5 May 2013

Official: €150m buyout-clause star wanted by Barnes 'will leave' soon. LFC bid...?

Real Madrid general manager Jose Angel Sanchez has confirmed that Gonzalo Higuain - a Liverpool target several times in the past - is definitely leaving the Bernabeau this summer. With the the Reds clearly in need of another experienced striker for next season, is the Argentinean goalscorer a viable option?

In an interview on Thursday, Sanchez admitted that Real need to sign at least two new strikers this summer, and confirmed that Higuain is now surplus to requirements at the Spanish club. He told french newspaper L'Equipe:

"In a great club like real, we believe we need two number nines of a high level. Higuain will leave, Benzema will stay and two others will come."

Liverpool were linked with a move for Higuain during the January 2012 transfer window, and at the time, Reds legends John Aldridge and John Barnes were massively in favour of the idea. Barnes told TalkSport:

"Liverpool need someone like Gonzalo Higuain. He’s not playing at Real Madrid, if you get the ball in the box he can score, he can play outside the box and he’s the kind of player that Liverpool should be going for".

In his column for the Liverpool Echo, Aldo added:

"I like the look of Gonzalo Higuain at Real Madrid. He doesn’t play an awful lot at the Bernabeu but he would be brilliant for us. But would he come? Would Real release him? And how much would be cost?"

Higuain has a stupendous €150m buyout clause in his contract (!), which Jose Mourinho confirmed in a press conference last year. He told reporters:

"Higuain will not be going to Italy, England or Germany unless someone pays the €150m. We want him to continue with us because he is one of the best strikers in the world"

Obviously, Real will get nowhere near that amount (!), and with the club actively looking to sell, the 25-year old will probably go for around £20m.

Should Liverpool be looking at Higuain, who has 25 goals/10 assists in 56 appearances this season (Club and country) ? He's definitely going to be available, but would the Argentinean fit into LFC's system, and would he want to come to Anfield?





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92 comments:

  1. i would rather we signed rhodes from blackburn and spend the money on eriksen,

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  2. I quite like him. 20m, or maybe a bit less, would be fine.

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  3. liverpool4life5658:39 pm, May 05, 2013

    I would sign him better finisher than Sturridge....

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  4. We probably should have done that, going for Rhodes, last season, instead of Borini. As Blackburn have paid 8m for him, he might just cost as much, or nearly as much as Higuain, should we try to sign Rhodes now. Many Liverpool supporters ask for proven talent and bigger names to be added to our squad and I know which of the two would rather fit those demands.

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  5. Better finisher? I suppose Sturridge's finishes against Newcastle don't mean anything, despite happening only a week ago? They were som pretty fine finishes as I recall (as were his other goals this season)

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  6. we would get rhodes for 10 to 12 milion max sell borini and hope sturridge comes good on todays performance i have my doubts

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  7. we need a cb first and foremost .........

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  8. liverpool4life5658:57 pm, May 05, 2013

    He a upgrade on Sturridge in my book.... The only thing wrong with Sturridge is he keeps hold of the ball to long he could shoot but he takes another touch :)

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  9. eriksen is not top target for that position apparently. he wants to goto a 'big' club and there are doubts about his consistency.
    forget him jas, he's a big fish in a small pond. believe me , the armenian lad is twice the player.

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  10. gonzalo for 20m? FSG dont spend big on one player anymore.
    the whole wesley S debacle was a PR stunt by FSG to make us look like big players. we are a mid table side with a mod table budget nowadays.

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  11. liverpool4life5659:13 pm, May 05, 2013

    FSG didn't even create the link, the newspaper did. We got a better player in coutinho anyway, also how do you know FSG wouldn't spend 20 million on him?:)

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  12. IF he's there for 20m, then there's certainly going to be other suitors.


    Question is can we compete with others. Not sure given lack of CL football this year.

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  13. jaimie no ones denying he can finish but some of his game awareness is awful

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  14. yes they did, he was invited to a game. see recent kuyt comments about this situation. FSG are playing the game. its the same as the 20m bid for mica richards under kenny. unlikely to be accepted by makes us look game.
    FSG are here to make money by building the brand and selling us on.

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  15. and today showed the other side of DS. never passing when the better option was on.

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  16. If he gets 20 goals a season (and some assists), who cares? Why does this matter? Sturridge has already done the business overall since arriving, and his goals per minute ratio is superior to Suarez since January. The 'selfish' myth is just a stick to beat him with. Suarez is equally selfish, but he scores regularly, so again, who cares?

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  17. if DS was a top player, spurs, arse, manure etc would have been in for him. while he's a good squad player, imo he is not and never will be world class.

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  18. liverpool4life5659:28 pm, May 05, 2013

    Kuyt even said we was no where near signing him, plus good thing we didn't sign him he a money grabber. FSG put money in the pot it's up to our transfer team and ayre to do the deals. 20 million for Richards is a rip off....

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  19. you have hit the nail on the head no top club wanted him so we got him useless today one good game 2 bad ones

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  20. With respect, that reasoning has no real merit. Plenty of good players over the last 20 years were not pursued by United et al. Does that mean they're not 'top' players? United, Arsenal etc didn't bid for Xabi Alonso in 2004; does that mean he's not a 'top player'?

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  21. That description applies to many players, not just Sturridge. Players have good games and bad - why don't you look at the bigger picture (i.e. Sturridge's impact since arriving 4 months ago) instead of writing him off whenever he doesn't score?

    11 goals/assists in 14 games. Scores/creates a goal every 81 minutes. There's nothing to complain about.

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  22. Sturridge is only 23 has come to us not fully fit and low on confidence and has had an immediate impact up front for us, why do the likes of you constantly whinge about everything, so what if he had a bad game everyone does now and again,No top club wanted Coutinho either I guess he’s no good either

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  23. Couldnt agree more. I think one problem these days is people are expecting the strikers to score every single game. This just doesn`t happen anywhere. Sturridge can score in four games in a row, then not in one and people are on his back.


    The problem for me isn`t Sturridge or Suarez as they both score loads. Its that the rest of the team doesn`t get on the score sheet enough.

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  24. Disagree, theres no logic to that point as loads of top players went to clubs without other top teams going for them. This season Michu went to Swansea. It could be said to be true we only got him cause no other top club wanted him, but it doesn`t mean he is not a top player. Masch went to west ham, So did Tevez and look at them now. You could name hundreds of top payers who went to lesser ranked clubs. I am amazed anyone can have a problem with Sturridge. I doubt there is another striker in the league who has as good a goals to mins ratio. If there is its prob only RVP.

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  25. Rhodes is a great little player. He has proved he can step up a level and still bang them in.

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  26. I'd prefer to have Gomez up front. Someone who can just bang in the goals for us!

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  27. WOW JC! Just because he has a couple of games that he did not score and you say he will never be world class. That's quiet amazing frankly! Then RVP is not considered a world class player and he plays for Man U! So many PS3 managers these days!

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  28. I'd do a 1 on 1 swap, Carroll for Benteke!

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  29. No top Club wanted Coutinho, Benteke, Michu, etc etc I rest my case

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  30. He'll go to Spurs most likely.

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  31. We have Andy Carroll to use in a swap deal for a decent striker, Benteke why not???

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  32. He might be able to do that. yes. Blackburn probably would like to make a handsome profit, though. Guess he won't come cheap.

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  33. My guess would be that those folks running and/or in charge of Blackburn would have a bit more business acumen than that. They've paid 8m for him less than a year ago. I can't see them only asking for "10 to 12 million max".

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  34. your right, that point in itself does not make DS a bad player. However, it does show that many people have reservations about him...and the reasons for that are fairly clear.
    Its funny how you champion an average player like DS yet want to see the back of Luis.
    While the reasons vary, there are not too many morally upstanding people in the world.
    What about all the roastings, infidelity, fights(steve g), drunk driving, drugs etc etc etc. so many players do such things.
    If we turned on everyone who ever did anything wrong or attacked people for whatever reason, we'd have no friends..anywhere.

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  35. I think I agree with you. Although we should have gotten Rhodes last season. I have my doubts over whether or not we could get him for between 10-15m though. Young proven goal scorer who they signed for 8m last year...

    If we can secure him for around that price I think he would be a good buy. Eriksen also I agree with.

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  36. blackburn are in need of cash i think the price mentioned would be enough

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  37. like ive said before benteke would be great but i think villa will want 20 plus

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  38. just my opinion and i think he will ultimatly fail at anfield that is if we want to push on and challenge at the top again

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  39. listen to yourself, kannwaar ya prickk, you and jason carr are two fuccking asssholes

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  40. its an opinion and mine is that he,s not good enough i admit its early days and hopefully he will prove me wrong but i just do not see it in the long run

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  41. jason carr is a pedo

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  42. internet warrior hiding away you sad bastard

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  43. would rather be a fuccking asshole with jaimie that be anything like you ,your just sad,and a coward who hides behind the internet

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  44. imo opinion sell borini 7million buy rhodes 12max 25 for erikeson thats a 30 million outlay if fsg want to give rodgers more fine that would be great if not sell to buy

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  45. oh yes i forgot we had to beat them off lol if southampton are a threat then we really are in deep shit

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  46. jaimie i agree that utd did not persue many good players but as a rule it used to be if lfc were in for a player the other big clubs would soon start showing interest,so does that mean were not after the top players (or seemingly top players anymore)

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  47. lol rather be an asshole that a hiding internet coward

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  48. u british are fucking u just can't see how bad rhodes is he is a seria B player and gonzalo is top class thats why i think u dont know anything about football

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  49. fuck rhodes is he in ur clan thats why u r backing him here this is an internernational club not brithish

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  50. Two things-

    Wages and potential for medals...

    Higuain will get better offers.

    Non-starter.

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  51. You are saying sturridge is selfish than Higuain?????? I know sturridge is sometimes selfish but higuain is even more selfish. I would rather go for Wifried Bony than Higuain.He(Higuain) is like 24/7 offside and does not finish one on one chances enough.

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  52. Two top clubs sold Sturridge on. He couldn't even keep the new Torres out of the first 11. What does THAT tell you?
    By the way, re: Southampton - Gaston Ramirez.

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  53. Definitely a good player for us. Strong, quick, killer in front of goal. There is no need to compare him to Eriksen or Mkytharian because they play in midfield. Would love to see him in Red. Finally.

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  54. No I don`t think he will either, but prob around the 12mil mark. Would I prefer Borini or Rhodes as a back up man and different option? Got to be Rhodes. Yep thats writing off Borini a little soon as I know he has been injured a lot, but I think of the two Rhodes is better.

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  55. I would actually take that, but if it would happen I dunno.

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  56. my only problem with Erikesen is I`m struggling to see how he will fit. Currently I can`t fit Sterling, Suarez Countinho and Sturridge and hendo or gerrard into the same team.


    Maybe its good to have extra players though as you can rotate. I`m just thinking right now we aint in the position or being able to buy spares

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  57. yeah he is good, although is it one season syndrome? I would love to get him in, however not sure where he will fit, or how much he will cost. I feel it will prob be too much. Him, and a new CB would be great signings

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  58. If we have learned anything at the weekend it's that we don't have the strength in depth yet to deal with being without a key player like Suarez. Now, obviously, you see the same thing at Barcelona when Messi is out so it's hardly surprising. But a striker like Higuain would definitely improve our chances of winning the title next year. Providing Lionel Suarez stays of course!

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  59. No need comparing the two. Sturridge and Higuain can compete among themselves for the number 9 position. Like Real, we need to have two of each on every position. They don't all need to be world beaters but they do need to be as strong as each other, pushing each other to higher levels and to improve our consistency.

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  60. Higuain would be nice, however we've got no chance.

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  61. him along with messi and ronaldo will be just fine.

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  62. Basically what Jon Jacks said but stranger things have happened. Surely clubs higher up the current food chain will be going in for him. Whoever gets him for around £15-£20m mark will be getting a very good player. Neither Benzema or Higuain have locked down that front place but Benzema has a bit more in that all-round locker that it seems Real are happy to usher out Higuain instead, as well as tends to do better with Ronaldo, instead of the Argentinian. My money is on them getting Lewandowski to replace him, instead of Bayern or Mancs.

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  63. i think you will find sterling as gone well down the pecking order and i agree coutinho looks better more central

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  64. its not that i dont rate higuain its just i do not see this kind of transfer happening

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  65. i know they beat us to ramirez i was being ironic lol;-)

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  66. I for one don't write Borini off just yet.

    12m? That would be cheap. Don't think that Blackburn will let him go for that. Since they've bought him for 8m he has won international caps plus experience in a higher league than he played in before.

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  67. It will be a great signing if we sign him but he will probably want to play in a champions league team. i can't see it happening

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  68. Like all other managers they have their own philosophies, and tactics, but it’s what each does with them that counts. Managers are judged on results because everything else seems rather abstract. “He’s a good man-manager”. Well, does it show in the results? “He’s a good tactician.” Well, does it show in the results? “He’s had 35 years experience.” Well, does it show in the results?

    I hope next season LFC will try to get sign 1 or 2 world class of striker. Edison Cavani and Gonzalo Higuin will making LFC look very diffrent and dangerous. Borini,Carroll,Downing,Henderson cannot meet our high expectation to their performance.Disapointed......Please sign Cavani and Higuin.Sturridge cannot consistentcy yet,but he is Man of the bench.

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  69. Please sign him.....Briliant,genius,fighter and bizarre player.He will become best partner for suarez.

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  70. Two words: Loic Remy!

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  71. That would work. We need to strengthen at the back though so that'd be even more of an outlay. I think centre backs are of more importance than buying another midfielders as is strengthening up front. I wouldnt say no to having Eriksen though. Although I dont know where he would fit in our team he is quality and would probably be an improvement on a number of our midfielders so having more quality cant hurt. Providing we can strengthen in the other areas as well.

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  72. Well, we surely should let you do the negotiations.

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  73. yeah i think he has right now, but i think that was to be expected. He is super young and had played the most amount of games anyone could expect. He seemed to tire and thus was given rest time. I still think he is a great little player and will come good.

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  74. I appreciate Blackburn would want top dollar for him IF they were even willing to sell him, but I think the pull of a prem club would mean he might request the move too thus reducing his price. Generally players from the Champs don`t go for much over 12mil. Maybe one or two expections ever, so I would expect Rhodes to still be able to be got for that sort of price. The bigger question would be if they even consider selling him. I can`t see it, nor can I see him wanting to move just yet.

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  75. I would rather have Charlie Austin and spend the money on eriksen.

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  76. there would be no negotiating it would be hard ball

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  77. ive just got a nigling doubt about wether stirling will forful the hype

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  78. the team needs new blood all over the place if we want to get back into the big time

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  79. fair call but imo rhodes will turn out the better of the two

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  80. he does need to work on areas of his game. Mainly scoring. He is though very young. I wouldn`t expect any player to be near first team ready until 20 plus and not hitting top form until 23 plus. Sterling has time on his side IF and its a big IF he has the right attitude and is willing to just keep working in training and youth teams without feeling like he has to be playing or needs to leave. A possible loan next season might work good for him, if his body can take it.

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  81. why that old other players do it at other clubs were making excuses and overating our youth prospects imo thats why the majority of the time they end up being shipped out

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  82. Thanks for that blog mr Barnes I would also like to date Christina aguilara and its pointless telling people that too lol

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  83. I couldn't agree more. Not only the starting lineup but we need quality throughout the squad.

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  84. We need selfish players though. Sturridge has been amazing since signing. He has scored and assisted 11 goals in 14 how can anyone complain about that? He didnt have his best match against Everton but that happens to the best of players.

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  85. How about Downing in a straight swap? He's worth about that according to them..

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  86. nd quality costs money and normally wants big wages fsg,s decision

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  87. Too right. It'll be interesting to see what FSG does in the summer. They haven't been scared about backing the managers with serious money in the past its just been a matter of misuse so far. Either way this will be a crucial transfer window.

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  88. Rhodes? seriously?? Blackburn almost got relegated this season from the Championship and you want to spent £10m on him?? Honestly, some fans out there are clueless. If Dortmund can find a Lewandowski for £3.9million then we need to branch out of England and look abroad for our talent.
    I agree that Borini needs to be sold though.

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  89. i do not expect anything major happening

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  90. why would he want to come to Liverpool ?

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  91. you piss me off

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