Wednesday 27 May 2009

Middlesbrough’s relegation rekindles Wheater interest

Transfer Speculation

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is hoping to revive his interest in Middlesbrough defender and Ian Dowie look-a-like: David Wheater after the Riverside club were relegated from the Premier League claims today’s Telegraph.

The article goes on to say: “Benitez tried to sign the England under-21 international last summer and enquired about his availability in January but his Middlesbrough counterpart Gareth Southgate was unwilling to part with one of the key players in his side’s battle for survival. Now, though, Southgate knows he needs to trim his squad to cope with the financial impact of demotion and, with Stewart Downing injured, Wheater is one of his most saleable assets. The only sticking point for Liverpool would be the defender’s asking price. Birmingham were last week quoted £9 million for the player, a fee Benitez would be unwilling to pay for a back-up central defender with funds at Anfield at a premium.”

The article also goes on to say: “sources close to full-back Andrea Dossena have insisted the Italian international is happy at Anfield despite struggling to make impact following his £7 million move from Udinese last summer. Reports in Italy suggest Dossena is a target for Napoli and Sampdoria but he is believed to be willing to remain in England to fight for his place.”

Let’s hope this is pure speculation and a deal can be truck to sell the player. Dossena has not been a good buy, appearing overweight when he arrived at Anfield. The second half of the season was moderately better as he’d clearly shed a few pounds and was able to at least make fairly dangerous runs down the wing. However one suspects he will not improve enough and if an Italian club comes in for him, we would be best advised to sell. Although few Liverpool fans have few good things to say about him, he will always be remembered for his two remarkable goals against Real Madrid and Manchester United.

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