Liverpool are reportedly still interested in signing Wigan midfielder James McCarthy, and may face competition from Manchester United this summer if Reds boss Brendan Rodgers decides to make a move for the 22-year old midfielder.
According to reports today, Liverpool are still monitoring McCarthy has been regularly been linked with a move to to Anfield over the last five years.
Liverpool tried to sign McCarthy three times in the past:
* In 2007, the BBC reported that McCarthy rejected an offer from Rafa Benitez. Explaining the youngster's decision, his Agent, Bill McMurdo explained:
"They [LFC] agreed to meet Hamilton's asking price, but he has decided that he wants to stay for another year. I can't fault his judgement. He has only just left school and is from a close family"
* In 2010, McCarthy chose Wigan over the Reds, a decision that pleased Roberto Martinez, who enthused:
"I have always been a big admirer of James, and I was delighted when he made that rather strange decision not to go to a top, top club like Liverpool. I think that decision is being proved right now.”
* Liverpool entered talks to sign McCarthy in 2011, and a source close to the talks said:
"It [the transfer deal] is 90 per cent done, all sides now seem to accept it is going to happen and it's a matter of everyone trying to get the best deal"
Speculation over the €10m-rated midfielder arose again during the January 2013 transfer window, and when asked recently about interest from Liverpool and Arsenal, Wigan boss Roberto Martinez conceded that when the time comes, 'we'll never stop him from leaving'.
In a recent interview with the Daily Mail former Wigan star Kevin confirmed that the Reds are still following the 22-year old. He said:
"His [McCarthy's] excellent performances at the heart of Wigan’s midfield, and comfortable step-up to international football, have caught the attention of Manchester United, Arsenal, Everton and Liverpool for the last two windows".
McCarthy has struggled to become a regular for the Republic of Ireland under Giovanni Trapattoni, and in March, the Italian offered the following assessment of the midfielder's strengths and weaknesses:
"James improves every game, but I still feel he can do more. Physically he is perfect, technically also. He can be a little bit shy and I have said this to him. He needs to command the play, but we saw that he can be a very important player for us"
If McCarthy came to Liverpool, he'd be competing against Steven Gerrard for a place in the team, so he'd definitely have to drop the shyness to which Trapattoni refers.
Worth a bid in the summer?
Jaimie Kanwar
NOTE: Please stick to the Comment Policy (Click to read)
According to reports today, Liverpool are still monitoring McCarthy has been regularly been linked with a move to to Anfield over the last five years.
Liverpool tried to sign McCarthy three times in the past:
* In 2007, the BBC reported that McCarthy rejected an offer from Rafa Benitez. Explaining the youngster's decision, his Agent, Bill McMurdo explained:
"They [LFC] agreed to meet Hamilton's asking price, but he has decided that he wants to stay for another year. I can't fault his judgement. He has only just left school and is from a close family"
* In 2010, McCarthy chose Wigan over the Reds, a decision that pleased Roberto Martinez, who enthused:
"I have always been a big admirer of James, and I was delighted when he made that rather strange decision not to go to a top, top club like Liverpool. I think that decision is being proved right now.”
* Liverpool entered talks to sign McCarthy in 2011, and a source close to the talks said:
"It [the transfer deal] is 90 per cent done, all sides now seem to accept it is going to happen and it's a matter of everyone trying to get the best deal"
Speculation over the €10m-rated midfielder arose again during the January 2013 transfer window, and when asked recently about interest from Liverpool and Arsenal, Wigan boss Roberto Martinez conceded that when the time comes, 'we'll never stop him from leaving'.
In a recent interview with the Daily Mail former Wigan star Kevin confirmed that the Reds are still following the 22-year old. He said:
"His [McCarthy's] excellent performances at the heart of Wigan’s midfield, and comfortable step-up to international football, have caught the attention of Manchester United, Arsenal, Everton and Liverpool for the last two windows".
McCarthy has struggled to become a regular for the Republic of Ireland under Giovanni Trapattoni, and in March, the Italian offered the following assessment of the midfielder's strengths and weaknesses:
"James improves every game, but I still feel he can do more. Physically he is perfect, technically also. He can be a little bit shy and I have said this to him. He needs to command the play, but we saw that he can be a very important player for us"
If McCarthy came to Liverpool, he'd be competing against Steven Gerrard for a place in the team, so he'd definitely have to drop the shyness to which Trapattoni refers.
Worth a bid in the summer?
Jaimie Kanwar
NOTE: Please stick to the Comment Policy (Click to read)
