Liverpool target Aston Villa winger Stewart Downing and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Arsenal-c38429 left-back Gael Clichy
Stewart Downing, the 26-year-old Aston Villa winger, could be heading to Anfield if http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Liverpool-c39809 agree to the £19 million Aston Villa expect for the player.
The Aston Villa boss http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/England-c749 international and would try and convince him to remain at the club.
McLeish said while speaking to reporters:
“No chance do we want http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Stewart-Downing-c34221 to go. We certainly don't want to lose Stewart.
He's a top player.
I need to see what Stewart's thinking when he comes back because I know that he made some comments when he was away on England duty.
I'll have a chat with one or two in the coming days and weeks before pre-season training starts and once I get them in for pre-season training proper then I'll get a better idea.”
Aston Villa have reportedly held talks with the left winger in hopes of securing his services for a few more seasons.
However, they have not been able to reach an agreement with Downing, who has his heart set on a move to Liverpool.
After his boyhood club Middlesbrough were relegated, Downing signed with Aston Villa for an initial fee of £10 million on a four year deal in the summer of 2009.
Having just completed his second season at the club, Downing has made 79 appearances for the Villains in all competitions and has scored a http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Total-c40747 of 11 goals.
Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish is looking to improve his squad in the summer transfer window, after a particularly disappointing season for the Reds.
Liverpool, without injured http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Steven-Gerrard-c34196, finished sixth on the English Premier League table, which means they have failed to qualify for the UEFA Champions League and the Europa League.
While they could certainly use someone like Downing on the left wing, the Reds also require someone at left back.
That’s where Arsenal left back Gael Clichy comes in, reports reveal the 25-year-old http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/France-c2899 international has decided to leave the Emirates Stadium for a move to Anfield.
With just a year remaining on his current contract, now would be the perfect time for both the club and player to part ways.
Liverpool face competition from Serie A side AS http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Roma-c31603 for the French left-back, but so far the English Premier League side are obvious favourites.
Liverpool were reportedly to spend as much as £5 million on the defender, whereas Roma have offered the Gunners an improved bid of £7 million.
If the Reds do not improve their bid then they stand a chance of losing Clichy to Roma, and will have to resort to using their existing players, having not identified another target as yet.
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