Soccer Transfer News: Steven Gerrard to move to Real Madrid
Steven Gerrard has decided that it is time to move from the eye of the storm at Liverpool to the lush greens at Real Madrid. His contract is yet unofficial but still inevitable. However he has his conditions before departing from the club.
First of all the world class Liverpool striker has notified that he will only make the move after he has seen who the next manager for Liverpool be who will rule the throne of Anfield. Even in Rafa’s departure, the Reds star forward has kept the ‘You’ll never walk alone’ tradition alive. He has told the Real Madrid board that only after he believes that the new manager for Liverpool is well qualified for the job will he make his transfer decision.
The captain of both the England and Liverpool is right now participating in the FIFA World Cup in South Africa but the player’s agent, Struan Marshall has held talks with the officials at Bernabeu and the Spanish giants have agreed to his terms understanding the personal attachment he has with the club.
Gerrard’s demand has hit the headlines in almost every football market around the globe. He currently plays at the centre-midfield position but is quite adaptable; having played magnificently on the wings and at the striker position. Being born on 30th May 1980, he has been playing for Liverpool since 1998 while making 366 appearances and 80 goals.
What the current situation has revealed is that Gerrard is probably going to finalize his agreement with Real Madrid after the World Cup is over. Meanwhile, Liverpool owners Tom Hicks and George Gillete along with Chairman Martin Broughton will look for a decent manager that will not just please Gerrard, but also other team members.
Gerrard isn’t the only one who has reservations with the future of Liverpool. Other stars are thinking along the same lines and starting to make their transfers - where ever they can land a good deal. Yossi Benayoun has already left for Chelsea and Javier Mascherano is on the verge of leaving and following his Liverpool colleague.
Players such as Fernando Torres, Ryan Babel and Dirk Kuyt had started giving controversial statements early in the season and it was predicted that the end of the season might see them leave.
In all conditions, Gerrard would be in a win-win situation as if he stays at Liverpool, things are bound to go his way and if he decides to join Real; Gerrard will get a deal on his own terms and conditions. Real Madrid President Florentino Perez is less of a reason for the one-sided deal than their newly signed manager Jose Mourinho. Mourinho has kept an eye on Gerrard since day one, inviting him to on two different occasions when the coach was with Chelsea.
There is speculation that the deal with Gerrard will be signed at an astounding £100 million. However, Mourinho has offered to pay £80 million for him. Liverpool hasn’t given permission to Gerrard to talk directly to the club or through his agent for a final offer.
However, football experts predict that the final price for the deal will fall down as Gerrard was already looking for a new club and simply because Liverpool is in a whirlpool these days. The price may come as low as £30 million in the end.
Sources have revealed that if Kenny Dalglish is chosen to be the successor of Rafael Bentiez, then Gerrard would put in a good effort to try and stay at Liverpool. On the other hand, the opposition for Roy Hodgson as manager has come with a strong force, even from the fans.
While that goes on, Martin Broughton and Christian Purslow are trying to find new groups for the sale of the club. Liverpool’s current worth will be around £650 million and is in a thick debt. Sources have confirmed that Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who is the current President of the United Arab Emirates is interested in purchasing the club - a step that can only insure the survival of Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Javier Mascherano at the Reds.
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