Babel To Cost £10.8m And Also Signs Tomorrow

[Karl]

Who is this Also?

[RedinSweden]

Originally Posted by karl Who is this Also?

I read it as Aldo. Fuck, I'm gutted now. I thought he was making a come back.

[Slimmy]

Dutch star Ryan Babel on way as Yossi Benayoun completes Liverpool switch
Jul 11 2007 by Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo

RYAN Babel headed to Liverpool today to complete his move from Ajax as Yossi Benayoun became the latest addition to Rafa Benitez’s squad.

On another highly successful day of negotiating for chief executive Rick Parry, the Reds agreed deals with West Ham and were given permission by Ajax to discuss terms with Babel.

The 20-year-old Dutch forward will meet Anfield officials and prepare to undergo a medical at Melwood while Liverpool look to close the deal.

Benayoun also concludes the formalities of his switch from Upton Park today. The fee for Benayoun is reported as £5m, but officially both clubs have agreed to keep the figure undisclosed.

Chief executive Parry said today: “We’ve agreed the fee with West Ham for Yossi Benayoun. We’re not quite there with Ryan Babel yet, but we’ve now been given permission by Ajax to talk to the player. We hope to reach an agreement with Ajax very shortly.”

The Reds are expecting to pay around £10m for the youngster.

Benitez was in buoyant mood as another crucial part of his summer rebuilding plans neared conclusion.

The Spanish boss believes Benayoun can fill the gap in the squad vacated by the recently departed Luis Garcia.

“They are similar,” agreed Benitez.

“Maybe Luis is a player who scores more goals and Benayoun tends to make more assists. Like Luis, he is a very technical, clever player with a lot of game intelligence. He can also play in many positions, giving us a different option for the team.

“I first saw him play for Racing Santander in La Liga when he was a really good player, but when he first came to England we were watching to be sure he could adapt to a different style of football.

“It’s clear he’s done this very well at West Ham. Liverpool fans will remember how he played in the FA Cup Final against us when he was outstanding. We thought then this was a player who is capable of stepping up to a higher level.”

As with recent signing Fernando Torres, Benitez says Benayoun’s determination to move to Anfield was a key factor in the Reds sustaining their interest.

“He was offered a big new contract at West Ham and received offers from a lot of other clubs offering him more money,” explained Benitez.

“But Yossi’s message was always the same. He said he was desperate to only join Liverpool because this was his dream. When Rick, the Americans and I spoke about the player, we all agreed this is the kind of attitude we and our supporters really like.

“When you have quality players with his ability showing so much passion to play for your club, it’s really good for the team.”

Benitez will be hoping all three of his most recent recruits could be involved in their first training session today.

However, Torres is still nursing a slight injury so his introduction may be delayed.

“Fernando has returned to Liverpool now and we hope he can join training, but we must check his ankle,” explained Benitez. “It’s not a serious injury but we will be careful.”

[Thants]

Originally Posted by Our Rafa “Maybe Luis is a player who scores more goals and Benayoun tends to make more assists. Like Luis, he is a very technical, clever player with a lot of game intelligence. He can also play in many positions, giving us a different option for the team. “I first saw him play for Racing Santander in La Liga when he was a really good player, but when he first came to England we were watching to be sure he could adapt to a different style of football. “It’s clear he’s done this very well at West Ham. Liverpool fans will remember how he played in the FA Cup Final against us when he was outstanding. We thought then this was a player who is capable of stepping up to a higher level.”

But apparantly he's shit? The Rafalution enters its most important period.

[Slimmy]

As we all thought benny is a replacement for Luis, does that mean Rafa will be wanting to add atleast one more top class winger to the mix?

Though unlikely not beyond the realms of possibility

[Ian Sea]

Originally Posted by Slimmy As we all thought benny is a replacement for Luis, does that mean Rafa will be wanting to add atleast one more top class winger to the mix? Though unlikely not beyond the realms of possibility

I think so.

[Red Nick]

Originally Posted by Slimmy As we all thought benny is a replacement for Luis, does that mean Rafa will be wanting to add atleast one more top class winger to the mix? Though unlikely not beyond the realms of possibility

The first team squad already stands at 25 players with only 7 defenders

I think we'd have to let Leto go to accomodate another winger which I dont believe will be comming

[RedinSweden]

I think it will be Heinze or someone else in that position if that doesn't work out.

[memyselfandpie]

Bascombe notably praising Parry's dealings for the second time in as many days. Hmmm.

[Liverpoolway]

Originally Posted by Slimmy As we all thought benny is a replacement for Luis, does that mean Rafa will be wanting to add atleast one more top class winger to the mix? Though unlikely not beyond the realms of possibility

Rafa will sell Kewell if he can get Mancini.

Babel, Mancini, Pennant and Gerrard is more than sufficent.

[moxter]

Originally Posted by coop They want 20 million euros we offered 15 million so we have met them halfway at 17.5 million euros and then something about Kirkic going on loan to Ajax.

Barcelona and Ajax have recently hooked up so that they get the best loan deals/first dibs on each other's players etc.

Liverpool have recently hooked up with...MTK Budapest.

[hamstrung]

Originally Posted by Red Nick The first team squad already stands at 25 players with only 7 defenders I think we'd have to let Leto go to accomodate another winger which I dont believe will be comming

Shall we flog all the players who are yet to play for us?

[Liam]

£10-13m is a very good price for a young winger/striker. He is able to play in a number of positions which makes him very useful.

Last season Gonzalez and Bellamy were signed to offer us pace. This season its Babel and Torres. Im delighted.

[dudek#1]

Originally Posted by coop They want 20 million euros we offered 15 million so we have met them halfway at 17.5 million euros and then something about Kirkic going on loan to Ajax.

That Krkic is absolutely fucking amazing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7CHd9jd03M

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHGDNI_E76I

[DJLJ]

Originally Posted by dudek#1 That Krkic is absolutely fucking amazing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7CHd9jd03M http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHGDNI_E76I

He is very slightly built though. Unless he beefs up, he wont cut it in the PL.

[NelCarra]

Great News that Babel is fucking brill!

[keysaint]

http://aliverpoolthing.blogspot.com/...coming-to.html
some other dutch geezer on the way potentially by the sounds of things.

[Slimmy]

Liverpool and Ajax have reaches an agreement over the transfer of Ryan Babel. The citizens of amsterdam will catch more than 17