Rafa continues to be linked with every living footballer on the planet, however this player really is top quality and is worthy of consideration….

Aston Villa have refused to budge from £20m and if that continues the Merseyside club will apologise to Barry 28, and walk away, with Portsmouth’s £12m rated Lassana Diarra a viable alternative.
Pompey want Peter Crouch and a swap deal would offer a solution. (Daily Mirror)

I am a big fan of Lassana’s. Nine times out of ten, when he gets the ball, something exciting happens. His bursts through midfield are a joy to watch and he’s not afraid to put in the odd crunching tackle as well. A very industrious player who would suit Liverpool very well indeed and Portsmouth will have their work cut out to keep him at Fratton Park. What do Pompey and Reds fans think of the French international?