welcome ryan babel

[Rehan]

He looked good in under 21s although he was playing upfront

[Red Chilli]

Ajax fans semed more pissed at losing Geordie Brewer to be honest

[tomasjj]

Ajaz fans tend to be quite relaxed about players mving on anyway...

they never get up in arms about **** all. They can be a bit up there own arse to be honest.

I'd be surprised if they were kicking off saying he's the best player in the world.

and my mate Arjan doesn't exactly strike me as an authority, just someone who goes the game on occasion.

you'd be better with an opinion from a feyenoord fan.... i'll text one now...lol

Amsterdam snobs.
Typical.

[Flake]

ok, my mate who's a feyenoord fan texted back.
basically they're well happy, cause they're pretty big on us, cause we bought Kuyt and they still love him, and us signing babel is a win win as far as he's concerned, weekens ajax and strengthens us.

He thinks Babel is a very good player and an even better prospect.

[Shaggy]

ok, my mate who's a feyenoord fan texted back.
basically they're well happy, cause they're pretty big on us, cause we bought Kuyt and they still love him, and us signing babel is a win win as far as he's concerned, weekens ajax and strengthens us.

He thinks Babel is a very good player and an even better prospect.

[REDSCOUSER]

Sounds like sour grapes from the Ajax fans and happy days for Feynoord.

[disco]

Away at Villa....

------Crouch--Torres
Babel----------------Gerrard
------Alonso--Masher

[Ben_Itez]

Excellent news.

I still think Kewell will be first choice at the start of the season and Baa-bul will be introduced Agger style into the first team over the season. Not seen much of him but he's seems to have all the attributes required for the Prem. Fantastic long term signing.

Loving it.

[kurtangle01]

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premiership/liverpool/article2062186.ece

The times says £11.5m deal is done.

Lets hope this is right. I'd hate to think that we brought the guy all the way over here and done everything but agree a fee and then feck it up over the fee.

[red g]

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/spo...cle2062186.ece

The times says £11.5m deal is done.

Lets hope this is right. I'd hate to think that we brought the guy all the way over here and done everything but agree a fee and then feck it up over the fee.

i think our new found man of action the parrynator will sort it

[matycowling1007]

[[ATTACH]433[/ATTACH]

[livvy145]

Rafa hits £37m after Babel and Benayoun join up

By JOHN EDWARDS




Rafa Benitez took his spending to £37million inside a week yesterday as Liverpool underlined their determination not to be left behind in the coming season's title race.

Alarmed at the way his side trailed in a distant third last season and how champions Manchester United have set the pace in this summer's transfer dealings, the Anfield boss reacted by adding £12m Ryan Babel and £5m Yossi Benayoun to last week's £20m record capture of Atletico Madrid striker Fernando Torres.

Ajax's Holland Under 21 forward Babel flew to England for a medical and pay talks after the clubs agreed a fee, while Benayoun headed north last night ahead of a press conference to confirm his arrival from West Ham.

Negotiations over Babel's contract should be quick after the 20-year-old admitted he was eager to prove himself.

He said: "I've spoken to Rafa Benitez and that was when I knew everything would be signed. He has a clear vision of what he wants and said I'd be competing with six others for four positions in the forward line."

Liverpool in training

Spanish practice: Torres (centre) gets a one-to-one briefing in his own language from Benitez in the £20m man’s first Liverpool training session

Benayoun made it equally clear he wanted to be part of Benitez's plan to end a barren spell in the league that dates back to 1990.

The Israel midfielder accepted a four-year deal that will reward him with around £45,000 a week but still leave him £2m worse off than if he had responded to overtures from Manchester City.

After hearing the 27-year-old had stalled over a new contract at Upton Park last month, City told his advisers they would top West Ham's £50,000-a-week weekly wage by at least £5,000.

Benayoun rejected it without even speaking to City and told West Ham he intended holding out for a move to Anfield. His defiance finally paid off when they relented over their £6m asking price and sanctioned a £5m deal.

Benitez may flex his financial muscle again after earmarking United's £6m-rated Gabriel Heinze for his problem left-back position, although Real Madrid are also keen on the Argentina defender.

Whatever the outcome over Heinze, Benitez is content that American owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks have heeded his call for substantial transfer backing and delivered a clear statement of intent about taking Liverpool back to the top.

"They were unequivocal about backing the manager and here is the proof," said chief executive Rick Parry.

[Marky]

[[ATTACH]433[/ATTACH]

Nice

[Marky]

Rafa hits £37m after Babel and Benayoun join up

By JOHN EDWARDS




Rafa Benitez took his spending to £37million inside a week yesterday as Liverpool underlined their determination not to be left behind in the coming season's title race.

Alarmed at the way his side trailed in a distant third last season and how champions Manchester United have set the pace in this summer's transfer dealings, the Anfield boss reacted by adding £12m Ryan Babel and £5m Yossi Benayoun to last week's £20m record capture of Atletico Madrid striker Fernando Torres.

Ajax's Holland Under 21 forward Babel flew to England for a medical and pay talks after the clubs agreed a fee, while Benayoun headed north last night ahead of a press conference to confirm his arrival from West Ham.

Negotiations over Babel's contract should be quick after the 20-year-old admitted he was eager to prove himself.

He said: "I've spoken to Rafa Benitez and that was when I knew everything would be signed. He has a clear vision of what he wants and said I'd be competing with six others for four positions in the forward line."

Liverpool in training

Spanish practice: Torres (centre) gets a one-to-one briefing in his own language from Benitez in the £20m man’s first Liverpool training session

Benayoun made it equally clear he wanted to be part of Benitez's plan to end a barren spell in the league that dates back to 1990.

The Israel midfielder accepted a four-year deal that will reward him with around £45,000 a week but still leave him £2m worse off than if he had responded to overtures from Manchester City.

After hearing the 27-year-old had stalled over a new contract at Upton Park last month, City told his advisers they would top West Ham's £50,000-a-week weekly wage by at least £5,000.

Benayoun rejected it without even speaking to City and told West Ham he intended holding out for a move to Anfield. His defiance finally paid off when they relented over their £6m asking price and sanctioned a £5m deal.

Benitez may flex his financial muscle again after earmarking United's £6m-rated Gabriel Heinze for his problem left-back position, although Real Madrid are also keen on the Argentina defender.

Whatever the outcome over Heinze, Benitez is content that American owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks have heeded his call for substantial transfer backing and delivered a clear statement of intent about taking Liverpool back to the top.

"They were unequivocal about backing the manager and here is the proof," said chief executive Rick Parry.

Nice one Yossi la

[Mattshark]

Why are City so convinced they can sign our targets?