3 Jul 2012

"A deal is close" - Babbel provides update on £7m LFC target. Anfield bound?

Hoffenheim manager - and ex-Liverpool player - Markus Babbel has provided an update on the continuing Gylfi Sigurdsson transfer saga.

In a statement on Hoffenheim's official website today, Babbel - who played 60 out of 63 games during Liverpool's 2001 treble-winning season - said:

"Gylfi Sigurdsson is close to agreement with a Premier League club.

"It's all about the final details, and I am assuming that the transfer will be completed by the end of the week"


That's great, but which Premier League club?

Speaking to ESPN on Sunday, Steve Nicol claimed that Liverpool's pursuit of the 22 year old Icelander had come to an end:

"From what I know, the fee that was arranged between Swansea and Hoffenheim went through the roof as soon as Liverpool were mentioned.

"Also, the wages that he [Sigurdsson] wanted totally changed as well, and Liverpool said 'you know what, we're okay'"


If it really is about money they I think it's probable that Sigurdsson will sign for Spurs. In any event, it's no coincidence that negotiations are still ongoing - Andre Villas Boas has only just been confirmed as Spurs' new manager, so he will want to discuss things with the player before any deal is signed.

One thing is for sure though: Liverpool fans would love to see £7m-rated Sigurdsson at Liverpool. In a recent survey on this site, 88% of the 7000 voters were in favour of midfielder coming to Anfield.

EDIT: 4 July 2012 - Sigurdsson has signed for Spurs.

Jaimie Kanwar


65 comments:

  1. Do one Sigurdsson you greedy mug!!!!

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  2. Dont be silly Liverpool fans, you guys have spent over 100 million in 18 months in the same time frame we have spent 5 million, our top earner is on 65k you guys pay Gerrard almost double that.

    If it was about money he would have gone Liverpool, you guys have got to put yourself as neutrals to understand this situation we currently have a better squad, nobody will doubt that, we both have young managers who have had success (Swansea and Porto) and 2 bad experiences (Reading and Chelsea), and we have finished above you for the last 3 years....

    He wants to come because he wants to play with better players FACT 

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  3. Damn I thought this was a new story and Liverpool where close to signing him, but it's just the story I read a few days ago.. He's definitely talking about Spurs..

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  4. Dodged a bullet6:51 pm, July 03, 2012

     Liverpool aren't really missing out on much, neither would Spurs if he joined Liverpool .. He's average at best and has a lot of similarities with Adam..

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  5. is aqualani not a better and more experienced player than this guy? plus saving cash for other deals. do we need Mr guilfy name your price.

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  6. I have watched Adam and I have watch Sigurdsson let me tell you they are completely different players Adam is a deep lying play maker in the Alonso mold (Although hes no where near as good) Sigurdsson is a VDVaart attacking midfielder.

    He terrorized us when Swansea came to WHL, only needs a sniff and is dangerous with both feet.

    I agree he probably will only be used in rotation at Spurs due to VDVaart but he would have been perfect for you guys, you need someone who gets shots away and has impeccable timing into the box, Glyfi does exactly this, it was the only thing you was missing last year NO GOALS FROM MIDFIELD

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  7. Aquilani is Italian, the tempo is too fast for him, hes had his chances but hasn't fit into the squad or the style of play, Brendan likes 3 midfielders, a box to box, AQUILANI IS NOT, a ball winner AQUILANI IS NOT, and a goalscoring midfielder AQUILANI IS NOT.  He is a luxury laid back ball player and your only successful as one of those if you are Xavi or Pirlo.

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  8. YOU FORGET WE ARE A WORLD WIDE CLUB WITH OVER 10,000000 FANS WE HAVE WON MORE TROPHIES THAN YOU WILL EVER WIN 3 YEARS AND NO TROPHY HA WHO ARE YOU KIDDING

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  9. Can't blame him, would you turn down an extra 15/20 k a week ?
    London is a nicer city than L4, more cash, a better team etc, its hardly surprising. get used to the new wage structure(just like arsenals) and get used to seeing cheap/bargain players brought in generally, with the odd big name signing.
    just because he played under BR before, it doesn't mean shit. he wants whats best for him, and spurs have a superior squad and were much better than us last season.

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  10. Gerrard is paid double because he is a world class footballer. Or else he will not be in the 23 players chosen by the UEFA panel.  Sig wants to come?? And you know this How?? please enlighten us. probably he spoke to you in person?? If we Liverpool fans are silly you are ignorant and have no insight about the game. 

    How can you compare Gerrard with Sig.?

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  11. Gerrout Siggy ya damn dehhty bastid ya!

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  12. we havent spent 100 mill we got 60 mill of that in and you havent spent 5 mil,how much did you pay adebayor,pinnear cost you more than 5 mill stop dreaming,are you such a better side without modric and van der vart and avb is rubbish.

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  13. jaymeariel, i like how you talk like you know everything. I think you know sh*t. Now go play FIFA

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  14. read elsewhere he'll sign for lfc on thursday.
    hope fe signs for someone,am sick of the speculation.

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  15. he has signed for spurs

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  16. get your head out of your behind,  Xavi and Pirlo are sublime but there are many others like Ozil, Xabi Alonso, Modric, Kaka to name a few. Aquilani has had half a season under Rafa what other chances has he had? Roy was the main culprit not giving him a chance when he started to show some promise at the end of Rafas reign after a season of injuries, IF Roy ahdn't sent him on loan then he could have saved Roys bacon. Instead we ended up signing Poulsen lol Since then Aquilani has lost heart and probably does want to remain in Italy but he is capable of being a class player, mar kmy words Aquilani, Montelivo Marchesio are the future of Italy's midfield once Pirlo retires.

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  17. if he really wanted to sign he would and could have weeks ago you would of thought, so he can go get #$%£ed.
    bigger and better players have signed at first oppurtunity.
    id rather have vdv if spurs need to make room

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  18. couldnt agree more speculation in abundance NO SIGNINGS

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  19. All this talk about the tempo being too fast for Aquilani, but there is no evidence to support the argument (or the one that the Premiership is too physical for him).

    When the guy was played, he was usually one of the best players on the pitch and dictated the pace of the game.

    I do agree with you that he is not a goalscoring midfield though, that much is clear. He gets stuck in more than ppl would expect though and tbh I don't remember Allen or Britton being particularly physical, box to box, or goal threats for Swansea last year though...

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  20. Adrian chiles love child9:42 pm, July 03, 2012

    Constantly find myself returning to this website and reading utter bullshit from Uneducated fuck whits that seem to get their football knowledge from such credible sources as the Sun or even The Beno.. 

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  21. temper temper temper. This is supposed to be a healthy debate. There is no need to lose it here Blooddump. Siggurdson is an average player who was considered as surplus for Hoffenhiem in the first place. His loan being over they wanted to dump him off. It just happened that the player wanted more wages. It is my strong belief that there is a player whom Liverpool would make an exception about and pay a highly inflated fee for but that player was not Siggurdson. Someone pinch me because I must be dreaming , are we actually making a big deal over a player from Iceland? I said Iceland. I have seen their national team play I think that they are okay. I didn't think that they have produced a major super star since Eider Gudjohnsen.

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  22. Just shows u spurs ambitions siggy in modric out and van der fart out, on the up hahaha (fucking pants and always throw it away in the end)

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  23. ompletely agree,a good player like alonso or scholes for example set the tempo of a game.the myth that aquilani is some fragile piece of glass is unfounded,he hasn't had a proper chance.
    i'd rather have him than jay spearing and henderson in our starting 11.

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  24. lfc should have got him to agree to a deal once rodgers took over and said he wanted him.none of this shite of letting him talk to swansea to explain himself etc.we need to act more clinical.
    if we delay anymore we might aswell get rick parry and moores back.

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  25. I agree you have a better squad at the moment but in my opinion letting Harry go is a big mistake. I think he's done a fantastic job over the last couple of years and I really think the decision to sack him will come back and haunt you. Add losing Modric who i think is quality and releasing King and suddenly your first eleven doesn't look as strong. Your absolutely right about us lacking goals from midfield and surely Sigurdsson would improve us in that area but, should we be held to ransom from a player unproven at the very top. I heard he was asking for more money than what we're currently paying Suarez. Your right about us paying top wages but we have been stung a few times recently with the likes of Cole and Aqualani, and now we can't move them on because they aren't willing to take massive wage cuts. I think our policy recently has been to pay lower wages and if they perform in the first year give them a pay rise. Meireles being an example of this, he believed he deserved a pay rise for his performances but the club didn't and so he was moved on. If we miss out on Sigurdsson it will be a shame but not the end of the world.

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  26. As a Liverpool fan the mere fact that I'm even entertaining this debate makes me laugh - and that's what I've needed a laugh after the season we've had but even after finishing in our lowest league position in recent history and employing our third manager in 2 years we still managed to end up at wembley twice and win a cup what have Spurs done - bitched!  bitch! bitch! bitch! This - that - the other! When was the last time Spurs won the league and boy that must be harsh coming from a Liverpool fan - Spurs is for the tourists - well meaning charities and lobbyists for legacies in leyton. 

    No more please it hurts....

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  27. No on same wave joker

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  28. Sigurdsson destination not certain, here's a tweet from Liverpool fan, Irish journalist who is quite reliable.


    John Fogarty @JohnFogartyIrl 10h
    Spurs have given Sigurdsson deadline of noon tomorrow to sign or they're withdrawing. Should have signed Sunday but he's delayed it. #LFC

    Sigurdsson is well within his rights to force Liverpool to increase the wage offering by testing the market. Liverpool will meet him most of the way I feel and hope.

    He obviously wants a move to Liverpool and it's hard seeing us not make it happen. We need him to sign as he is familiar with BR's tactics. The more new first teamers with this knowledge, the quicker we will succeed.

    I also think we wil nick a few Swansea players. If other teams make offers and have bids accepted, then surely we can bid too.

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  29. No matter how good he is, if he chooses more money   then I say, so be it. Although he will add more to the Liverpool squad, he is not the type of player that makes or break a team. I do think that he will get more from joining Liverpool than Spurs because of the steep tradition and the enormous fan base world wide of the former - potentially making him a house hold name world wide and possibly more lucrative personal advertisement contracts.

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  30. ON the contrary, I think Aquilani would fit the way Brendan wants to play. Some of his passes are incisive but due to his problems over the years, his game is affected. In any case, he is already on our books, so we should give him another shot in the team, a chance that he never really had previously.

    With the way Brendan wants to play, tempo should not be a real issue because of his possession football and resting with the ball approach. 

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  31. We have won more trophies and cups than you ever will. FACT.

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  32. Ihmo, under a tactical point of view, We don't need Sigurdsoon. We've plenty of attacking midfielders on board (Gerro, Joe Cole, Aqua) so I can't see wht Rodgers is so determined to waste time in the icelandic midfielder as We're desperate to bring in a natural and talented right winger. Otherwise, it's difficult to understand Rodgers' insistence in signing a striker with Suarez and Carroll in the side. IHMO, The priorities should be in other areas. Maybe Rodgers is trying to overhaul the style: it's too soon for a huge step like that. We need a right winger, a play maker, and a striker, only as a back up striker. But the right winger is the PRIORITY, IMHO, not Sigurdsoon. I'm feeling concerned over the attitude of Rodgers.

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  33. The clowns on this site that keep saying to screw him if its about the money are clueless hypocrits.. if any of you clowns were to get a job offer for DOUBLE the money you would ALL run for it and would screw your current employer over in a  heartbeat.. stop being mindless lemmings and think..

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  34. It's human nature...

    Bit disappointed in Markus Babbel, though. As an ex-Red you would have thought he could maybe have advised the player on what a good club LFC is? Maybe i'm a bit too naiive.

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  35. Gooonergetya1238:54 am, July 04, 2012

    He's after the cash simple as , Spurs didnt even have a manager when they went for him!!! Greed rules for Gylfi!!! Expensive bench player!!!

    Oh , you wont finish above us this year and hope you enjoyed your 3 years in the sun as its coming to an end!!!! Should NEVER have sacked Arry!!!! FACT

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  36. Cole is even back . The manager is likely to add to the squad too. No thanks Gylfi , you chase the money to be honest you really SHOULD be a Swansea player this season. Mercenary!!!!!

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  37. But surely he would like to win things, the last time spurs team went to wembley the coach was held up by DICK TURPIN.

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  38. No great loss. We need players that want to play for Liverpool.
    Id rather have Adam johnson anyway

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  39. you have over-performed because you had a great manager who has now left. one of those seasons, you finished above because we let you win at anfield to avoid the europa league, one we were too busy with cup finals, and one you finished above us on merit. but the glory (well no glory, but improved) days at spurs are about to hit the buffers. i remember spurs celebrating playing well and losing, to inter, which tells you everything !

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  40. yes, they pay bale the earth to stop him joining a big club

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  41. Aquaman was that bad that Pirlo left Milan to get a game. Aqua is a truly great midfield player, undfortunately beset with injury problems, but a better passer of the ball than anyone at the club

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  42. spot-on comment

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  43. your presumptions are ridiculous, just one biased opinion

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  44. not signed for anybody yet.  spurs agreed a fee with hoffenheim. thats all. potentially any club can match the fee so ...   wait and see ....

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  45. am sure he did ....

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  46. I think we have a fantastic creative midfielder already in Alberto Aquilani, if given the chance, and for Aquaman to show LFC, and we the supporters, that he wants to try and prove himself a LFC player, then i dont care if Gylfi turns his back on LFC. I totally agree Chrisflyer, Adam Johnson would be a brilliant addition to our team, this would be a great piece of work, if Brenden Rodgers could bring him to Anfield. And maybe Demba Ba i shudder to think what damage we could do to all our rivals with these three players, we could have one of the best offensive teams around? Suarez, Demba, Carroll, (Mid) Gerrard, Aqua, Lucas,A Johnson, (Back three)G Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, and Pepe in goal? To me this would be a frightening opposition for any team to come across. Anfield would become once again, the most feared place to come to in the Premeire League. Come on Brenden do us proud. Y.N.W.A.

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  47. Most of we LFC fans used to say that to Man U fans ! --- "come back when you have 18 titles"! but who had the last laugh at that ???
    Incidentally --- Spurs were the first club to win the league title / FA cup double !
    People need to remember that every club in the league need eachother otherwise there is'n't a league !

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  48. He's signed for the yid army so do one you murdering cunts,juve juve

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  49. cheikhabdou gaye1:56 pm, July 04, 2012

    lfc doesnt need him we hav to give our player a second chance and they got to keep them and aqua will be amazin

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  50. Spurs are only superior in 2 areas and one of those is off!!!! Bale and Modric. Gylfi - one season Mercenary!!!!!!

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  51. gotta love mediocre players having unrealistic wage demands simply b/c a club like Liverpool start showing intreset in them. Transfer fee's make sense since the highest bidder gets the players contract, but for a player to increase his wage demands after a half season in the league is outright idiotic. Good ridiance to him, theres better players Liverpool can focus on rather than this twit. YNWA!!!!!

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  52. Michael Meredith3:48 pm, July 04, 2012

    you won't get him either

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  53. Ok who says Liverpool were in for him anyway. Lets think again he's gone to you for CL oh no ur in the same cup as us. Never tell me spurs are better prospect than liverpool mate u have one 1 cup in 30 odd years get a grip. 

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  54. We do, however, need a GOALSCORING midfielder, which is exactly what Sigurdsson is. Can't honestly see many goals coming from Gerrard, Cole, Aquilani or Lucas. Henderson might lose some of his fear and get in the box, but the only player we have of that ilk is Maxi and I can't see him playing much.

    We may very well rue this as one that got away. It also says a lot that he worked with Rodgers but chose Spurs anyway. Add to that the fact that 'everyone' in Scandinavia and the Nordic countries allegedly supports LFC anyway, and it makes you wonder exactly how they sold the club to him - "Eeeerm. We got a nice new kit. And we'll either be staying here or playing on that sloping bit of grass and carpark over there. And last year a Cup wasn't good enough, but this year we're prepared to cut Bren some slack, so you can all underperform again if you like......"

    Bit down tonight, in case nobody has noticed.

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  55. Come on Brendan. Do something. Anything.

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  56. I can understand why you're down, Jim. Sigurdsson would've been a decent signing, but for some strange reason, I feel optimistic, despite this minor setback. Sigurdsson scored some goals for Swansea but he was not integral to the way they play like, for instance, Joe Allen and Leon Britton. Plus, he basically was only there for 5 months, and Swansea were playing great football for ages before he arrived.

    In his interview on Monday, Rodgers said that he never discusses the specifics of transfer activity in public if he can avoid it, and noted that this was the LFC way of doing things, which is good to hear.

    There are still two months to go before the transfer window closes; plenty of time to sign the right players. Rodgers is the man, I can feel it.

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  57. Blimey, Jay.

    I used to post stuff like that last season and You, Gabweb and OriginalChan just ripped the piss out of me saying I was an apologist or deluded.

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  58. Time for some porn, methinks.....


    ;)

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  59. Spurs fans on here keep going on about facts, facts are if he was as brilliant a player as ur all now making him out to be (funnily enough, only since you signed him) then he'd have had a host of clubs after his signature, but he didn't. Hoffenheim had loaned him out already, yeah that massive club full of world class talented players that were keeping sig from getting a game, not! He'd been at Swansea half a year! The entire team over performed last season which has a lot more to do with how the team were managed than one loan player ever could have. Rodgers was used to the purse constraints of Swansea, sig was to be their most expensive signing at 6m. Hardly icelands answer to messi at that price is he, I really wouldn't get excited about a hoffenheim flop who had a half decent season at Swansea, if that's your level then your in for a short sharp shock this season, Harry although a mouth was the best manager for you, avb will do a Chelsea, expect to be trying to prise moyes away from everton by Xmas to save relegation, there are only two big clubs in london, chelski and arsenal, and arsenal are on the slide. Best of luck, ur really gonna need it.

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  60. If you're going to be an apologist, back the right horse ;-) I always support every new manager, but there comes a time when the writing is on the wall and cannot be denied, and last season was KD's downfall.

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  61. hahaha really couldn't have said it better myself! 100% agree that Sig is getting more praise than he deserves. The fact that he thinks Tottenham of all London clubs will be the one on the rise is more than a knee slapper and goes to show he's really in it for the wages. I think Liverpool made a wise decision staying away from this flop bundesliga player. Liverpool 1-0 Tottenham. Have fun trying to get any money back for him. YNWA!!!!!

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  62. Sachinsamoburthia1:36 pm, July 05, 2012

    we must give a chance to the midfield like joe cole,aquilani.They played very well in loan.Moreover,spearing was not good in that area.he had lost a lot of ball in key match.I think ,we must buy two swinger playerslike adam johnson .TO RESEARCH A CREATIVE MIDFIELDER LIKE ALONSO.THKS

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  63. You lost it when you praised Adam!! Check please!

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