Liverpool in £16m swoop for Finnan & Duff

The Red Machine

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From the BBC:

Liverpool will make Fulham's Steve Finnan their first summer signing in a £4m deal - then launch a £12m transfer battle with Manchester United for Blackburn's Damien Duff.

BBC Sport understands that boss Gerard Houllier is close to completing a deal for the Republic of Ireland defender, who will play his final game for Fulham at Charlton on Sunday.

Houllier will then turn his attention to signing Duff in what is likely to be a club record £12m deal if it goes through.

Duff may also become a target for Manchester United, but Houllier is determined to add much-needed width to his squad and is understood to have made Blackburn's inspirational left-winger his top target.

Blackburn have admitted in recent weeks that they are virtually resigned to losing Duff, which has re-ignited Liverpool's interest in a player they have tracked for 12 months.

Finnan's move to Liverpool should be wrapped up shortly after the end of the season as part of Houllier's renewed bid to challenge Manchester United and Arsenal at the Premiership summit.

Finnan did little to dampen the speculation when he spoke exclusively to the BBC on Thursday.

"We'll just have to wait and see. After the Charlton game if they want to sell me they'll tell me," the Irishman told BBC London 94.9.

"In all honesty I've had five great years here, but if a top four or five team comes in, then you've got to think seriously about it.

"But if the club don't want to sell me then I am here and I am happy here.

"I've got a long contract and I would like to honour it, but if they want to sell me then I suppose it is only in my interests to go if its to the right club."

Steed Malbranque may also join his Fulham team-mate Finnan at Anfield in a £3m deal.

Houllier has been given the go-ahead to strengthen his squad by chief executive Rick Parry, who hinted at high-profile Anfield arrivals, even if Liverpool fail to qualify for the Champions League after Sunday's final game at Chelsea.

Parry said: "I'm reasonably hopeful that the sort of players we will be bringing in will please the fans and have them on the edge of their seats.

"We want them to be players who will make a significant improvement."

Liverpool are currently in pole position to land Duff, with only a serious intervention from Sir Alex Ferguson likely to stop Houllier finally landing the player.
 
The Guardian said last night that the Finnan deal was almost done at £3.5 million. At least Houllier is moving in the right direction - strengthening the flanks with quality players from the British Isles. Kewell or Duff would be the next area, after that, plus offloading the deadwood, they could mount a title challenge next year.

I heard Joe Cole for £8 million might also be on. Not always been a big fan of Cole, but i've been impressed with how he's dealt with the responsiblity of captaincy at West Ham - much like D'Alessandro at River.
 
Originally posted by The Red Machine:
<strong>From the BBC:

"but if a top four or five team comes in, then you've got to think seriously about it"

</strong><hr></blockquote>

See Finnan isn't as optimistic about your lot beating Chelsea. :)
Both very good moves for Liverpool if true...and if ye use them correctly.
Jari Litmannen was a good move, Anelka wasn't a bad one. Will Duff end up playing wing back or summat equally mad?
Also Parry makes it sound as if the moves are more by his instigation to save <img src="graemlins/houllier.gif" border="0" alt="[Houllier]" />
arse.
All that talk about bringing in players that the fans will approve off..doesn't that sound like a public admission that previous signings were a) shit b) boring c) shit?
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TBH: I rate Kewell higher then Duff, but the Aussie has a pretty bad injury record, so it's hard to tell which one of them would be the best buy.

I'd like us to get both, but frankly: us spending £20m is just not on the cards without a major clear-out first.

And in today's marketplace, I can't see who'd be willing to buy some of the players we want to offload - never mind paying their wages.
 
Finnan went seriously backwards this season. Another mediocre signing by the king of mediocre signings.
 
Originally posted by Dans:
<strong>Your point being?</strong><hr></blockquote>

Babbel and Heggem are both leaving, Carragher isnt up to it - I think Finnan or Carr is as good as their gonna get.
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Originally posted by Dans:
<strong>Finnan went seriously backwards this season. Another mediocre signing by the king of mediocre signings.</strong><hr></blockquote>

He has gone backwards, but it is a good signig for Liverpool (if not for us). Finnan is versatile and attack minded. Something you can't say about the other lumbering gobshites they call right backs. He is also ridiculously cheap if that is the right price.
TRM I'd say Duff is just as injury prone as Kewell, but if ye bought Kewell he'd play as striker and that wouldn't address the real problem on the flanks. Anyway Duff is better. (no bias ;) )
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Originally posted by The Red Machine:
<strong>TBH: I rate Kewell higher then Duff, but the Aussie has a pretty bad injury record, so it's hard to tell which one of them would be the best buy.

</strong><hr></blockquote>

duff is far more injury prone

still a class player but not at the 20m price being talked about
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Originally posted by giggzy:
<strong>Cafu's on a free... still a class RB imo.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Yes but not long-term. I'd sign Cafu if I was in a hurry for a right-back - L'Pool have the whole summer to find one, and there are better options imo.
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Originally posted by giggzy:
<strong>Cafu's on a free... still a class RB imo.</strong><hr></blockquote>

i just said that in another thread

he is class
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Originally posted by Gazza:
<strong>

Yes but not long-term. I'd sign Cafu if I was in a hurry for a right-back - L'Pool have the whole summer to find one, and there are better options imo.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Long term, shlong term... he's better than the players they're after. Why miss out on a free..and buy player who may improve their team enough for a CL place?

Fact is...when SAF started off intially, he bought young and 'old' players... tis about a healthy mix.


They need a CB(perhaps 2?) a RB, RW, LW and a CM....they may even need another forward.... imo.
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They do need major adjustments. Henchoz and Hyppia arent as fearsome as they used to be, and nowadays it seems on is always injured. Real quality centre-back, right-back, left-winger and a striker would do it imo.
 
Originally posted by giggzy:
<strong>30something... ;) </strong><hr></blockquote>

Thanks. ;) Isnt he about 35? That's bordering on past it imo, especially when pace is his forte, and he'll need it in the Premiership. Perhaps he could become another Angloma though.
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Who Liverpool should buy IMO
Mexes ----4 million buyout clause - Fast CB with passing ability. Something they so don't have.
Basturk ----free transfer if Leverkusen go down
Kewell -----for 6 milllion or whatever
Escude -----free transfer

No need to buy a new striker, use Owen, Baros, Mellor and Kewell or Diouf.
Sell or give away Heskey as a Bingo prize.
Any spare change throw at either D'Allesandro or Duff.
Hope this never occurs to them. <img src="graemlins/nervous.gif" border="0" alt="[Nervous]" />
 
The 27-year-old is set to be the first of Houllier's 'exciting' summer signings <hr></blockquote>

Same old false dawn promises. You buy cheap players you get cheap promises and end up struggling again. Shanks would turn in his grave at the way his club has gone.
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Originally posted by An Extremely Boring Man:
<strong>Finnan will not imrpove Liverpool - he's a bog-standard average rightback. No better or worse than Carragher</strong><hr></blockquote>

I wondered about this, I've not seen enough of him to think hes the next big thing, but however he must be an improvment going forward than Carra.
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Originally posted by alex hurley:
<strong>Who Liverpool should buy IMO
Mexes ----4 million buyout clause - Fast CB with passing ability. Something they so don't have.
Basturk ----free transfer if Leverkusen go down
Kewell -----for 6 milllion or whatever
Escude -----free transfer

No need to buy a new striker, use Owen, Baros, Mellor and Kewell or Diouf.
Sell or give away Heskey as a Bingo prize.
Any spare change throw at either D'Allesandro or Duff.
Hope this never occurs to them. <img src="graemlins/nervous.gif" border="0" alt="[Nervous]" /> </strong><hr></blockquote>

The clause in Mexes's contract stands at 2 million - but I think Auxerre want to debate that.

They do need a new striker imo - a proper striker to partner Owen. Cisse would be good for them.
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I wondered about this, I've not seen enough of him to think hes the next big thing <hr></blockquote>

The "next big thing". The guy is 27, an average full back, no more no less.
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Originally posted by ukbob:
<strong>

The "next big thing". The guy is 27, an average full back, no more no less.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Have you seen a lot of him?

I didn't think he was that old.
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Originally posted by Nate:
<strong>

Have you seen a lot of him?

I didn't think he was that old.</strong><hr></blockquote>

I've seen a fair bit of him - he plays in the Premiership after all...

He's 26-27 years old - remember this from last summer when people on here to my astonishment was championing him to replace Gary Neville....
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27 is right. Finnans a good player and he can play right midfield as well. As i've said already much better than the alternatives at Liverpool. Shouldn't need a long adjustment period. its an OK move. I'm not worried or anything but its a step forward for them.
 
From those cited above, I'd take Mexes & Cafu. Don't think much of Cissé to be honest.

Getting those two would sort our defence out, same thing for Duff/Kewell for our midfield.

Heard Rivaldo will be leaving Milan in the summer, so if GH wants to make up for his mistake (refusing to sign him last year) this surely is the best chance he'll ever get.

Just another striker - a good one this time thank you - to the pack and I could actually see us playing well - and win the league...

How 'bout this Liverpool - team

-------------- Kirkland ----------------
Cafu ------ Mexes ---- Hyppia ---- Finnan
---------------- Hamann ---------------
Duff ----------------------------- Kewell
----------------- Gerrard ---------------
----------- Owen --------- Rivaldo ------

Pass the waterpipe, Nate ;)
 
Rivaldo-liverpool <img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laugh Out Loud]" />
 
Originally posted by The Red Machine:
<strong>

-------------- Kirkland ----------------
Cafu ------ Mexes ---- Hyppia ---- Finnan
---------------- Hamann ---------------
Duff ----------------------------- Kewell
----------------- Gerrard ---------------
----------- Owen --------- Rivaldo ------

Pass the waterpipe, Nate ;) </strong><hr></blockquote>

Gerrards not an attacking midfielder. Thats why i suggested Basturk to play with Gerrard. Duff isn't a right winger (though he can do it). Finnan can only play left in emergencies.
Why have you lost your faith in Barros and Risse?
And the Handball king is a better defender than Hyppia.


;)
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Have you seen a lot of him? <hr></blockquote>

Not a tremendous amount to be honest, but what I did see he didn't jump out as an outstanding prospect, like I said earlier an average player.
Every season we see the same from Houlier, the signing of average players who he "hopes" will mold into a championship team.
Sorry, but it takes consistancy of playing together for a period of time in a settled side.I cannot in all honesty see liverpool being a threat if they keep on trying to "buy" a new team year after year. To me the only decent player he has brought that has stood the test of time is Hyppia.
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finnan's best attributes are starting the attack from deep. v.d. saar always looked to him immediately. finnan's first ball is usually an intelligent one and more often than not very safe. joining the attack on the flank he's quite good too, no real pace but keeps it on the deck or keeps possession; he can't defend though, at least this season he was found seriously wanting the few times i've seen him. dunno about his crossing
 
Ok.

Kewell is better than Duff, but he is older and reportedly has a deal with United anyway.

The 'Cole for 8mill' is also possible, but that would only ever happen, Shanks thinks, if Hamann was shown the door following the reported bust ups he's had.

As for Rivaldo, he's a boyhood LFC fan and is desperate to play in the Prem. Ged rejected his wages last year so he went to Milan on a free. A similar thing could happen this summer as Rivaldo clearly wants out. If he takes a pay cut it's possible. But Cisse is a more realistic signing.

And then there's Malbranque and Finnan. 7million for those is great business. Both would provide a bit more attaking options, but obviously Malbranque would only be signed if Hamann goes and Cole can't be lured.

Finnan is allegedly a stop gap 'til Jon Otsemobor gets some more experience.

There are other options too, but they haven't really been covered much in the media.

:)
 
Not knowing how the finances will pan out for the scousers, but they could use(obvious ones):

1. Duff/Kewell -will get the one we decline.

2. Finnan -a better footballer than Carragher but not a Cafu.

3. Cisse/Makaay - <img src="graemlins/houllier.gif" border="0" alt="[Houllier]" /> loves Djibril they say.

4. Boumsong -french U21 CB and probably not too pricey. Excellent athlete.
 
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