Down the East Lancs Road in the Spanish imperial port of Liverpool, Rafael Benitez is apparently seething once again at having been refused the money to buy Gareth Barry.
And who can blame him. Much as we hate to admit it the Scousers are one or two signings away from being a serious force in English football once again.
One of those signings is Gareth Barry - Capello’s first choice for England, bosom buddy of Stevie Me and capable of filling in at three separate positions - central midfield, left midfield and the position he started out in - left back.
A signing which seemed nailed on earlier in the summer now seems dead in the water as the owners refuse to stump up cash that the manager clearly wants desperately.
Rick Parry, Liverpool chief exec said of the situation:
“This is not about questioning the manager’s judgement or the ability of a particular player.
“The owners have clearly demonstrated throughout the year they are willing to back Rafa in the transfer market and will continue to do so.
“It is obviously the selling club’s prerogative to put whatever price they want on the player, but on this occasion Liverpool think the price quoted is too high.”
But £20 million wasn’t too high for a 28 year old striker in Robbie Keane - even though strikers have shorter effective life spans that midfielders.
And, £18 million isn’t too high for David Silva - Liverpool now being rumoured to be ready to challenge United and Barca for the signature of the exciting but unseasoned youngster.
As United fans we can only but hope they hold firm in this foolish policy - not only does it deprive them of a final jigsaw piece (because that’s how important we think Barry could be for them) but it further sows the seeds of discontent between the manager and the management.
All good news then. Enjoy coming third or fourth!
And who can blame him. Much as we hate to admit it the Scousers are one or two signings away from being a serious force in English football once again.
One of those signings is Gareth Barry - Capello’s first choice for England, bosom buddy of Stevie Me and capable of filling in at three separate positions - central midfield, left midfield and the position he started out in - left back.
A signing which seemed nailed on earlier in the summer now seems dead in the water as the owners refuse to stump up cash that the manager clearly wants desperately.
Rick Parry, Liverpool chief exec said of the situation:
“This is not about questioning the manager’s judgement or the ability of a particular player.
“The owners have clearly demonstrated throughout the year they are willing to back Rafa in the transfer market and will continue to do so.
“It is obviously the selling club’s prerogative to put whatever price they want on the player, but on this occasion Liverpool think the price quoted is too high.”
But £20 million wasn’t too high for a 28 year old striker in Robbie Keane - even though strikers have shorter effective life spans that midfielders.
And, £18 million isn’t too high for David Silva - Liverpool now being rumoured to be ready to challenge United and Barca for the signature of the exciting but unseasoned youngster.
As United fans we can only but hope they hold firm in this foolish policy - not only does it deprive them of a final jigsaw piece (because that’s how important we think Barry could be for them) but it further sows the seeds of discontent between the manager and the management.
All good news then. Enjoy coming third or fourth!
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