This sort of reporting annoys the hell out of me - no mention whatsoever of the money we have recouped from sales, which would cover about half of the "huge outlay" Rafa has spent...
YANKS A MILLION
Torres, Babel, Benayoun and Heinze on the way.. Rafa can't stop spending American owners' money
By David Maddock 11/07/2007
LIVERPOOL manager Rafa Benitez will take his spending to almost £50million this summer after agreeing two more big-money deals.
The Anfield boss (right) last night agreed a fee with West Ham for Israeli international Yossi Benayoun - and secured the signing of young Dutch superstar Ryan Babel. Benitez had hinted back in May he could quit the club should his demands for massive transfer funds be ignored in the close season. But last night he admitted "almost all" of his questions concerning the club's American owners had been answered.
West Ham had been holding over the fee for Benayoun. They wanted £1million more than Liverpool's revised offer of £5m. But the difference was ironed out and the two parties are hopeful of finalising the move today with a four-year deal at £50,000 a week in personal terms for the midfielder.
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Babel will fly into England today for a medical and to finalise a contract, after his club Ajax accepted a bid of £8m - which will rise as high as £12million with add-ons.
The Holland international was on holiday in Surinam when he got the call allowing him to discuss terms, and he was late last night trying to make travel arrangements for his dream move to come true.
With the Merseyside club spending a record fee of £21m to bring Spanish superstar Fernando Torres to the Premiership, Benitez has almost matched Manchester United in his outlay this summer.
He has signed 10 young players who could add up to around £5m in total.
Add to that the £5m he spent on Brazilian Lucas Levia, and the £6m he is still hoping will tempt Manchester United to sell Gabriel Heinze, and Liverpool will comfortably crash through the £50m barrier this summer.
YANKS A MILLION
Torres, Babel, Benayoun and Heinze on the way.. Rafa can't stop spending American owners' money
By David Maddock 11/07/2007
LIVERPOOL manager Rafa Benitez will take his spending to almost £50million this summer after agreeing two more big-money deals.
The Anfield boss (right) last night agreed a fee with West Ham for Israeli international Yossi Benayoun - and secured the signing of young Dutch superstar Ryan Babel. Benitez had hinted back in May he could quit the club should his demands for massive transfer funds be ignored in the close season. But last night he admitted "almost all" of his questions concerning the club's American owners had been answered.
West Ham had been holding over the fee for Benayoun. They wanted £1million more than Liverpool's revised offer of £5m. But the difference was ironed out and the two parties are hopeful of finalising the move today with a four-year deal at £50,000 a week in personal terms for the midfielder.
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Babel will fly into England today for a medical and to finalise a contract, after his club Ajax accepted a bid of £8m - which will rise as high as £12million with add-ons.
The Holland international was on holiday in Surinam when he got the call allowing him to discuss terms, and he was late last night trying to make travel arrangements for his dream move to come true.
With the Merseyside club spending a record fee of £21m to bring Spanish superstar Fernando Torres to the Premiership, Benitez has almost matched Manchester United in his outlay this summer.
He has signed 10 young players who could add up to around £5m in total.
Add to that the £5m he spent on Brazilian Lucas Levia, and the £6m he is still hoping will tempt Manchester United to sell Gabriel Heinze, and Liverpool will comfortably crash through the £50m barrier this summer.
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