Football Transfer News: Inter Milan and Liverpool Fight over Dirk Kuyt
Roy Hodgson, Liverpool’s new manager, is angry with his predecessor, Rafael Benitez, for unsettling Dirk Kuyt by showing an interest in him. Hodgson said that this would be a breach in contract by Rafael Benitez, as he agreed that no contacts with his former players would be made.
As the transfer window reaches its climax, the clubs are stepping up their efforts to clinch deals at the last moment. Therefore, Internazionale is trying to get hold of Liverpool’s Dirk Kuyt, which would increase their team’s strength for the coming season. On the other hand, clubs in crisis, like Liverpool, would be trying to avoid losing their players, as uncertainty about their future would lead many players to think about other options.
The crisis in Liverpool is serious, as they managed to get only one point in the opening two matches of the 2010-11 English Premier League season. The players aiming for trophies would have to settle for another dry season, if the current problems persist. Therefore, it is highly likely that big players like Kuyt and Fernando Torres would like to go somewhere else.
However, Hodgson claims that Dirk Kuyt has shown no desire whatsoever in leaving the club, as was claimed by the player’s agent. Also, he said that Rafael Benitez signed a proposition that he would not come after Liverpool’s players if they remain firm over their status with the club. Therefore, Hodgson blamed him for a breach in a signed contract, as Benitez is coming after Kuyt despite the knowledge that the Dutchman has no interest in moving away from Anfield.
Hodgson also claimed that Inter Milan’s president, Massimo Moratti, has also promised to uphold the promise made by Rafael Benitez. However, according to Hodgson, no one is trying to uphold their side of the promise. He admitted that negotiations are taking place between Liverpool and Inter Milan; however, he had no desire to let his player leave in times of crisis.
Hodgson’s predecessor and Inter Milan’s new coach, Benitez, denied all these allegations. He said that he has no involvement in the transfer business of Inter Milan. There are other specialized people who have all the responsibility of making signings for the club. Benitez claimed that he is only a coach, as he has no say in his club’s transfer business. Benitez needed to clear his name, especially because Inter has made a bid for another Liverpool player, Javier Mascherano. However, in Mascherano’s case, Liverpool cannot do a lot, as the Argentinean has shown his desire to leave his club.
Now other players have started to create an atmosphere of speculations regarding Dirk Kuyt. Wesley Sneijder, Dirk Kuyt’s national teammate, has shown his desire for the player to join him at Inter. He said that Kuyt would be happy at the club, as everyone is anxiously waiting for his arrival. This statement has been given, with pure intention of unsettling Kuyt, who still looks firm at his current status.
Despite Kuyt’s apparent lack of interest, his agent remains active in the market, as he is still looking for the player to join Inter Milan. Therefore, he is looking over the negotiations, while he wants a contract to be signed before the end of the transfer window.
Roy Hodgson is very critical of Kuyt’s issue because of the problems being faced in Liverpool. The squad does not look in good shape, and Mascherano is all set to leave Liverpool before September. So, if Hodgson loses Kuyt, he would be left with very little options. Already, he has had to face a lot of criticism, as he is falling short of his promises.
The next few days would be very critical in this saga, as retaining Kuyt would be necessary for Liverpool’s success. Otherwise, the club would fall further down the order in the English Premier League.
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