Rafa Benitez is running out of time to land his last luxury signing of the summer.
The Reds boss would like to bring in David Silva but he desperately needs to find approximately £19million to lodge a formal offer. Further payments would almost certainly have to be included in any deal but it's going to take an initial £19m to open formal negotiations.
If Xabi Alonso is sold that could free enough funds to convince the club's owners to fund the rest but it's likely that they would also want to see additional funds raised, possibly from the sale of Jermaine Pennant, especially after funding a move for Gareth Barry.
Valencia president Vicente Soriano is expecting Barcelona to swoop for Silva again within the next week. He's already gone on record as saying that both David Villa and Silva are not for sale. However Valencia desperately need money and Barca are aware of that. So too are Real Madrid who have emerged as favourites to capture Villa.
Roma are another club chasing Silva. The player's agent continually claims interest from Italy but Valencia have denied speaking to the Italians.
It is possible that Silva's future could be decided within the next week. If he remains with Valencia, that could suit Benitez as it would enable him to return next year armed with the funds needed to complete a deal.
INSIDER SOURCES ARE REPORTING: "Rafa wants to bring him [Silva] in but the budget won't allow it. He must sell 2, possibly 3 players and 1 of them would have to be Alonso.
"The Americans have already advanced money by finalising the Barry payments but even so they know that if they were to help Rafa bring in Silva, they would win over a lot of fans.
"But time is running out as Silva could be on his way to Barcelona if they swoop during the coming week."
The source added: "If Silva moves before the money can be raised don't be surprised if you see us linked with Shaun Wright-Phillips.
"If Silva stays where he is, Rafa will obviously consider returning with a bid next year depending on how things work out this season."
Sunday, 3 August 2008
WE'VE GOT BARRY...FINALLY
Liverpool target Gareth Barry is to undergo a medical at Melwood after Aston Villa finally agreed to let the player leave.
As expected the England international will complete his protracted transfer within the next few days.
Villa boss Martin O'Neill has been forced into an embarrassing u-turn after the player insisted that he wanted to become a Red, despite O'Neill's so called "deadline".
O'Neill said: "We had a meeting last Monday with Gareth and his agent at which we all agreed we would have a 5pm deadline on Wednesday and if Liverpool had not proved they had the wherewithal to proceed with the transfer deal then we would all leave that aside and move on.
"I was hoping that would be the case and this was not a matter of Liverpool missing the deadline by 15 minutes, as seems to have been reported.
"Liverpool first showed their interest in signing Gareth Barry almost four months ago, so this is not a case of missing a deadline by 15 minutes. That's simply not true.
"The following morning we were very upbeat on the strength of what had happened on Wednesday evening. We were very buoyant and optimistic that everything could come back to normal again.
"That wasn't to be though. On Thursday there was a meeting between Gareth's agent, myself and the player. Even though the deadline had passed they still felt Liverpool were going to come in and do the deal.
"Obviously I was disappointed to hear that. Gareth's head is a bit all over the place at the moment and they asked for some more time.
"So I've listened to what they've said and I'll go with it - reluctantly but I'll go with it. There will be no deadline and Liverpool have all the time in the world now to sign Gareth Barry. They've got up to the normal window, which is the 31st of this month.
"So it's really up to them, Gareth and his agent to sort it out. I've decided this is the only way forward for us really.
"I have a football club to run and I really do want people who want to play for us.
"If Liverpool at the end of it all do not come up with the money, that's no-one else's fault but their own.
"I'd be delighted if that was the case and Gareth stayed. But I would doubt that very much. The ball is very much in their court."
As expected the England international will complete his protracted transfer within the next few days.
Villa boss Martin O'Neill has been forced into an embarrassing u-turn after the player insisted that he wanted to become a Red, despite O'Neill's so called "deadline".
O'Neill said: "We had a meeting last Monday with Gareth and his agent at which we all agreed we would have a 5pm deadline on Wednesday and if Liverpool had not proved they had the wherewithal to proceed with the transfer deal then we would all leave that aside and move on.
"I was hoping that would be the case and this was not a matter of Liverpool missing the deadline by 15 minutes, as seems to have been reported.
"Liverpool first showed their interest in signing Gareth Barry almost four months ago, so this is not a case of missing a deadline by 15 minutes. That's simply not true.
"The following morning we were very upbeat on the strength of what had happened on Wednesday evening. We were very buoyant and optimistic that everything could come back to normal again.
"That wasn't to be though. On Thursday there was a meeting between Gareth's agent, myself and the player. Even though the deadline had passed they still felt Liverpool were going to come in and do the deal.
"Obviously I was disappointed to hear that. Gareth's head is a bit all over the place at the moment and they asked for some more time.
"So I've listened to what they've said and I'll go with it - reluctantly but I'll go with it. There will be no deadline and Liverpool have all the time in the world now to sign Gareth Barry. They've got up to the normal window, which is the 31st of this month.
"So it's really up to them, Gareth and his agent to sort it out. I've decided this is the only way forward for us really.
"I have a football club to run and I really do want people who want to play for us.
"If Liverpool at the end of it all do not come up with the money, that's no-one else's fault but their own.
"I'd be delighted if that was the case and Gareth stayed. But I would doubt that very much. The ball is very much in their court."
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