Liverpool are reportedly tracking Schalke attacking midfielder Lewis Holtby, who recently described he possibility of moving to the Premier League as a 'dream'.
Holtby has been linked with a move to Anfield several times over the the last six months, and according to a source close to the club, the Reds are 'keen to talk' to the youngster about a possible move.
When asked yesterday about rumours linking him with a move to England, the 22-year old said:
"We will see when it happens. Everton are close to my heart and I always loved watching Arsenal because of their style of play and some of the players they've had"
Holtby's current contract ends soon, and in July, he admitted that a move away could definitely be on the cards:
"I would be lying if I said I will definitely extend may contract [with Schalke]. My dream was always the Premier League, and someday I will make this step.
"I just have a great affinity for English football, and I've always said: If I am good enough for the Premier League, I want to play there too"
Alas, there is, unfortunately, one slight issue that could prevent €8m-rated Holtby from joining Liverpool:
"My father was born in England and was a Everton fan since the age of five. He immediately infected me with the Everton virus! Since then I have been a Everton fan and have always followed their games"
Holtby certainly fits the 'buy them young' policy at Liverpool but would he actually improve the squad? Here are his league stats from last season:
* 6 goals and 1 assist in 27 league games.
* 1 goal every 322 minutes (1 every 3.5 games)
* 1 shot on goal every 175 minutes (1 every 1.9 games)
* 28% Shooting accuracy
* Successful cross every 74 minutes.
Stats: OPTA
Granted, not the greatest stats, but he's only 22 and can only improve. Worth a bid?
Jaimie Kanwar
Holtby has been linked with a move to Anfield several times over the the last six months, and according to a source close to the club, the Reds are 'keen to talk' to the youngster about a possible move.
When asked yesterday about rumours linking him with a move to England, the 22-year old said:
"We will see when it happens. Everton are close to my heart and I always loved watching Arsenal because of their style of play and some of the players they've had"
Holtby's current contract ends soon, and in July, he admitted that a move away could definitely be on the cards:
"I would be lying if I said I will definitely extend may contract [with Schalke]. My dream was always the Premier League, and someday I will make this step.
"I just have a great affinity for English football, and I've always said: If I am good enough for the Premier League, I want to play there too"
Alas, there is, unfortunately, one slight issue that could prevent €8m-rated Holtby from joining Liverpool:
"My father was born in England and was a Everton fan since the age of five. He immediately infected me with the Everton virus! Since then I have been a Everton fan and have always followed their games"
Holtby certainly fits the 'buy them young' policy at Liverpool but would he actually improve the squad? Here are his league stats from last season:
* 6 goals and 1 assist in 27 league games.
* 1 goal every 322 minutes (1 every 3.5 games)
* 1 shot on goal every 175 minutes (1 every 1.9 games)
* 28% Shooting accuracy
* Successful cross every 74 minutes.
Stats: OPTA
Granted, not the greatest stats, but he's only 22 and can only improve. Worth a bid?
Jaimie Kanwar
Jamie Kanwar no harm to you! but i very much doubt we'll be signing any more midfielders in January!! limited money which i presume will be spent on a striker and not on some over rated midfielder!
ReplyDeleteCarragher was an Bluenose until he saw the light. Owen was one too, unfortunately for him he fell into the manure. So you can get over your affliction and it's painless.
ReplyDeleteSo Owen and this blog are related how?
ReplyDeleteWhats your problem? Do you need a sense of humour upgrade. That could be painless too.
ReplyDeleteno usually find things that are humorous funny sorry! drab comments don't usually do it for me!
ReplyDeleteSorry didn't realise you where a bluenose troll.
ReplyDeleteHoltby certainly has all the talent you could want, but it's hard to tell whether this is a move we can even pull off. There's no clear indication that he'll actually leave Schalke, who are performing quite well at the moment, do offer CL football and might do so as well next season. We might not even be able to offer international football, at all. Even if he left, aside from his father being from Liverpool, there's not really a lot in it for him and other clubs would certainly court him as well.
ReplyDeleteall available funds must be channeled towards a new striker. there's not enough options at present and IF Suarez is injured, we are going to struggle.
ReplyDeleteActually we are struggling now. 2 forwards must be signed in January. We don't need Midfielders for now. The international breaks are a nightmare for us fans.
ReplyDeleteIf only Carragher had remained a Bluenose.
ReplyDeleteWE HAVE FAR MORE BETTER PLAYERS THAN HIM
ReplyDeleteall we need is a team of carragers.
ReplyDeleteits a no brainer hes on a free if you can get him for nowt and things dont work out you can ship him on for a profit
ReplyDeleteEven money says that Liverpool spends all available cash to bring in a quality striker. While Rodgers and most fans are excited about young Raheems first senior BPL goal the fact that goals won't be fast and free this season is not lost on management. Holtby won't be cheap and Liverpool is not prepared to compete on different fronts for top quality talent. These days we as a club we choose our battles carefully knowing that we do not have the transfer kitty enjoyed by some of the other big clubs. The need for a prolific goal scoring machine upfront out weighs the need for Lewis Holtby. I can only see this happening if Shalke gives him away for almost nothing or if a two seasons of Europa league sits well with him ( i say two seasons because we are far below Everton in the standings for the first time in donkey years).
ReplyDeleteHoltby won't be cheap, you claim. So how much do you think will Schalke ask for for a player whose contract is running out in June next year? Me thinks that he is free to discuss a Bosman transfer come January.
ReplyDeleteGood idea going after him. People claim that we are loaded in midfield, but I simply can't see that. Sahin may well be gone next season, Gerrard isn't getting any younger and both Suso and Sterling are pretty young and we should really try to give them some rest. Wouldn't be the first time that youngsters, who've had plenty of games at a young age, went on to be somewhat injury prone later on in their career.
ReplyDeleteRidiculous some of the disrespect people show Carra nowadays. Admittedly he is shite now, but that doesn't mean he wasn't brilliant in his prime.
ReplyDeleteIndeed. Holtby looks a good prospect and has good resale value. He can already speak the language too which will aid his settling in.
ReplyDeleteWe should just go to Schalke with £15mil and say 'Give us Holtby and Huntelaar, please, mein brüder'.
he had brilliant performances last year...
ReplyDeletewe should go with 10 for huntelaar only... if we dont(as we probably wont) get llorrente.
ReplyDeleteokay so he is cheap so fucking what? He is coming into compete in an already crowded midfield. How many actual midfielders does Liverpool need will to secure a top four finish? Use your head man he is not a priority right now we got Suso who just signed an improved contract.
ReplyDeleteLet's hope that we don't have to rely on resale value in the future, as it would be really nice if we could find other ways to earn money instead of selling our better players.
ReplyDelete15m is a bit steep for two players whose contracts run out in the summer.
His contract runs out in the summer, so 10m is too much to be honest.
ReplyDeleteI really can't see how our midfield is crowded. Sahin will probably be back in Spain in the summer, Suso and Sterling are kids and should be protected and not being forced to play 50 to 60 games a season. We don't only compete in the league, you know. Maybe you should use your head before posting insults.
ReplyDeletethat is great news, did not know... thanks...
ReplyDelete