Liverpool Rumours Archive December 04 2014

04 Dec 2014 20:58:57
Edd002 with the ffp, is there any chance of messi playing in the PL some day if he leaves Barcelona? Man City Chelsea maybe? Would be great to see how he performs in the PL

{Ed002's Note - Although his club have not been hawking him around, my expectation is that he will be made available and Barcelona will start looking to rebuild around Neymar from January 2016 when they can start bring players in again and I expect that Barcelona will make Messi available from next summer. A number of questions have been asked of representatives of UEFA regarding the transfer of the very high-end players and the impact on FFP. It is clear that exceptions would need to be put in place as the alternative could be lawsuits from players regarding restrictions on trade. In the past Messi has turned down a transfer to one side who had agreed to meet Barcelona's then €250M price tag, and Barcelona and a commercial partner resisted an approach by a commercial organisation on behalf of an English side with an offer to buy the player. I am aware that in Spain there has been speculation about an offer being made during the summer 2014 transfer window, but it is "largely" incorrect. This all started in 2012 when in mid December Anzhi made an offer to Barcelona that matched the €250M euro release clause that existed in his contract, and put up what I am told was a "very" significant personal package. However, Messi was not interested in a move to Ruissia and Barcelona did not want to sell - so Messi, in early February 2013, extended his contract with Barcelona. In the early summer of 2013 efforts were being made by Adidas to broker a deal that would get Messi away from Nike and to one of their three high-profile clubs. Very quickly Real Madrid were ruled out and with Pep Guardiola moving to Bayern Munich that pretty much saw the end of any chance of a move there (given the strained relationship) at the time. This left Chelsea and I can confirm that discussions were held about making a firm bid - at this point we are late 2013 and early 2014 and Messi was in a verbal spat with Barcelona about getting a further extension - which the club were against. Ultimately, the player was (at least in his eyes) available during the Spring of 2014 and at that point Chelsea and Adidas made his management representatives and Barcelona aware of what they would be willing to pay. Since then he has again extended his contract with Barcelona. I understand that again they see three possible destinations for the player but I am not going to get involved in any further speculation at this time.}

So what you're saying ed is exceptions to ffp can be made.

{Ed002's Note - It will be necessary in the cases of one or two players if they were to move. To avoid restrictions of trade charges being thrown around.}

You're right not to get involved, ed. The papers would be all over anything you say. And those god-damn photographers be at your door! Best to keep stum fer now.

04 Dec 2014 17:01:40
Question for the eds

There is an article on liverpool echo site about several players that are available in the summer on Bosman transfers. I believe that most of these players get some sort of signing fee so they aren't truly free from a transfer perspective. Is there a ballpark range that these sign on fees tend to run, I realize it will depend on the player. Also, do agents fees also play a part in Bosman's, like they do with regular transfers.

Thanks.

{Ed002's Note - (a) It is entirely case-by-case Lee. (b) Regardless of being a Bosman transfer agents, representatives and other hangers on will want their pound of flesh. Again the amount is case-by-case.}

05 Dec 2014 10:27:19
Thanks for the response Ed002, one follow up. Is it safe to assume that it is cheaper to do a Bosman than a regular transfer for the same player, given that the agent's and the hangers on will get paid in both cases and the fee to the player himself would be less than the typical fee to his club and players loyalty chunk of transfer fee? thanks.

{Ed002's Note - It is in the vast majority of cases safe to assume that, yes.}

04 Dec 2014 12:55:25
Are LFC looking to sign anyone in January? If so could you please state who Liverpool are still tracking or are interested in? Thanks.

{Ed002's Note - I expect the Liverpool will continue to look at goalkeeping options, with Neto appearing to be flavour on the month right now.}

04 Dec 2014 14:41:26
Thanks eds!

Would be great to sign a keeper, its all we need right now just give the team time to blend

Sorry Ed, is this Neto geezer any good? Not heard to much about him whp does he play for now and is his distribution and box play better than Migs?

{Ed002's Note - I have no way to rationally determine the goodness of goalkeepers.}

05 Dec 2014 10:26:25
Hey Ed002, if the club were to make a move for a GK in January, do u think they would look at cheaper options like Neto and Valdes or is a move for a more expensive GK like Begovic or Trapp feasible?

{Ed002's Note - They have screwed up the situation with Valdes already. As I said above, Neto is the player they are showing interest in right now.}

04 Dec 2014 12:19:34
Hi Eds, are liverpool interested in PSG midfielder Yohan Cabaye? And are we still interested in Yevhen Konoplyanka? Thanks.

{Ed002's Note - No and no.}

04 Dec 2014 09:50:52
Hi eds what's the latest on Paulo dybala?any genuine interest from us? thanks

{Ed002's Note - Palermo are looking to have Dybala sign a new contract but have made it clear that they will sell for €50M - a fee which will put off most clubs. Arsenal has a declared interest but I suspect the fee would put them off.}