Crouch and Hyypia to be offered new contracts

[coop]

New deals for Reds duo

Mar 1 2008 by Tony Barrett, Liverpool Echo

Peter Crouch

LIVERPOOL are ready to offer new contracts to both Peter Crouch and Sami Hyypia.

Reds boss Rafa Benitez is looking to tie the pair down to new deals in a bid to ward off growing interest in them from clubs at home and abroad.

Despite approaching his 35th birthday, Hyypia has been one of Liverpool's star performers this season and Benitez is keen to reward the long-serving Finn by offering him an extension which would see him clock up a decade of service at Anfield.

Newcastle, Bolton and Fulham are all interested in signing Hyypia but Benitez has acted quickly to give him the chance to remain at the club he joined for a bargain £2.5m in 1999.

Hyypia recently spoke of his desire to stay at Anfield despite being aware of interest from other clubs and it would be a major surprise if he was to decline an offer from Liverpool.

Crouch's situation is more complicated as he in the last 18 months of his current deal and, having been in and out of the starting line-up this season, it is unclear whether he will be prepared to commit his long term future to the club.

Under the terms of a recent landmark legal case which has had massive implications for players contracts, Crouch will this summer be in a position to take advantage of Article 17 of FIFA's regulations on the status and transfer of players.

This rule allows players under the age of 28 who have served three years of a four or five year contract to effectively hand in their notice and move to another club.

Players over 28 can take advantage of the ruling after just two years of their contract.

Crouch, 27, will finish the third year of his four-year deal at the end of this season and, as such, would therefore be able to move elsewhere if he is prepared to quit Liverpool and pay them compensation.

Benitez is ready to test just how happy Crouch is at Liverpool and a formal contract offer is expected to be made imminently.

[StevieH]

I think Hyypia is worth retaining as he is a model pro & an excellent role model for the younger players. I would consider offering him a role on the backroom staff or at the Academy when he does retire because he has a lot of knowledge and experience to pass on. I can't see Crouch staying long-term.

[billybonzo]

What the hells going on, things are far too positive today.

[Section_31]

Originally Posted by billybonzo What the hells going on, things are far too positive today.

Wasn't Rafa saying the other day that "I can't discuss contracts with Sami yet, he knows why, but hopefully soon" or something along those lines?

I thought at the time it had something to do with not knowing yet who was calling the shots, maybe we're moving closer to an ownership resolution here?

Fingers crossed.

[StevieH]

Originally Posted by Section_31 Wasn't Rafa saying the other day that "I can't discuss contracts with Sami yet, he knows why, but hopefully soon" or something along those lines? I thought at the time it had something to do with not knowing yet who was calling the shots, maybe we're moving closer to an ownership resolution here? Fingers crossed.

Hicks takes full control?

[billybonzo]

Your very optimistic today Stevie boy.

[Section_31]

Originally Posted by StevieH Hicks takes full control?

If that was the case I doubt we'd be spending any dosh until champs league qualification was secure. Just my gut feeling.

Who knows anyway, info out of LFC has never been so hard to come by or so difficult to trust, it's like a fucking Soviet era country these days.

[StevieH]

Originally Posted by billybonzo Your very optimistic today Stevie boy.

I'm just pissed off with it all. We are falling further & further into mediocrity and are lightyears behind Manchester United and Arsenal both on and off the field as a result of poor decision making made by Moores and Parry throughout their tenure. We have owners who are bleeding us dry and the future looks bleak.

[billybonzo]

Originally Posted by StevieH I'm just pissed off with it all. We are falling further & further into mediocrity and are lightyears behind Manchester United and Arsenal both on and off the field as a result of poor decision making made by Moores and Parry throughout their tenure. We have owners who are bleeding us dry and the future looks bleak.

So thats a yes then

[Thomo123]

Originally Posted by billybonzo So thats a yes then

[Hatred]

Good news and bad news.

[Unrighteous]

I suppose that means Crouch will get more money in the transfer window, then.

Get in for Sami!

[WaltonRed]

Great news.

[dark train]

Sami deserves it and i'm really pleased he'll get his ten years. Legend.

[drewy]

BOSS: CROUCH AND HYYPIA COULD SIGN SOON

Over the moon for Sami, sound like Crouch wants to stay as well.