23 Jul 2013

Transfer Hijack: LFC outbid Viola for 'great' €12m star, but is it too late...?

Reds boss Brendan Rodgers is reportedly trying to hijack Fiorentina's move for Josip Ilicic, a long-time Liverpool transfer target.

According to Italian newspaper La Gazzetta Dello Sport:

"Liverpool have entered the race to sign Palermo's Josip Ilicic. The Reds have made a 12 million offer for the attacker, which is 2 and a half times more than the fee offered by Fiorentina"

What a refreshing change. Usually, it's Liverpool doing the transfer lowballing, but in this case, it appears that club has bid over and above the asking price in an attempt to seal the deal.

In May, Palermo owner Maurizio Zamparini confirmed that Ilicic would probably leave the club. He told reporters:

"Josip Iličić is a player for big clubs so I really doubt that he will stay with us. He has already told me that he will leave if he gets an offer from a big club. And I don't doubt that he will get one."

A stumbling block for Liverpool could be Ilicic's apparent preference for Fiorentina. In mid-July, his Agent told Radio Blue:

“Ilicic has chosen Fiorentina. Now we are just waiting for the two clubs to come to an agreement, but Josip is very calm.”

It should be noted that Ilicic's agent made this statement before LFC's bid. Money talks in football, and with Italian clubs struggling for money, recently-relegated Palermo might accept Liverpool's bid, and then it will be down to the player to make a final decision. The point is, nothing is decided yet.

Would Ilicic be a good signing, though? Last month, Palermo director Giorgio Perinetti sounded a note of caution about the player. He told Radio KK:

“Iličić is a great player, but he can be inconsistent. I can say for the moment there are no negotiations taking place, but if [clubs] decide to make us an offer, it would be a pleasure for us to deal with them.”

La Gazzetta claims that a decision will be confirmed either way by Tuesday, so we'll just have to see if Ilicic sticks with Fiorentina.

EDIT: 18.00pm - It appears that Ilicic has indeed decided to go to Fiorentina. Viola chief Andrea Della Valle stated this evening:

"Ilicic will arrive and the surprises aren’t over yet. We will reinforce the midfield and make this team even stronger."

Oh well. Another one bites the dust...





NOTE: Please stick to the Comment Policy (Click to read)


44 comments:

  1. liverpool4life5656:24 pm, July 23, 2013

    Medical tomorrow, not really fussed, either Bernard or Ericsson for me

    ReplyDelete
  2. gud player -should go for him..

    ReplyDelete
  3. sorry jaimie read this earlier ,but as we were on about eriksen ,i did not post anything as why would we sign to attacking midfielders ,when we already have ample midfielders already, i predict a great season for henderson as long as he gets the chance next season

    ReplyDelete
  4. Got a decent potential attack mid & front players now in Gomez, Rossi (if he finds his form again that is), very promising Ljacic (played better than Jovetic last season), Joaquin (wrong side of 30 and may find it hard in Serie A as a winger but did well last season for Malaga) and now Ilicic. Got a little soft spot for Viola since the 90s, so would be nice to see them improve.

    ReplyDelete
  5. It will be getting a chance which will be hard for Hendo though. If we signed Eriksen I would say the AM role is gone for Hendo, as both Eriksen and Coutinho would be first picks for that role above Hendo. The DM role is currently held down by Lucas. I don`t see Hendo as a DM player, even though I think he could prob do that role ok. I think BR will use Allen as back up for the DM role. Seems to make more sense as Allen has more experience as a DM than Hendo does.


    This leave the Central spot. Currently taken by none other than club legend Stevie G. As it stands I see Hendo as second player for this position. Gerrard while not getting any younger had a great year in terms of fitness, and I think dropping Gerrard isn`t something that will happen to often, however on a personal level I actually think Hendo would be a good shout above Gerrard in some games.


    Cue the abuse for suggesting playing Hendo over Gerrard (in some games).


    Thats the only spot I see him getting a run out in. While I think Hendo coudl do that role, I think Br will pick Gerrard over him and Hendo will be on the bench more and used for cup games.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Don't believe for one second we offered 2.5x their offer which if true is therefore just under €5m. If so why wud we go in so high. Utter rubbish

    ReplyDelete
  7. On a side note, reports are saying Arsenal have upped there offer to a value of 42mil (35mil cash and 7mil add ons) What do people make of that?


    For me even if it was 42mil upfront, while that is a heck load of cash to improve the team, I just can`t handle us selling him to any prem team. I would prefer Suarez to stay as he is no doubt world class, however if he must go, abroad is the only option for me, even if it means we get less cash for him.


    If we sell him to Arsenal, I think it will make all our signings pointless as I can`t see us getting fourth then. It would be a massive mistake selling such a good player to a team fighting for the same league spot as us.

    ReplyDelete
  8. oh man arsenal with a 42 million bid for suarez .... :( giidbye suarez :(

    ReplyDelete
  9. henderson is the biggest worker we have in the team ,and he also started to chip in with a fair few number of goals and assists ,he would get more than a few games if i was manager

    ReplyDelete
  10. He reminds me of Kuyt the way he runs around the pitch, great work rate, wouldn't want rid of him, I think he'll be great in the next few seasons, and having said that I'd avoid Eriksen, but I do rate Bernard quite highly so I'd go for him if we can afford it, and if BR feels there's a place for him in the team.

    ReplyDelete
  11. BR would have to be off his rocker to sell a player like Suarez to another EPL team, especially one that we intend to be fighting for the forth CL place this coming season, I was rather hoping if he goes it would be to Spain, or even Germany, but £35m + add ons isn't anywhere near BR valuation so hopefully he's staying put for now.

    ReplyDelete
  12. In which position. You have completely failed to answer the question I posed. Anyone can say yeah play him, but who you dropping and what position? put ya money where ya mouth is jas m8 and name your mids/attacking line up with Hendo in as I wanna see who you drop and who you think he is better than?


    You gunna take the challenge?

    ReplyDelete
  13. I think in regards to Hendo he just stuffed Jonjo for being Captain Fantastic's understudy, he has the same mentality as Stevie he has the authority and drive in there too, not many of the players celebrate with the same intensity as him when scoring, the guy looks like hes going to pop out of his own skin

    ReplyDelete
  14. liverpool4life56510:34 pm, July 23, 2013

    It's 40 million and a pound, but it's been rejected, tony barrat has confirmed...

    ReplyDelete
  15. the problem with that team is suarez is leaving sturridge will be injured and dont bet on erikson being here ...the reason rogers will get rid of hendo is fsg are trimming the wage bill

    ReplyDelete
  16. hendo is a kenny signing so his face doesnt fit no matter hoe rogers spins it......with him out the way it means the welsh xavi has more chance of playing

    ReplyDelete
  17. i cant see us getting 4th with him all the top clubs are going for world class players your Suarez your fabregases while we are in the woolworths bargin bucket buying russ abbott records

    ReplyDelete
  18. rogers has no say in it if fsg want him out hes gone

    ReplyDelete
  19. Some half-arsed clause that is for Suarez.

    ReplyDelete
  20. agreed, if Suarez goes, it will be down to FSG or Suarez forcing the move. BR is kinda out of the loop on this one.

    ReplyDelete
  21. far enough, but ignoring the attackers, as lets be honest Hendo aint going to play up front. My question remains the same.


    Jas has mentioned a lot that he wants Eriksen, but has also said he would play Hendo lots. I want to see how he is going to do that if he gets his wish of Eriksen signing for us. Otherwise it makes the point of playing Hendo lots just a baseless moan that cant be backed up.


    If you talk the talk, then walk it.


    Name your starting mids? Without Eriksen if you dont want him, or with him if you want him.


    I cant see the point in saying you want Eriksen though and also want Hendo playing. Thats just either a error or some magic stuff where two players can play in the same position at once.


    The other option is, he wants Gerrard dropped so Hendo can play there.


    Either way I want to see if he can add some walk to his talk, or if its all hot air.


    Challenge on Jas m8 :-)


    Mine


    Lucas
    Gerrard
    Eriksen (or Coutinho if Erisken dont sign)

    ReplyDelete
  22. No where has Rodgers looked like he was selling Hendo. He also played him a lot last season, so somewhat factless rambling from you there? or do you have some evidence to back this up?

    ReplyDelete
  23. When fans are crying for FSG to buy new players(spend spend spend) were do y'all taught they were going to play??? Only 11 people plays the game.

    ReplyDelete
  24. My view is that Liverpool don't "low-ball" on offers. They offer what they think the player is worth. Often that price will be below the asking price, you'd expect that with the selling club wanting the most they can get. But that doesn't make us the cheapskates, it just makes us shrewd shoppers who know what we want and know how much we think we should pay. Rodgers has said it a number of times: they have clear ideas on what value they think a player is truly worth and they are not willing to pay over the odds.


    Low-ball is purposely offering less than you think the player is worth in the hopes of getting a bargain. I don't see much evidence that Liverpool do that. I see evidence that they have a firm and realistic price in their minds which they put forward to selling clubs. That's called not getting ripped off and I think it's sensible and admirable from the club. Since Rodgers has been there the agreed philosophy of the club buying and selling has changed so that we're simply smarter and more careful.


    The attitude from fans that we should just "splash the cash" seems quite petulant. This is still real money. Football is a game, but the millions of pounds that changes hands is not. Clubs go broke, they go into administration, the have massive debts. We've already been there with our previous owners and it was a far more serious situation than many people appreciate. It was a BANK that ensured we got sold to FSG. most of what FSG paid went to paying off a debt to that bank, that's a signal that our finances were a mess. So saving a million here or there, cutting the wage bill and being smart with money is a good thing, it's something we should appreciate and feel good about. We shouldn't be complaining about it like kids who don't get the expensive bike they wanted for Christmas.

    ReplyDelete
  25. hope thats true with fsg nothing is predictable :(

    ReplyDelete
  26. a lot like kuyt but given his age ,he can go on to be something special

    ReplyDelete
  27. we have not signed eriksen ,but even if we did who,s to say he would be better than hendo,and they may well all just pip hendo ,but over a season between them they will miss plenty of games ,and hendo is the one to replace them,and against the more physical teams a fear your side would be over run

    ReplyDelete
  28. gerrard will not be around for ever and why could we not play 3 at the back

    ReplyDelete
  29. you must of watched Dr who as a kid...if they can all fit in that police box we can get hendo in the team.

    ReplyDelete
  30. he tried to flog him to fulhan for peanuts......listen most of what i think on hendo and rogers is gut feeling .....it sounds crazy ,deluded whatever but i know it irks rogers when hendo comes on and plays well and Allen doesn't ..it pains rogers to praise hendo when he plays well and he was imo our best midfielder for most games he played last year...yet he gushes over allen for tieing his laces

    ReplyDelete
  31. gj da kt je


    jh LL

    sg PC


    s s



    my probelm is rogers doesn't play my way IMO if stuarez stays thats our best team

    ReplyDelete
  32. Couldn't agree more Adam. Too many supporters crying for FSG to spend money whilst also conveniently forgetting that they did that once and are now paying the price. John Henry and his partners are very successful businessmen, do people really think that after 100 mill was wasted on squad players that they wouldn't learn from that? As has been stated on other threads, Daniel Levy is lauded as a tough negotiator and by extension Spurs never seem to pay over the odds for players whilst generally receiving good fees for those they sell - this is not good enough for some so called Liverpool supporters but when asked how we should go about our business they haven't a clue, simply sign every player we're ever linked with and to hell with budgeting or value for money.
    It seems that some only believe a player is worth having if we spend 15 mill plus as anything less is just an average squad player, so ladies and gentlemen, I present to you Stewart 20 mill Downing.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Mr. Point Of View8:42 am, July 24, 2013

    how bout like this (if involve player exchange with gunner) :

    A) Walcott / Podolski + 25m
    B) Mertesacker + 35m

    ReplyDelete
  34. While that sounds good would wenger agree would the players u mentioned want to move?

    ReplyDelete
  35. Mr. Point Of View9:13 am, July 24, 2013

    i guess either Theo/Lucas will consider IF Luis go there. Gunner oso overload will attker ! Ox, Giroud, Gevinho, hmmm Chamakh :s

    ReplyDelete
  36. Hmmmm walcott could be tempted if we offer him strikers role

    ReplyDelete
  37. Mr. Point Of View9:44 am, July 24, 2013

    Wenger will keep Theo for english quota...Lucas will more possible

    ReplyDelete
  38. Mr. Point Of View9:51 am, July 24, 2013

    ya hehehee

    ReplyDelete
  39. He would be decent but I'll be worried about his fitness he is injury prone of late

    ReplyDelete
  40. 4-4-2, fair dues good anwser m8

    ReplyDelete
  41. mertesacker he"s slower than coates .soz m8 that's not gonna happen

    ReplyDelete