[lfc-news] Reds will up bid to land Crouch - Echo

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Liverpool Echo, 8 June 2005
Reds will up bid to land Crouch
By Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo

LIVERPOOL will step up their bid to sign Peter Crouch by increasing
their £5m valuation.

Southampton have placed an extraordinary £7m price tag on striker,
although Saints boss Harry Redknapp is privately resigned to losing the
24-year-old striker.

Liverpool hoped Crouch would leave for a bargain fee in the aftermath of
his club's relegation from the Premiership, but manager Rafa Benitez is
determined to sign the forward and negotiations will advance when chief
executive Rick Parry returns to the country in a few days.

Despite an inflated valuation, the 6ft 7 inch forward still represents a
cheaper option than Feyenoord's Dirk Kuyt, who is valued at £10m.

Crouch could finally join the Reds for around £6m.

England international Crouch has suffered the indignity of having his
wages halved by Southampton in the aftermath of relegation.

His salary has been cut from £9,000 a week to £4,500 by chairman Rupert
Lowe, which would make the club helpless if Liverpool make their move.

After weeks of speculation, Liverpool are still considering many of
their other options in transfer market, although Benitez hopes to seal
most of his deals before the players return to pre-season training on
June 27.

Much still depends on UEFA's verdict regarding Champions League
qualification, now expected on Friday.

Goalkeeper Jose Reina is heading to Merseyside in a £6m deal, while Real
Zaragoza's defender Gabriel Milito is expected to follow when his
international duty with Argentina ends.

With regards to outgoings, Lyon have openly admitted they're interested
in signing striker Milan Baros.

While the Reds would welcome all bids which meet a £7m valuation, the
Czech star's previously fraught relationship with ex-boss Gerard
Houllier could be a stumbling block to a deal.

Baros publicly stated he would have quit Anfield last season if Houllier
had remained in charge, making any bid to reunite the duo very surprising.

Despite morning reports, Deportivo La Coruna winger Albert Luque is not
an Anfield target.

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