Morientes too Expensive for Real Betis?


Real Betis want to sign Liverpool striker Fernando Morientes, but his financial demands could scupper the deal.


The Spanish international moved to Anfield from Real Madrid for a fee of £6.3million in January 2005. But since then he's failed miserably to live up to his lofty reputation, and has struggled to make a regular first-team impression.
Liverpool now seem ready to offload him, and are resigned to losing cash in the process. But according to The Liverpool Echo any deal could be scuppered by the player's financial demands.

The paper says Betis are believed to be ready to pay £2.5million for Morrientes. Espanyol and Fenerbahce are also reportedly interested in signing him.
Source: Football 365

Follow up:

Liverpool coaches in Ghana for Ashantigold talks


Liverpool coaches Stuart Gelling and Gareth Evans have touched down in Accra to sound out Ghana's Ashantigold FC about their collaboration agreement.

"We hope to enjoy our stay and learn a great deal of Ghanaian football. We have come here with an open mind to have a look at Ashantigold and report back to Mr. Rick Parry who sent us," Gelling told Liverpoolfc.tv.
"We will look out at players with the required standards for European football. Ashantigold approached Liverpool and requested our support. So why not give them a try?"

Officials of Ashanitigold, including Kudjo Fianoo and board chairman Dan Owiredu, travelled to Anfield last January to hold talks with Rick Parry and this visit by the Liverpool Academy technical staff is a follow up action.
Source: Tribal Football


Jermaine Pennant Reckons he's off to Liverpool


Jermaine Pennant has finished mourning Birmingham's relegation to the Championship - and turned his attentions to his own elevation back to the top flight.


The bad-boy Blues midfielder has been on an end-of-season break in the footballers' favourite holiday haunt of Puerto Banus. And he spent an evening in Lineker's Bar, in the Costa Del Sol resort's posh marina area, telling pals he had spoken to Rafa Benitez and was moving closer to securing a switch to Liverpool. Reds boss Benitez is well aware of Pennant's past, but is confident he can succeed where Steve Bruce and Arsene Wenger failed in taming the former Arsenal wildchild. His off-the-field problems have included a drink-driving jail sentence and several other late-night incidents.

Benitez was understood to be preparing a £4 million swoop for Pennant, although the FA Cup winners could now get their man cheaper than that following the Blues' relegation from the Premiership.
Source: The Sunday People