No big money signings this January – Liverpool owner
NESV is thought to be concerned by the millions spent by the previous regime on player transfers and wages. They believe that every signing and their wages should provide value for money. This means short term and low wage contracts for older players.
Under Rafael Benitez, Liverpool spent nearly £230 million in six years; however, they were able to recoup much of that amount through player sales. This summer, Roy Hodgson spent nearly £25 million on new signings but recovered much of it through the sale
of Javier Mascherano to Barcelona.
NESV’s takeover has freed up to £36 million a year of revenue that was previously being used to service Liverpool’s £282 million debts. This is a substantial amount and the promise was made by NESV that they will back the Liverpool manager in the transfer
market. However, they have also made it quite clear that they are smart people and will act according to the needs and will not sign big names just for the sake of it.
"We have to be smart", John W Henry, NESV's principal backer, who will assume a place on Liverpool's board, said after the deal was completed.
"We have to be more efficient. When we spend a dollar, it has to be wisely. We cannot afford player contracts that do not make long-term sense. We have to be smart, bold and aggressive. It's a great challenge."
Henry will play an active role in football matters at Anfield. He is expected to hold talks and assess transfer targets with manager Roy Hodgson and will also discuss contracts of the players currently at Liverpool. The American has already expressed his
concern at the huge amounts of wages earned by older players on long-term, high-value contracts.
NESV used a similar approach with great success at the Boston Red Sox and it is difficult to see why they will change their approach here at Anfield. That approach would rule out any marquee signing in the coming January transfer window. This might come
as a blow to Liverpool fans who were hoping for an influx of money after the disappointing tenure of Hicks and Gillet.
Liverpool’s current transfer policy suggests that they are willing to spend on top young players. The signings of both Jonjo Shelvey and Danny Wilson are part of that policy. At Boston, NESV invested heavily on management and scouting system. They believe
that a good sports club has to have experience and should be able to evaluate and understand the scouting.
The players that have been scouted of late include Steven Defour. The standard Liege skipper, at 22 and valued around £12 million, would fit in with the transfer policy of the new owners. He can provide longer service than most others and has the potential
to increase in value.
Likewise, Liverpool have also tracked PSV Eindhoven winger, Ibrahim Afellay. The Dutchman has been regarded as huge talent for some seasons now and at 24 he can be developed into a top player who could prove to be value for money.
The players mentioned would have comparatively lower salary demands. One player, who although is 19 years old but valued at £18 million by his club, is Lille’s Eden Hazard. He was watched by Kenny Dalglish against Levski Sofia in the Europa League last Thursday.
However, Hodgson will be asked to trim the squad before adding players to it. Liverpool had the 4th highest wage bill of £107 million in 2009. They finished seventh last season and are in the relegation zone after 9 games this season.
Henry’s experience as a futures trader and his passion for sports and finance makes him an ideal candidate to analyse the needs of the club. NESV believes that wage bill should coincide with team's league position and do not blame current boss, Roy Hodgson
for the slump, but rather they believe that the squad contains player who are being paid more than they merit.
The early impressions are that Henry will stick to his methods. Liverpool fans should not hope for big name signings but they can certainly hope for quite a few talented young players making their way to Anfield soon.
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