Rafa ready to bring in another Anfield striking option for the summer.
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Liverpool are on the verge of a deal to sign Milan Jovanovic on a free transfer in the summer after further talks with the Standard Liege and Serbia striker.
Sportsmail reported last month how 28-year-old Jovanovic had given his word on a move to Anfield.
Negotiations on a pre-contract agreement for the 28-year-old to join them in the summer are at an advanced stage.Frosty reception: Next season’s Merseyside derby will be an interesting one for Serbia international Jovanovic
The Serbia international is out of contract at the end of the season and Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has been tracking the player for some time.
Barclays Premier League rivals Birmingham and Serie A giants AC Milan were also believed to be interested in the former Lokomotiv Moscow forward, who is reportedly ready to sign a three-year deal at Anfield.
The capture of Jovanovic would reinforce Benitez’s continued assertions that he plans to remain at Liverpool for the long term despite strong interest from Juventus to make him their coach at the end of the campaign.
If the player does complete his move to Liverpool, he has already done plenty to endear himself to Reds fans.
Just over a year ago he was linked with Merseyside rivals Everton, as well as Aston Villa, but rejected a move to Goodison Park out of hand.
‘Everton aren’t a big club. That club I have turned down already,’ he told Serbian website Blic online at the time. (Daily Mail)
Liverpool have attempted to ward off rival interest by offering Jovanovic a free transfer and personal terms of about £10m over three years. (Telegraph)
So it does appear, according to some sources at least, that Rafa has clinched the signing of the prolific striker for the summer. Will the Serbian cut it at Anfield? Yes he scores goals at an alarming rate but there is an ocean in class between the Premier League and the Belgian Jupiler League. I guess the proof can only be found in the pudding, i.e. when Milan is given a chance.
The 28 year old has managed to do very well at International level and was crucial in his country’s progress through the World Cup qualifying process and helped Serbia finish ahead of France and into this summer’s World Cup. I guess if we have indeed snapped him up on a £10m contract at least that prevents some other club coming in for him if he happens to have a fantastic time in South Africa. Lets face it the World Cup is probably the best PR setting for a player to seal a big move upwards. Obviously we have been caught out in post World Cup sales before with a certain Mr Diouf so at least this deal won’t break the bank!
Liverpool have announced their squad numbers for the Europa League.
January signing Maxi Rodriguez is not included because he is ineligible having played in the Champions League for Atletico Madrid.
Promising youngsters from John McMahon’s reserve team squad including David Amoo, Daniel Pacheco, Swedish winger Alex Kacaniklic, Gerardo Bruna, Steven Irwin and Robbie Threlfall have also been included in the squad.
Rafael Benitez’s side take on Romanian champions Unirea Urziceni in the Europa League with the first leg at Anfield on Thursday, February 18.
Liverpool’s Europa League squad:
1 Diego Cavalieri
2 Glen Johnson
4 Alberto Aquilani
5 Daniel Agger
8 Steven Gerrard
9 Fernando Torres
11 Albert Riera
12 Fabio Aurelio
15 Yossi Benayoun
16 Sotirios Kyrgiakos
18 Dirk Kuyt
19 Ryan Babel
20 Javier Mascherano
21 Lucas
22 Emiliano Insua
23 Jamie Carragher
24 David Ngog
25 Pepe Reina
26 Jay Spearing
27 Philipp Degen
28 Damien Plessis
31 Nabil El Zhar
32 Stephen Darby
34 Martin Kelly
36 Steven Irwin
37 Martin Skrtel
38 Robbie Threlfall
39 Nathan Eccleston
40 Daniel Ayala
41 Martin Hansen
44 David Martin
45 Alex Kacaniklic
46 David Amoo
47 Daniel Pacheco
48 Gerardo Bruna (Official Liverpool Site)
Bring it on! I have put a large sum of money on us winning the Europa League. So lets make it happen! Its a piece of (renamed) silverware we haven’t won before so there is at least that to play for, as well as of course a top four place.
YNWA
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