Anfield may open door for Anelka
Liverpool are locked in an increasingly bitter war over the future of Real Madrid striker Fernando Morientes, despite the player’s demands to be allowed to move to Anfield.
Anfield boss Rafael Benitez is believed to have increased his bid for the 28 year-old striker to £5m (€7m).
But that still appears to be not enough for the Spanish giants, who want £7m (€10m) before allowing the hitman to leave.
The deadlocked situation has raised the prospect of Manchester City’s Nicolas Anelka being a shock Anfield target.
Sources in France today claim there has been an approach from Liverpool and discussions on a three-year contract have taken place.
Lyon have also entered the race for Morientes and the situation has become increasingly complicated by the fact that Real sacked coach Mariano Garcia Remon today.
New appointment Wanderley Luxemburgo seems likely to want to sign Brazil’s latest striking sensation, Robinho.
That would push Morientes even further down the pecking order, but the appointment of a new manager could delay a decision on the Spanish international, who has been top of Benitez’s shopping lit for weeks.
Benitez’s increased bid and Morientes’ demand that he be allowed to move to Merseyside seem to have been lost on the Madrid powerbrokers.
Liverpool will not pay £7m for Morientes, but may be prepared to give Manchester City £6m for Anelka, who had a short spell at Anfield under Gerard Houllier.
Anelka is only 24 and would be of more immediate benefit to Liverpool because he could play in the Champions League for them.
Liverpool also refuse, point blank, to allow a first option clause on Steven Gerrard to be part of any negotiations for Morientes.
Morientes is becoming increasingly frustrated with the situation, and in comments reported on www.Liverpoolfc.tv, said: “I am going to England, I have decided.
“I will go to Liverpool and for many reasons, the main one is the coach Rafa Benitez.
“He is Spanish and knows me perfectly, which is worth a lot for a professional.
“We have asked Real Madrid to make a fast solution and I don’t want to expand any further, except to say I am already looking through the English dictionary.”
Morientes, if he does sign, could not play for Liverpool until after the FA Cup third round tie at Burnley.
His registration could not be processed until the middle of next week and a player must sign seven days before a cup tie to play in the match.
Liverpool have also been hit by an injury to Harry Kewell, who they hoped would be able to play in the Barclays Premiership match against Chelsea on Saturday after missing two matches with a groin problem.
Liverpool still rule out a possible operation, but the Australian midfielder visited a specialist yesterday and had an injection – and will be out for between four and five weeks.
