With Daniel Sturridge now at Anfield, and Fabio Borini back in training, Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers will soon have the luxury of being able to choose from three bona fide strikers. Despite this, the club could arguably benefit from having another forward in the first team squad, and reports today suggest that the Reds have identified Rayo Vallecano striker Leo Baptistão as a possible option.
According to the Daily Mail, Liverpool scouts were in Spain on Monday night to watch the 20-year Brazilian in action during Vallecano's 3-1 victory over Getafe. The report states:
"[Baptistão]didn’t manage to get on the scoresheet in front his admirers, but did set up the third and final goal in the 3-1 win, capping an impressive all round display".
Baptistão - who replaced Michu at Vallecano - has hit the ground running at the Campo de Fútbol de Vallecas, and so far, he's grabbed six goals six assists in sixteen starts for the La Liga side.
€6m-rated Baptistão began his career at Associação Atlética Portuguesa in Brazil, where he played alongside coveted South American star Neymar. Rayo Vallecano snapped him up at the age of 16, and he went straight into the club's youth system.
The youngster is now a regular for the Spanish club, and in an interview with AS recently, he admitted to being surprised at featuring so much for the team. He told AS:
“I honestly did not expect to play as much. Actually, I didn’t think I would debut as soon as I have either, but I have come into Paco Jemez’ plans as early as the second game and played as part of that initial team. I still have to keep working though, to continue to get the support from the Coach".
Speaking to reporters after a recent victory over Real Mallorca, Rayo Vallecano boss Paco Jemez had some glowing words of praise for the budding star. He enthused:
“Leo is showing the category of player that he is. Not only is he on a roll but he’s enjoying himself and inspiring us. He’s a great player with a good future and we are here to help. It’s all happened for him at once, but he’s a smart guy.”
It would be great to have a real Brazilian in the team for once (i.e. an exciting attacking player). After the fake Brazilians who've come to Anfield, it would be a refreshing change ;-)
Baptistão in action as a teenager in Brazil:
Jaimie Kanwar
According to the Daily Mail, Liverpool scouts were in Spain on Monday night to watch the 20-year Brazilian in action during Vallecano's 3-1 victory over Getafe. The report states:
"[Baptistão]didn’t manage to get on the scoresheet in front his admirers, but did set up the third and final goal in the 3-1 win, capping an impressive all round display".
Baptistão - who replaced Michu at Vallecano - has hit the ground running at the Campo de Fútbol de Vallecas, and so far, he's grabbed six goals six assists in sixteen starts for the La Liga side.
€6m-rated Baptistão began his career at Associação Atlética Portuguesa in Brazil, where he played alongside coveted South American star Neymar. Rayo Vallecano snapped him up at the age of 16, and he went straight into the club's youth system.
The youngster is now a regular for the Spanish club, and in an interview with AS recently, he admitted to being surprised at featuring so much for the team. He told AS:
“I honestly did not expect to play as much. Actually, I didn’t think I would debut as soon as I have either, but I have come into Paco Jemez’ plans as early as the second game and played as part of that initial team. I still have to keep working though, to continue to get the support from the Coach".
Speaking to reporters after a recent victory over Real Mallorca, Rayo Vallecano boss Paco Jemez had some glowing words of praise for the budding star. He enthused:
“Leo is showing the category of player that he is. Not only is he on a roll but he’s enjoying himself and inspiring us. He’s a great player with a good future and we are here to help. It’s all happened for him at once, but he’s a smart guy.”
It would be great to have a real Brazilian in the team for once (i.e. an exciting attacking player). After the fake Brazilians who've come to Anfield, it would be a refreshing change ;-)
Baptistão in action as a teenager in Brazil:
Jaimie Kanwar
get him quick as the mancs are sniffing around too. i have a goo feeling about him, wherever he goes i think he'll o a 'michu'
ReplyDeleteAnd by fake you mean Lucas :) Classy
ReplyDeleteIt's a joke. And by 'fake' I mean a non-attacking Brazilian (since their national team is predominantly associated with exciting attacking football)
ReplyDeleteQuality brazilian player, would be good addition to the squad. Don't no of the fake one's though?!!!
ReplyDeleteI dont know anything about him, but at least that price is cheap. That is the sort of deals you want sometimes. Don`t cost much but could be great, and if they don`t work, chances are you wont lose much, maybe 2mil loss tops. Where is the risk? Seems a better idea than signings of 15mil plus
ReplyDeleteNever heard of him. The first video shows amazing skill on the ball and a good vision and team play.
ReplyDeleteSecond video is just a lucky 5 yard goal.
For the price mentioned I say he's worth the gamble, but I hope people with more knowledge on the guy than me will take the decisions ;)
Could've been Aurelio or Doni! :)
ReplyDeleteCan the boy get a work permit in England? It's never too wrong to get a good Brazilian player in the team, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteHe's already been signed by Atletico Madrid. for next season for 6m. Do you even research this stuff or are you having a laugh?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.abc.es/deportes/futbol/20130102/abci-baptistao-atletico-201301021630.html
Spurs are looking to beef with new strike options in Negredo and Damaio to replace Ade who is in the ANC. Here we are looking at 6 mil rated players.
ReplyDeleteRelax it's not football manager I'm sure they could get one :p
ReplyDeleteHere we go again moaning about the pricetage. See you in November mate when someone like Swansea has snapped him up and you're complaining we didn't sign him even though he was dirt cheap.
ReplyDeletewe already have enough players in that position though.Right now we need either a left back so that Enrique pushes forward or an attacking midfielder/winger.
ReplyDeleteI'm loving that everyone thinks 6 mil Euros is cheap. If we were to get him and he was an absolute disaster who would be the first to bring up Rogers wasting more money. Granted if he were to be a Super star he'd be considered a bargain but as with any signing there's always that level of risk. Inspirational or calamitous? Guess we will see if he is indeed a target we pursue.
ReplyDeleteTottenham are a real threat these days. They have a very good chairman who plays hard ball and they have brought some shrewd buys over the years. Fair play to them.
ReplyDeleteThis player is interesting but that's all. I think he will improve. Would not mind having him here.
PS Seems like Wesley Sneijer is being offered to clubs. Would love to see a player of his caliber playing for us. Just imagine him playing behind Suarez! But the £200K he is reportedly on his just ridiculous. I mean he is good but but not that amazing. His goalscoring for the RM and IM is okayish however he has many assists. Nevertheless if he can drop his wages I think we should go for him.
Lol, probably the most annoying thing about that game!
ReplyDeleteWhat is funny though, is that if we spent £15 million plus, and they didnt score loads, everyone would like "oh what a waste of money, why are we always spending loads on rubbish".
ReplyDeleteHaving said that, I would love to see Damiao at Liverpool.
I heard he is trying to get a move to England, I dont see why we shouldnt at least try and get him, I know its not likely, but there is no harm in trying.
ReplyDeleteI agree. His wages though.....£200K.....Way to much.
ReplyDeleteIt's true. If a player is a success then the money payed is a bargain, if not then a waste of money. Football ay!
ReplyDeleteFunny thing is...Balotelli cost £22M but people don't seem to bring up his price tag too much. Or £32M Shevchenko or £28M Veron...
Agreed. I always think buying a player is a gamble to an extent but one has to. Damiao is a good player and I would also like to see him in a Liverpool Shirt.
ReplyDeleteLOL! I've stopped playing the game around 2 months ago as it was eating up my time! Might have to try the classic version.
ReplyDeletePS get FMRTE if you want to get rid of work permits.
I havent got the latest one, but will probably be getting it at the end of the month. January Transfer window always gets me in the mood for it.
ReplyDeleteI wouldnt want to know how long I've spent playing that game....
His wages, his arrogance, his dawg of a wife. Best stay away from that can of worms.
ReplyDeleteVitor Coutinho Flora...That is all. ;0P
ReplyDeleteAny one remember him? One of Rafas master signings
Oooooohhh! Sounds like a soap opera!
ReplyDeleteLOL! Would be so much easier if they released the "proper" version for the Ipad or any of the high end Android tablets.
ReplyDeleteHaha nah FMRTE ruins the fun. Anyways believe this I had to win away at city to win the league and we were 0-2 up and then DOWNING gets sent off and we lose 3-2. :(
ReplyDeleteLeandro Damiao please....He is more versatile can operate anywhere foward position.
ReplyDeleteSAHIN JUST SIGNED FOR DORTMOND,, OFFICIAL.
ReplyDelete