Liverpool to battle Spurs for Young signature?

By Soccernet staff July 19, 2009

Liverpool are ready to join Tottenham in bidding to sign Ashley Young from Aston Villa, according to reports in the News of the World.

The winger is one of the best prospects in the league and Villa have reportedly rejected an opening £18m offer from Tottenham, saying it is nowhere near their £30m valuation of the player.

Now the door may be open for Liverpool to get involved as their move for Valencia midfielder David Silva has stalled.

However, while Villa are bracing themselves for Liverpool's offer, manager Martin O'Neill has said he does not want to see the player leave.

O'Neill insisted on Thursday: "There have been a lot of stories about Ashley - and that's what they are - stories."

He added: "No-one has come in and asked us about Ashley Young and I have got to tell you, if they did they would get short shrift."

GLEN JOHNSON: THE FIRST LIVERPOOL PICTURES

Paul Eaton 09 July 2009

New Liverpool signing Glen Johnson met up with his Anfield teammates for the first time on Wednesday - and we were there to snap some exclusive pictures at Melwood.

The England defender will be officially paraded as a Liverpool player on Thursday, when he will give his first interviews since swapping Fratton Park for Anfield last month.

But before his unveiling as Rafael Benitez's first summer signing, our new right back was getting used to his new surroundings at the club's training complex.

PHOTO SPECIAL: REDS BACK IN TRAINING

Jimmy Rice 07 July 2009

We went down to Melwood to bring you these exclusive shots of those among Rafa Benitez's squad who have returned to training following the summer break.





















(Final photo shows physio Matt Konopinski, sports therapist Ivan Ortega and fitness coach Eduardo Parra Garcia)

Real admit, Liverpool are pricing us out

Real Madrid director-general Jorge Valdano has told a Spanish radio station that it is likely the Spanish giants won’t be able to meet Liverpool’s price tag they’ve put on midfielder Xabi Alonso.

Alonso has been one of Real’s most targeted players this summer, but it is thought Rafa Benitez wants at least £35million for the Spanish international.

Speaking to Cadena Sar, Valdano said, “Xabi Alonso is a priority if he fits into our budget, and this doesn’t seem the case. We are very far from the figures that Liverpool have set out.

“Liverpool have taken up a difficult stance over Xabi Alonso. I don’t like to talk about the private details of negotiations.

“We are studying many alternatives. We want someone who can channel the play and there aren’t many like that in the world.”