Aquilani to Liverpool
In the event of Alonso’s departure, Senor Benitez may snap up Roma’s hot-headed midfielder. The cash-strapped Italians would reportedly demand no less than £18m for the 25-year-old.
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