[lfc-news] Spurs in market for £2m Finnan - Post

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Liverpool Daily Post, 17 Aug 2004
Spurs in market for £2m Finnan
By Andy Hunter, Daily Post

STEVE FINNAN could be the next departure from Liverpool with Tottenham keen
to take the Republic of Ireland international to White Hart Lane.

Michael Owen, Danny Murphy and El-Hadji Diouf have all left Anfield in the
past seven days as Rafael Benitez looks to finance moves for £10.7million
Xabi Alonso plus £6m-rated Luis Garcia.

And Finnan could also be on his way after new Tottenham coach Jacques
Santini registered an interest in the 28-year-old.

The defender was signed from Fulham for £3.6m only last summer but his
Anfield future was put in doubt by Benitez's first signing as Liverpool
manager, £2m fullback Josemi.

And with Antonio Nunez arriving at Anfield this week as part of the Michael
Owen deal with Real Madrid, plus Benitez's desire to land another player
for the right flank, Finnan's days as a makeshift midfielder - which saw
him start the Champions League qualifier against Grazer AK and Saturday's
Premiership opener at Spurs - are shortlived..

Liverpool will listen to offers for the former Fulham favourite but are
only interested in straight cash deals of around £2m.

Blackburn Rovers enquired about Finnan last month but were only interested
in a season-long loan deal and having offloaded Bruno Cheyrou and Diouf on
a temporary basis to Marseille and Bolton respectively, Liverpool now want
permanent exits.

New Spurs coach Santini is desperate for a new right-back having lost
Stephen Carr to Newcastle and his understudy Stephen Kelly to a long-term
injury.

Spanish international Alonso is expected to complete his move to Liverpool
on Thursday providing Real Madrid do not make any last-ditch bids for the
Real Sociedad playmaker.

Alonso's agent Inaki Ibanez confirmed a deal had effectively been sealed
with Anfield officials over the weekend.

And the 22-year-old should sign a five-year contract at Liverpool after
Spain's friendly against Venezuela tomorrow.

"The crossing of Xabi Alonso to Liverpool practically is done," said Ibanez.

"On the part of the player everything is closed and now there are only
small details between clubs to be done."

Sociedad president Jose Luis Astiazaran has also confirmed the move,
revealing Liverpool's offer was the most concrete.

"The most serious offer from all the teams has been from Liverpool, who
have been interested in our player," said Astiazaran..

Harry Kewell, meanwhile, has reiterated his desire to play in the
Confederations Cup qualifiers against the Solomon Islands in October.

Kewell has been criticised back home for not making himself available for
national team duty but insists he is always available when it counts.

"I have always said I will be there for Australia when it matters - and I
have been," said the Liverpool midfielder. "That of course applies for the
Solomons matches (on October 9 and 13).

"It amazes me when people knock nations like the Solomon Islands when
lately at every World Cup or European Championship we see supposedly weak
countries beat the world's best.

"Look how well Croatia, Senegal and Greece have done over the last 10
years. In football you don't take anything for granted."


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