Transfer Speculation: Mascherano, Alonso, Reina, Tevez, Silva, Albiol, Distin, Owen, Dossena

Javier Mascherano
The Mail claims the Argentinian midfielder is set to leave Liverpool, with Barcelona preparing a £35million bid. The Argentine, 25, has told boss Rafael Benitez he needs to leave because his wife, Fernanda, is reluctant to return to England. The article says Masherano’s wife is pregnant and “has returned to South America with their daughter Iola and does not want to fly back. Benitez is understanding but still wants at least £35m for his midfield enforcer. Mascherano's agent, Walter Tamer, held talks on Wednesday with Barca general manager Raul Sanlehy and sporting director Txiki Begiristain, who will offer around £20m plus possibly striker Bojan Krkic.”

Xabi Alonso
A number of papers are reporting that Xabi Alonso has cast further doubt on is Liverpool future because of the answer he gave to a Spanish Radio station. The Guardian reports: “Asked by the Cadena Ser radio station if he would be disappointed having to stay at Liverpool next season, he responded: "I can't answer that question." To which the interviewer replied: "And with that you have said it all." The Telegraph is also running the same interview, but reveals more of Alonso’s answer: “But each player thinks about their own future. It's clear that on the outside there are reports about your future, but you cannot do much and the only thing you can do is train normally."

Jamie Carragher speaking in an interview on Sky Sports has this to say on the subject: "This summer there has been a bit of speculation about players moving on, so at the moment I'm hoping that doesn't happen rather than people come in. We have got a great side at the moment, and I'm sure the manager will make a couple of additions, but we don't want to lose anyone." Speaking of Alonso, Carragher said: "He and Stevie Gerrard were probably our best two players last season. I think Stevie won Footballer of the Year, but if you asked the fans I think they would maybe say that Alonso was our best player last season so he is certainly someone we don't want to lose."

Pepe Reina
The Reds keeper has been the subject of speculation linking him with a move to Barcelona, because current keeper Victor Valdes had not signed a new contract with the club. However the Mail says: “Victor Valdes has ended speculation linking him to Manchester United by signing a new contract at European champions Barcelona. The extention to 2014 is also likely to be met with relief at Liverpool, whose Spanish goalkeeper Pepe Reina had been lined up as a replacement for the Nou Camp No 1.”

Carlos Tevez
The Argentinian has today ruled himself out of a move to Liverpool Football Club. Sky Sports News sources have been informed that a move to Anfield is not an option for Tevez. Interestingly, the player has not ruled himself out of a move to arch rivals and ‘swimming -in-loot’ club Manchester City. However this is probably more of an over site by the considerate young player who clearly wouldn’t upset any United fans with a move to Eastlands.

David Silva and Raul Albiol
Today’s Mirror says of the upcoming move of Glen Jonson will be the first edition to his summer transfer activity, but it wont be his last. Speaking of Benitez the story says: “He wants a wide player and has been chasing Valencia winger David Silva for some time, while he is also in talks over the Spanish club's centrehalf Raul Albiol, with the pair valued at a combined £30m.”

Sylvain Distin
The Mail declares that Liverpool have launched a bid for Sylvain Distin: “The 31-year-old French defender is in demand. Liverpool have already placed a £2million bid and Aston Villa have also expressed an interest. Sunderland, keen to bolster their leaky defence, want him too but Steve Bruce is likely to be disappointed. Distin is keen on Liverpool but he may only be a squad player there and will be keen to hear Martin O'Neill's plans.”

Michael Owen
Fernando Torres has spoken about Michael Owen, who is available on a free transfer and has recently sent out a brochure to Premiership, Italian and Spanish clubs promoting his services. Torres said: "I know that he is a big part of the history of this football club and that the fans at Anfield loved him," said Torres in the Daily Mail. "I have no idea where he will be playing next season, but I am convinced that he still has a lot to offer. He has been unlucky with injuries in recent years and I know how frustrating that can be, but he has a natural instinct in front of goal and you don't lose that just because you have been injured."

Andrea Dossena
The Telegraph reports that Juventus are considering both Dossena and international team-mate Fabio Grosso, 31, to fill the left-back spot. "I don't know if you can call it an ultimatum, but I think that Juve will decide what to do within the next week," agent Roberto La Florio told Calciomercato.it. "The left-back position is a necessity for the Bianconeri and the directors are not willing to drag this on. However, I still think it's a two-horse race between Andrea and Grosso. Dossena's age and wages are on his side. Is he worth around 6-7million euros? The last time I met with Liverpool we did not talk about numbers, I can only say they paid more for him last summer. Andrea has subtly expressed his desire to join Juve in recent days, but he also said that he loves it in Liverpool. We'll definitely know more about it next week and Juve remain the most likely destination for him."

Transfer Speculation: Tevez, Richards and Saviola

Here's a round up of all the Transfer Speculation from around the web.

Carlos Tevez

“Representatives of the Argentina striker Carlos Tevez will hold discussions with four clubs in the Premier League this week: Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea” reports Sky Sports.It is also claimed that “one club in Italy and one in Spain are interested in the player”. The article says “that Tevez himself will announce that he would prefer to stay in the Premier League.”

Micah Richards
The Post speculates that Liverpool and Arsenal are both interested in taking the 20 year-old Manchester City defender Micah Richards. The article says: “Rafael Benitez and Arsene Wenger both recognise that they could get a potentially brilliant prospect at a great price and think that a price of around £5m could persuade Mark Hughes to let him go, especially if he manages to outbid Chelsea and Liverpool for Glen Johnson.”

Javier Saviola

The Post also says: "Liverpool hope to be able to wrap up a deal that will see them rescue Javier Saviola from Real Madrid, after the two clubs agreed a fee for the Argentinian striker, according to reports. Rafa Benitez believes that the 27-year-old could resurrect his career at Anfield by pairing up with Fernando Torres and the Merseyside outfit have held negotiations with Los Merengues. A deal worth around £5 million (€6m) is believed to have been settled upon, media in Spain and England claim, and an official announcement could be made later this week."

Reds meet valuation for Tevez

Transfer Speculation

Liverpool are among five leading clubs who have agreed to pay the £25 million needed to sign Carlos Tévez this summer claims today’s Times. The list is said to include: Manchester City, another English club and two foreign clubs, one of which is understood to be Real Madrid. The fee is said to be in the region of £25m has been set by Kia Joorabchian, who fronts the companies that own Tévez’s economic rights.

The article goes on to say:
“Tévez’s two-year “lease” deal at Old Trafford expires at the end of next month, but while David Gill, the United chief executive, appeared to hint this week that they would finally meet the “fixed fee” agreed with Joorabchian when the striker moved to Manchester in August 2007, the forward seems to have decided that he has played his last game for the club. Although United supporters would be horrified by the thought of Tévez moving to Liverpool or City, the player is open to the idea. Tévez’s pride has been hurt in recent weeks by United’s refusal to confirm that they will keep him at the price stipulated, with the player making what could be considered a number of farewell gestures to United’s fans. Despite United’s attempts to drive down the price, having already paid £10 million to loan the player for two years, Joorabchian is refusing to lower the £25 million price originally agreed with the club, knowing that there are other clubs willing to pay it. Either way, Tévez’s future with United is expected to be resolved in days. The prospect of Tévez joining Liverpool would be particularly galling for United supporters. Rafael Benítez, the Liverpool manager, wants to sign a forward who will not only give his team an added goal threat, but also the energy to complement Fernando Torres and believes that Tévez fits the bill, a coup that Javier Mascherano, Tévez’s Argentina team-mate, is hoping will come off. “I hope we can count on him,” Mascherano said. “He would be great for us. However, it will be a tough fight because so many clubs are interested in him.”

Mascherano’s comments whilst speaking to ‘Radio La Red’ in Argentina appear to suggest the player has spoken with Tevez, possibly in an effort to try and convince him to choose Liverpool over any other interested clubs. Notice he said: “I hope we can count on him.” When this story first began in April, I didn’t hold much faith in its validity. However as the weeks have progressed, their definitely appears to be weight to it. I think United are trying to stall any deal so that they await the outcome of Ronaldo staying or going. Tevez is still only seen as a fringe player for United, but if Ronaldo does decide to leave it would probably force United into purchasing Tevez. However one thing that needs to be considered, is the way Tevez has been treated by United. He was absent at United’s end of season party and he was not onboard the United coach when it departed the hotel following their 2 nil defeat in the Champion League final. The player himself has stated that he has “not been treated as a member of the family," and "I do not feel wanted”. Either way the Times article suggests Tevez’s future could be resolved in days, which also ties in with Rafa’s insistence to complete any new deals as quickly as possible.

Mascherano eager to see close friend Tevez at Anfield

Transfer Speculation

Javier Mascherano has admitted that he would love to see his close friend Carlos Tevez at Anfield. Recent speculation in the media has suggested that Tevez is contemplating a move from Old Trafford when his loan deal expires this summer. The player himself has confirmed he could be playing for one of United’s rivals next year. Speaking in today’s Telegraph about his Argentinean team mate possibly joining him at Anfield, Mascherano said: "It would be great if Carlos can come here because I know how good he is, but I don't know what the situation with his transfer is. It's something for the manager to talk about. All I can say is that he is a great player and a great person."

Phil Chisnall was the last player to directly transfer between the clubs, but Rafael Benitez is hoping to take advantage of Ferguson's apparent unwillingness to pay the reported £22 million fee agreed with Kia Joorabchian, Tevez's representative, to secure the striker.

The article goes on to say that “Benitez would struggle to compete in a bidding war for Tevez, with just £20 million plus player sales thought to be at his disposal, though the potential departure of Xabi Alonso for Real Madrid would give him a degree of leeway.”

The story also explains other transfer issues that Rafa may be encountering by stating “His transfer plans have already been disrupted by the announcement that Hertha Berlin will not look to sign on-loan striker Andriy Voronin on a permanent basis" Which holds little surprise to any Liverpool fan, most of which have suggested he "has all the skill of a donkey". The German side's failure to reach the Champions League means they will not be taking up the option to buy him and he will be returning to Anfield. 'The Independent' states that Voronin "is now expected to be put up for sale with a £6m price tag" !!!??? Are they talking about the same player?

The report also suggest that Liverpool will be outbid by Madrid in the race to sign Valencia's David Silva. Again, there's very little shock in this revelation. Madrid will be willing to spend big money on dancing ponies if it would lever control away from Barcelona in the La Liga

Latest Tevez Rumours

Transfer Speculation

A number of media outlets are bursting with the latest ‘Tevez speculation of the day’. Today’s rumour announces that Liverpool are poised to beat Tottenham Hotspur in the race to sign Carlos Tevez, with The Reds on the verge of offering owner Kia Joorabchian £26 million and pay the striker £160,000 a week. The quotes have simply come from “a source” and say:

"It seems amazing that Liverpool have the money to do this when you consider their owners are looking for funds. But Spurs were told that Liverpool were going to get the deal done and that Tevez was very happy about it."

Manchester United Chief Executive Officer David Gill said earlier this week that the club wants to keep Tevez, and that a transfer fee of about £25 million is being discussed. Tevez’s economic rights are owned by businessman Kia Joorabchian, and the player has technically been on loan from his company for two seasons.

Today's Echo has played down the story by stating "Contrary to reports, Liverpool have made no offer for unsettled Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez."

Transfer Speculation

Liverpool are apparently on the verge of signing Croatian international Danijel Pranjic from Herenveen in an £8million deal according to today’s Mirror. “The 26-year-old left-sided midfielder, who scored 16 goals in the Dutch League this season to help Herenveen qualify for Europe, sent agent Soren Lerby to Anfield this week to discuss terms. Lerby then flew to Holland on Friday to speak with Heerenveen and club director Yme Kuiper admitted: "We understand Liverpool is the club where Pranjic wants to go."

The article goes on to say that Liverpool will also sign Gareth Barry in a reported £10 million deal this summer as Xabi Alonso is leaving for Juventus for £15 million.

The Scum sister paper the ‘News of the World’ contradicts the Mirror’s article by stating Alonso will be ‘forced out’ of Liverpool to join Manchester City in a deal worth £18 million. It also speculates that Gareth Barry will become a Liverpool player for £8 million. The stories from both papers accredit no quotes regarding Alonso instead claiming the report had come from “sources close to the club”

The Sunday Express states that Benitez wants to keep key players at Liverpool. In an interview taken earlier this week, but ignored by the tabloids intent on intensifying speculation, Rafa clearly states his aim to keep both Mascherano and Alonso at Anfield. Both players have endured intense transfer gossip in the past couple of weeks. Speaking about Mascherano he said “I didn’t know about his comments so I talked to him about them and he was clear that he is happy here,” Benitez said. “You cannot stop clubs talking with his agent because he is a good player and there aren’t many holding midfielders of his calibre. When you have four or five top clubs asking about you, you don’t want to say ‘no’ because you know in football everything can change. So from a player’s point of view, and especially from the agent’s, they try to keep the doors open for everyone. But does he want to leave? I don’t think so. He knows the best option for him at this moment is this club. In three years’ time you never know. But now he knows this is the best option.” The article goes on to state that Alonso has been linked with Real Madrid as well as Juventus. Speaking about the Alonso speculation he goes on to say “We want to keep all our key players here, and it is exactly the same story with Xabi.”

The News of the World also alleges that Rafa will have a £64 million transfer budget this summer. In an article written by ex Liverpool Echo journalist Chris Bascombe it claims that Benitez has been promised £20 million from the owners, but hopes to make another £44 million by selling players. Alonso, Ryan Babel, Andrea Dossena, Andriy Voronin, Sebastian Leto, Jermaine Pennant, Charles Itandje, Philipp Degen are all on the way out. It also declares that Jack Hobbs who has been on a season long loan at Leicester will make the move permanent in a £1 million deal. Albert Riera could also leave as Benitez is considering a £12m swoop for Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing.

The story also claims that Sami Hyypia will await the outcome of the title race before deciding whether to accept a Liverpool testimonial. The defender has agreed a summer move to Bayer Leverkusen after 10 years at Anfield. The article declares “If Manchester United have wrapped up the league by the time Spurs visit on May 24, Hyypia will likely to be honorary skipper for the day. If the race goes all the way, he may have a send-off next season.”

Elsewhere in the paper Carlos Tevez has stated that he will leave Manchester United in the summer. Tevez was linked with Liverpool a few weeks back, claims in an interview for the tabloid "I don't think I will be a Manchester United player next season. I feel bad over my situation, I do, but it's very, very difficult to stay any longer. I guess what I'm saying is goodbye. Any club I join, whether it be Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool or Everton, will be a rival of Manchester United.”

Transfer speculation

Liverpool has apparently expressed an interest in signing Manchester United's on loan striker Carlos Tevez. Although not worth his apparent £30 million price tag, Tevez could certainly introduce some interesting possibilities to Liverpool’s forward line. Not forgetting the added bonus of seeing Fergie’s head spin off his shoulders if the deal ever went through!