THAT SOUNDS LIKE an awful lot of money for a young British player, largely unproven in the Premier League.
That’s what they said in January 2011, when Andy Carroll swapped Tyneside for Merseyside, a cool £35 million the sweetener.
They said it again last summer, when Jordan Henderson, of one season in the Sunderland first team fame, moved to Anfield for the modest sum of £20M.
Today, the Daily Mirror report that Brendan Rodgers is continuing that very tradition by looking to bring his ex Swansea charge Joe Allen to Liverpool. The Wales and Team GB midfielder reportedly has a clause in his contract which will allow him to move to a ‘top five’ club for a hefty looking £15M. He does look a player though, so this one may prove to be justified.
Liverpool should consider themselves lucky to be still be considered such though, given they finished a lowly eighth, just five points ahead of Swansea. Still, they won loads in the 80’s.
We could have sworn Rodgers said he wouldn’t try and snare any of his old Swansea players when he joined Liverpool. Having missed out on Glyfi Sigurdsson, Allen is next on the Northern Irishman’s list of targets. His name, according to reports, is also hastily scribbled on the back of Spurs’ cigarette packet.
Going?
It’s not so much a question of Luka Modric going, he’s been going since last summer. He’s been bound for better things ever since Harry Redknapp clumsily stumbled across that the Croat was a far better central schemer than a winger. It is a question of where he’ll go.
Up until yesterday, Real Madrid lead the chase for his signature. In fact, if it was any cliche, it was less of a chase and more of a tug-of-war between Madrid and current club Spurs. That was until oil-rich Paris Saint Germain gatecrashed the party. The Qatari backed side have indicated they are willing to match Spurs £40m price tag.
If Modric did move to France, he’d join up with recent double signings Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva. Here’s hoping the wantaway midfielder appreciates what a privilege it would be to play alongside this giant of the world game.
Going??
As reported on these pages yesterday and on Monday, Manchester United are reported to be continuing talks with Brazilian midfielder Lucas Moura. An initial bid of £20m is said to have been turned down by his club side Sao Paolo and Alex Ferguson has confirmed his interest in the youngster. Moura himself seems open to the Old Trafford club’s overtures but is waiting on an offer that suits both him and his club. The player’s agent Wagner Riberio said yesterday that Moura asked him to “keep negotiating.”
It’s been a quiet transfer window thus far for Ireland-related transfer dealings and Martin O’Neill has been quizzed on the idea of David Meyler leaving the Stadium of Light in the next month. Ex-Black Cats boss Steve Bruce has been linked with taking former Cork City midfielder to Hull City. Rather patronisingly, O’Neill responded by claiming Meyler was “courageous” and “brave”, without actually denying he could be shipped out before the window closes.
Gone!
Chelsea have issued a further Hazard warning (totally original pun alert) after completing the signing of Thorgan Hazard, young brother of big money arrival Eden.
The youngster made 16 appearances in Ligue 2 last season for RC Lens and represented Belgium at the 2011 UEFA European Under 19 Championships. No fee has been confirmed but needless to say, the younger Hazard cost a drop in the ocean compared to the reported £32 million splashed out on his brother.