In November, Halmstads BK striker Valmir Berisha confirmed that several top-flight clubs - including Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur - had put in offers to sign him, and with the January transfer window imminent, it appears that the Reds are now ahead of both Manchester United and Arsenal in the race to sign the young Swedish striker.
According to The Mirror today:
"Liverpool are close to an agreement with rising young Swedish star Valmir Berisha.
"Brendan Rodgers has tracked the striker for months. Talks are now ongoing with his club"
Speaking to Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet last week, the 17-year old striker claimed:
"I have got offers from from England, Italy, Spain, Germany, Holland and Russia. The clubs who have shown the biggest interest are Ajax, Milan, Liverpool, Sunderland, Tottenham and Celtic. They have all offered me a contract .
Earlier this week, Berisha also claimed that he'd rejected Manchester United and Arsenal. He told reporters:
“The most important is the football education, I believe England would be the best option. I have rejected clubs like Arsenal and Manchester United, who have invited me for trials"
Liverpool have been linked with Berisha - described as being 'like Robin Van Persie and Zlatan Ibrahimovic' - several times over the last couple of months, and his comments confirm claims from his Agent, Anders Karlsson, who told reporters recently:
"I can say that there are teams from England, Germany, Holland, Spain, Portugal and Italy. The interest is high from England, as well as the power of the pound."
Berisha grabbed seven goals in seven games for Sweden in the recent U17 World Cup (won by Nigeria), and when asked about his expectations for his next club, he explained:
"I want to join a club who need a striker. Then I can exploit that to get playing time. I don't think I will join a very big club. My agent has give me suggestions, but he lets me decide."
The Reds arguably need striker back-up, but realistically, even with Daniel Sturridge injured, there's very little chances of an untested 17-year old striker with zero experience getting regular playing time at Anfield. However, according to The Mirror:
"Rodgers has been impressed enough to offer [Berisha] the chance of a swift progression into his first team squad".
Rodgers probably made the same promises to Tiago Ilori - who is three years older than Berisha - and he's nowhere near the first team right now.
Before making a decision, Berisha should examine the fortunes of teenage strikers at Anfield over the last 25 years. In that time period, only Michael Owen and Robbie Fowler have progressed through the academy to become regular starters for LFC.
For me, Berisha would be foolish to move to Anfield at this stage of his career.
Author: Jaimie K
According to The Mirror today:
"Liverpool are close to an agreement with rising young Swedish star Valmir Berisha.
"Brendan Rodgers has tracked the striker for months. Talks are now ongoing with his club"
Speaking to Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet last week, the 17-year old striker claimed:
"I have got offers from from England, Italy, Spain, Germany, Holland and Russia. The clubs who have shown the biggest interest are Ajax, Milan, Liverpool, Sunderland, Tottenham and Celtic. They have all offered me a contract .
Earlier this week, Berisha also claimed that he'd rejected Manchester United and Arsenal. He told reporters:
“The most important is the football education, I believe England would be the best option. I have rejected clubs like Arsenal and Manchester United, who have invited me for trials"
Liverpool have been linked with Berisha - described as being 'like Robin Van Persie and Zlatan Ibrahimovic' - several times over the last couple of months, and his comments confirm claims from his Agent, Anders Karlsson, who told reporters recently:
"I can say that there are teams from England, Germany, Holland, Spain, Portugal and Italy. The interest is high from England, as well as the power of the pound."
Berisha grabbed seven goals in seven games for Sweden in the recent U17 World Cup (won by Nigeria), and when asked about his expectations for his next club, he explained:
"I want to join a club who need a striker. Then I can exploit that to get playing time. I don't think I will join a very big club. My agent has give me suggestions, but he lets me decide."
The Reds arguably need striker back-up, but realistically, even with Daniel Sturridge injured, there's very little chances of an untested 17-year old striker with zero experience getting regular playing time at Anfield. However, according to The Mirror:
"Rodgers has been impressed enough to offer [Berisha] the chance of a swift progression into his first team squad".
Rodgers probably made the same promises to Tiago Ilori - who is three years older than Berisha - and he's nowhere near the first team right now.
Before making a decision, Berisha should examine the fortunes of teenage strikers at Anfield over the last 25 years. In that time period, only Michael Owen and Robbie Fowler have progressed through the academy to become regular starters for LFC.
For me, Berisha would be foolish to move to Anfield at this stage of his career.
Author: Jaimie K
Not another potential signing. R.I.P. Nelson , always remember what Barnesey said after meeting the great man & how he has a pic with him on his wall at home .
ReplyDeleteI now believe BR isn't that great of a manager due to the squad ill decisions he has been making recently.
ReplyDeleteHe was a great man and one of us!. YNWA Nelson
ReplyDeleteI still remember the joke that when Nelson Mandela was released from prison, the first thing he'd said was "Has Man U won the league yet?" R.I.P.
ReplyDeleteOnly a woman could fail to feel man-love for Luis Suarez.
ReplyDeleteHe likes to talk, doesn't he? A dozen clubs from all the major countries interested in signing him? And he's rejected them all? Including Arsenal and ManUtd? Yeah, sure ...
ReplyDeleteWill probably end up at as a squad player at Heerenveen. But on a decent salary.
I agree with most of your article, Jaime but bring on Aspas for who? Are you suggesting to take Suarez OFF in the 60th min??? Suarez was making history and (IMO), if I was in Rogers' shoes at THAT moment, I would've been very eager to see what he produces next, during those 90+ mins. Argue as you will but I see similar circumstances to Maradona in USA 94. Yes, FIFA were correct to send him home but they also deprived the WORLD of seeing the best player in the world displaying his talents on the world's stage. But, regarding the Norwich match, there is no way that I would've taken Suarez off. On pure amazement, it wouldnt have even crossed my mind. I am on Roger's side here.
ReplyDeleteHonestly Jaime, regarding 'the Countinho's 1 goal and one assist', is that all you SEE? Or do you actually see how influential and effective he is when he is on the field? At this moment, do you honestly feel that he is only worth '1 goal and one assist's to LFC???? Sometimes I feel that your articles do NOT tell the whole story. Credit where credit is due please!!!
ReplyDeleteJust for info hes not swedish, hes albanian from Kosovo.. But with a swedish passport
ReplyDeleteI'd like to see us sign Berbatov. We've got more pressing needs that can be satisfied by a kid with potential. Berbatov is the finished, experienced, classy article, unhappy at Fulham but wants to stay in the Prem. Sturridge is injured (& injury prone) Suarez may go at the end of the season & there's not much of proven alternatives in the squad. Berbatov would give great cover & be a fantastic squad player for us. I hope BR & FSG can see his worth despite him not fitting the profile & get him in.
ReplyDeleteWhy would we want a Manc reject
ReplyDeleteBecause he'd be good cover for SAS.
ReplyDeleteMy guess would be that Aspas doesn't play because BR wants to win matches and Aspas is crap. I agree though that that was plain to see for all and he shouldn't have been bought in the first place. BR's results in the transfer market are ridiculously bad. How did Alberto and Allen do by the way?
ReplyDelete