Liverpool transfer rumours, Liverpool transfer news
With Liverpool ready to appoint Roy Hodgson as their new manager in the coming hours, focus is sure to switch to who the 62-year-old will be bringing into Anfield with him, but one man who he will definitely be working with is his predecessor’s final signing.
Rafael Benítez secured the signature of Serbian international Milan Jovanović on a pre-contract agreement last February, and despite rumours claiming that the left-sided 29-year-old was ready to do a U-turn on the deal – possibly to link up with Benitez at Inter Milan – he has today confirmed that he is Merseyside-bound, and that he’s already signed a contract confirming that.
“I am going to Liverpool,” said the man who scored Serbia’s winner in their victory over Germany at the World Cup – their only win in between the defeats to Ghana and Australia that sealed their exit at the group stage.
“I have signed there for three years. I repeat: no pre-agreement, a real contract, and the departure of Benítez changes nothing. I have maintained contact with the executive board of Liverpool and everything is good.
“Everything is in order [with a work permit] since in the last two years I have played 75 per cent of the matches for my national side. Next I am looking for a house. On the 14th or 15th July I will join the squad for a training camp in Switzerland. But, as from Thursday, I want start my individual training programme so I can show them immediately that I am worth a place in the side.”
Hodgson and Jovanović won’t be the only new faces at Anfield though, and with the new boss set to appoint Mike Kelly – his trusted lieutenant at Fulham – as his assistant manager, he’s also on the lookout for players, and trying to keep the ones he’s got out of the clutches of others.
Both Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres continue to be linked with moves away from the club – with the former still apparently wanted by José Mourinho’s Real Madrid – but no decision is likely to be made on their futures until they’ve met with Hodgson, with both being tipped to stay.
Gerrard could be joined at Anfield by his England colleague Joe Cole if one report today is to be believed. With interest in free agent Cole at fever pitch, Liverpool hope that the promise of regular first team football will give them the edge over several of their competitors.
The arrival of Hodgson is also sure to see some of his players at Fulham tipped to follow him, with Norwegian centre back Brede Hangeland the first name to be linked, while Wolves’ Welsh international goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey has also been touted for a move to the Reds as understudy to Pepe Reina.
His arrival would see the departure of Brazilian Diego Cavalieri, who is almost certain to follow other squad players such as Albert Riera, Philipp Degen and Damien Plessis out of the Anfield exit door, while Javier Mascherano has been linked with big money moves to both Barcelona and Inter Milan, and Yossi Benayoun’s transfer to Chelsea is expected to be rubber-stamped in the coming days.
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