Liverpool and Tottenham to battle for Diego Forlan’s signature
Liverpool and Tottenham are set to battle for the signature of Uruguayan world cup star, Diego Forlan. The Atletico Madrid star was a summer transfer target of Spurs and Liverpool but due to his stunning displays in South Africa, his value sky rocketed.
At 31, Forlan would not present great value for money. However, such has been his form and consistency over the last couple of years that both the Premier League clubs are looking to make a move.
Liverpool’s search for a strike partner for Fernando Torres has been long going and is well documented. They were linked with a whole host of strikers during the last transfer window, but were unable to get their hands on any of the players they pursued.
Spurs, on the other hand do not have any shortage of strikers at their disposal. In Jermaine Defoe, Peter Crouch, Roman Pavlyuchenko and Robbie Keane, Tottenham have a decent forward line. But still, the club is looking to make a marquee signing to show
their intent and take a big step towards their more high profile rivals.
It has also been learned that the Atletico Madrid star is targeting a return to top flight English football. He has his heart set for a return to England after 6 highly successful seasons in Spain. He might have other motives as well; one could be to prove
Sir Alex wrong by joining either of the two clubs and perform at the top level.
"If the club got too good an offer, which has not arrived, I may decide to stay or leave and I would consider it. I came to Europe, leaving my home and everything, so I'm not tied to a team in that sense and only in that sense," said Forlan.
“Everybody says things, that maybe you don't want to go back, The time I spent in England was wonderful, I enjoyed it and if I had the opportunity to return I would see, but only under those circumstances I have stated."
It has been reported that Atletico Madrid would let their star man leave for a fee of around £15 million. Though, his value has come down considerably, from £25 million just a couple of months ago, thanks to a stellar World Cup.
Liverpool's new owners believe in bringing in players who could assist the club in the long run. Paying £15 million for a 31 year old would not go along with their policy. Roy Hodgson, on the other hand has shown that he would bring in experience if it is
required. He has already paid nearly £10 million for the 30 year old Christian Poulsen and 29 year old Paul Konchesky combined.
Tottenham have been looking to offload either Robbie Keane or Roman Pavlyuchenko and bring in the top striker. Either club could face problems matching the Uruguayan's salary demands of £100,000 a week.
Forlan’s stock has never been this higher and with the striker now openly flirting with a return to Premier League, both Spurs and Liverpool can finally hope to get their man on a cheap.
His World Cup performance also alerted the likes of Manchester City and Inter Milan who enquired about the striker’s availability during the summer, only to be put off by the huge price tag.
Forlan has two Pichichi Trophies to his name and was Europe’s top scorer on both occasions. The striker now wants to prove himself in the Premier League following a nightmare two-year spell with Manchester United after the club had paid £6.9m transfer fee
to Argentine side, Independiente in January 2002 for his services.
He scored just 10 goals in 63 league appearances during his ill-fated time in England, before a change in fortune occurred, when he moved to Villarreal in 2004.
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