23 Apr 2015

Mega-Deal: Liverpool now free to sign 'incredible' £29m box-to-box playmaker who admitted he's likely to leave

Liverpool continue to be be linked with a summer move for Roma star Radja Nainggolan, and new reports today claim that the Reds are working on sealing a deal for the powerful midfielder.

According to The Mirror today:

* Liverpool have been given the 'all-clear' to sign Nainggolan.

* The Reds may have to pay £29m to seal the deal.

In February, reports claimed that Anfield scout Barry Hunter had brought Nainggolan 'to the attention' of Brendan Rodgers.

Soon after, The Telegraph claimed:

"Liverpool are monitoring Radja Nainggolan. Roma and Cagliari both co-own the 26-year-old, and the two clubs must come to an agreement over his ownership".

When asked earlier this month about his future, Nainggolan told reporters:

"Will I stay at Roma? At the moment there’s a 50 per cent chance. I’m not worried as there’s still time. Roma and Cagliari have to find an agreement. I’m 100 per cent focused on Roma"

Some info about Nainggolan nicknamed 'the Ninja' in Italy:

* Box-to-box midfielder who can play as a DM.
* 5 goals/8 assists in 56 apps for Roma.
* Goal/assist every 4.3 games.
* Rarely injured; only one (minor) injury in the last 5 years.
* 8 appearances for the Belgium national team.
* Current contract expires in 2018.

* Models his game on several top-class midfielders. In a recent interview, he explained: "I liked Gattuso's determination; Xavi's technical ability and Vidal's timing in the tackle. My team-mate Keita is spectacular as well"

* Is also a fan of Brazilian legend Ronaldinho: "As a youngster I played as an attacking midfielder and I watched a lot of Ronaldinho, who was a really decisive player back then"

* On his role in the Roma team: "You can't play football without self-confidence. I like my role because it allows me to do everything - defend, create and finish off moves".

Roma boss Rudi Garcia will be loathe to lose Nnaingolan, and in a recent interview, he outlined exactly what the midfielder brings to his team. He told reporters:

"Nainggolan knows how to do everything. He has technique, plays the long ball, can push forward and shoot for goal [and brings] balance to the team. He’s incredible"

With Steven Gerrard leaving, and Lucas/Allen increasingly injury prone, reinforcements are clearly needed in the middle of the field. Also, unlike some, I don't believe that Emre Can is the answer. So far, he's been distinctly underwhelming in midfield for Liverpool, and as the recent games have proven he rarely effects things in the middle of the field.

Is Nainggolan a viable option?

Author:


15 comments:

  1. I maybe wrong, but it seems to me that can is overwhelmed by the pace of play In midfield at the premier league. He has less time on the ball with a lot of movement. I certainly hope he adjusts to it. You can feel that he has the ability to dominate

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  2. I'd love to buy him if he played for any league other than Serie A. In the recent days our best player from there is Coutinho. I would like to see us buy Kovacic, similar player to him, and Inter players always work well for us.

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  3. Yes we do need a strong hard midfielder who is not afraid to get stuck in to break up attacks, Also another good player that should be cheap enough is Rudy G of Blackburn, Good in the air and on the floor something that R Sterling aint.

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  4. Well that's if B.R plays him in his true position like he was bought for.

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  5. Give can a decent run of games in the middle of the park and i think (hope) you'll end up eating your words

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  6. You forgot to mention that by the weekend Man U and Chelsea are now going to steal him from us ha ha. Seriously though - we must give the young under 21 lads a chance - Some of them could be superb = pointless spending wasting money on players who potentially are worse than what we have - lets give Rositer when he is fit and Jordan Williams a go - their young tough and eager

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  7. Yes, get him!

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  8. Do we need another box to box midfielder? We have Henderson & Can...playing 2 box to box midfielders without a holding midfielder doesn't work - England tried it with Gerrard & Lampard

    I think there is a pressing need for a specialist Defensive midfielder to challenge Lucas. This will allow either Hendo or Can to play alongside the DM with Coutinho creating in the 10 role

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  9. He's a cracking player but if he's going to cost £29m, that's ridiculous. He was attractive in the winter because with his part-ownership by Cagliari, it seemed he might be acquired for around £10m. For £29m we could have a crack at virtually any central midfielder in Europe.

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  10. 5 goals and 8 assists worth £30m?


    We need a specialist. We need REAL quality. Hendo will do the running, Can can be an enforcer. We need a real controller/ distributor to stop the opposition attacks before they get to their final pass, and transfer defence into attack.

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  11. Not so sure.........

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  12. The owners need to back B Rodgers or a new manager well this summer, with Net transfer spend of £70-£80M not £30M if we are seriously looking to compete year in year out for trophies with Arsenal,Chelsea, Man United and Man City.




    Even A Wenger has learned buying world class players brings you success, do you think it was coincidence last season he spent £42.5M on world class Ozil and won Fa Cup his first trophy for club in 9 years and this year he spent £36M on world class Sanchez and they are in FA Cup Final again this year.


    Bringing in World class players brings lift to squad and everyone around club, we have been linked with Carvalho, Pjanic, Nainggolan, Illaramendi and Schneiderlin.


    We do not have Centre midfield good enough to compete with Arsenal, Chelsea, Man City Or Man United now.


    And those teams all did well until Knock Outs of Champions League:


    We still have not replaced the Class and Quality Of Alonso and Mascherano in Centre Midfield since 2008 ( 7 Years On) With those two players in centre of park we could go to any ground in world and compete, dictate and dominate the centre of park.


    We can not do that now with likes Of J Allen, E Can, J Henderson or L Leiva.


    These Two CM'S should be brought to club as our new CM Partnership anchored by either Can, Coutinho, Henderson or Lallana just in front of them.


    1: M Schneiderlin Of Southampton or L Bender Of Bayer Leverkusen for £18-£25M


    2: Marquee Signing: World Class: S Gerrard's Natural Successor: T Alcantara Of Bayern Munich for £25-£35M


    Those two midfielders would be as good as the Matic and Fabregas Partnership, The Yaya and Fernandinho Partnership, The Busquets and Rakitic partnership and the Kroos and Modric partnership. And with those two midfielders fully fit, injury and suspension free we would compete with any side in world in Centre Midfield.

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  13. Nothing on Mephis Depay then ? gary ha ha

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  14. And how many games has Emre Can played in our midfield? Ridiculous to write off a player of his ability after playing limited minutes in midfield due to our flop defenders.

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  15. He's going to United, sadly.

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