[lfc-news] Benitez moves in for Stelios - Echo

------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~-->
Get fast access to your favorite Yahoo! Groups. Make Yahoo! your home page
http://us.click.yahoo.com/dpRU5A/wUILAA/yQLSAA/2_TolB/TM
--------------------------------------------------------------------~->

Liverpool Echo, 23 Aug 2005
Benitez moves in for Stelios
By Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo

GREEK winger Stelios Giannakopoulos is in Liverpool's sights after the
Reds made an official approach to Bolton.

Reds boss Rafa Benitez has declined the chance to bring Nolberto Solano
to Anfield as part of the £6.5m Milan Baros transfer, and has turned to
Greek midfielder Stelios for a bargain £1m.

Baros completed his transfer to Villa today, providing more funds for
Benitez to strengthen other areas.

Benitez has tracked Stelios all summer as he seeks to increase his
options on the right flank.

With deadline day looming, that interest has now materialised into an
approach with the Greek having a get-out clause in his contract should
Bolton receive a £1m bid.

Benitez's intentions in the transfer market are now taking shape.

He's confirmed his interest in Bundesliga pair Fernando Meira of
Stuttgart and Lukas Sinkiewicz of Colgone. And he is also considering
20-year-old Dane Daniel Agger. Who arrives depends on their fee, with
Agger currently priced beyond Benitez ' s valuation.

Liverpool want to sign a minimum of three players. With the right
midfielder identified, and the defender likely to be one of the three
listed, the attention will switch to the forward line.

Michael Owen dominates the agenda, but he now knows he faces a rival in
Dirk Kuyt if the current stalemate continues.

Benitez openly admits his interest in the Feyenoord striker, but a move
for the Dutchman is only likely if no progress is made with Owen over
the next few days.

Contrary to ludicrous rumours, Benitez is under no pressure to complete
a deal for Owen from chairman David Moores.

Nor will the chairman be dipping into his own bank account to finance a
deal against Benitez's will.

The suggestion Benitez would yield to any boardroom interference when it
comes to transfer targets is nonsensical, particularly as this was one
of the reasons behind his departure from Valencia.

The delay has more to do with a delicate negotiation than any
unwilling-ness on the manager's part.

Liverpool hope, as the transfer deadline approaches, Owen's fervent
desire to return to Anfield will become clearer and Real Madrid will be
realistic about an affordable deal.

Benitez today reassured Liverpool fans he's making progress in bringing
the right players to the club.

"I'm not anxious about the situation," said Benitez today..

"I know when the end of the transfer window approaches there is a lot of
anxiety, but I have a clear idea. When the right players come along,
we'll sign them. If we can't, we will wait.

"However, we are confident we will find the right players. Our scout
department is doing a good job and they have worked really hard for us.
We have the names and we would like to bring some of them here."

Liverpool face CSKA Sofia tonight. Didi Hamann will return for the
absent Steven Gerrard, while Djibril Cisse starts in a striking role.

Unsubscribe: lfc-news-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
http://www.lfc-list.org.uk/

Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lfc-news/

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
lfc-news-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/