Liverpool Rumours Archive August 14 2013

14 Aug 2013 11:36:26
Ed02, What are your thoughts on Willian and what do you think are the relative chances are of us buying him, assuming of course we are interested? {Ed002's Note - Willian is well thought of as a player and it is clear that a couple of managers have been disappointed with the number of goals he returns given his direct style of play. Chelsea looked very seriously at him 18 months ago but price and the need for a work permit got in the way. Anzhi has turned down an offer of just under €40M for the player - on the assumption that the side would return with a higher offer - they may not. He has permission to talk to interested clubs. Right now I don't know where he will end up. Anzhi say they have been approached by four clubs (Zenit, Manchester City, Spurs and Roma) and there is a suggestion that his representatives have spoken with Liverpool, Galatasaray, Manchester United and Chelsea. One club is considering a prospective offer that will include a player or two on loan to Anzhi for the 2014-2015 season and a lower cash sale - it is unimportant which club it is.}

Man City and Chelsea don't need him they have a bunch of players who play in the position he does {Ed002's Note - Manchester City made an offer for William last week.}

Thanks for the reply ed, appreciated.

Out of the clubs you have said are interested, Roma have bought Gervinho, City are after defenders, Chelsea have bought who they need for season and are after a striker. It seems spurs are interested. The only thing I could take from this is that the other sides have bought who they need, Anzhi have announced they are selling their team and we are in the right place at the right time?

Either that or FSG are playing the tactic Alan Sugar used when he bought Spurs when they bid for players just under the desired offer when they knew full well they wouldn't get them, so us fans think well at least they tried!

Edd if I do my sherlock holmes impression that club has to be manchester city?they have a overload of players. {Ed002's Note - There is no secret that Manchester City made the bid. Anzhi were expecting another bid and Manchester city have stepped back because they feel they have already offered more than enough.}

So the fee stands at £34m+? Whilst I understand we were prepared to spend about £23-24m on Mkhitrayan and Costa was £22 ( both approx) that is still a big leap financially.

For any player to command that sort of fee he would have to be something special and I can't actually recall ever seeing the guy play (other than the dreaded You-Tube clips). He's Brazilian and like most of his fellow countrymen he does appear to have a hell of a lot of skill and pace to burn. He is very direct and commits defenders to making early, often rash challenges in and around the area. But I understand that his goal return is quite poor, although this is not important really as he isn't a striker he is more a creator and that part of his game seems pretty impressive!

So the question is: is he good enough to command that sort of fee? Would Anzhi Compromise and lower to say £32m or even the £30m mark?

Ed considering the owner wants rid suggests he would prefer cash rather than players on loan. Anyway don't you feel he is overpriced considering they want rid of all high earners. I mean surely the logic says they would sell to the first decent bid close to the price they signed him for and not try and make a profit.
O reckon 30M Euros is a fair price. {Ed002's Note - See above.}

Well if City have been in for him, that's why he is over priced, in order for us to get top players we are going to have to bite the bullet and pay a little more. Either that or take a risk with unknown players again? But its whether there are any out there.

We need a game changer now in our side and with options limited this is the price we have to pay. We could get better for cheaper but they want CL {Ed002's Note - His price is nothing to do with Manchester City being interested.}

Ed is it because they got him for 34 mil in the winter so they want their money back?

But there can't be that many people in for him, surely? a lot of teams have spent their budgets and have filled positions, with the exception of maybe man city {Ed002's Note - There are plenty of teams looking for players.}

Have to say, if we sign Willian, that surely must mean that he gets a rousing chorus of William, it was nothing!

14 Aug 2013 04:05:09
Hey Eds,

I know interest in Willian is unconfirmed, and in no way am I trying to lead you to say that we are, but if we were to agree a deal, would he qualify for a work permit? Thanks in advance. {Ed002's Note - He would need one under the "special talent" exception as he does not qualify under the rules. In January 2012 both the price being asked and the WP situation were the reasons another EPL club backed away from buying him.}