6 Aug 2013

Transfer Concern: LFC close to signing 'weak' star with €30m exit clause. Mistake...?

It's an open secret that Liverpool want to sign another left-back before the end of the transfer window, and new reports today suggest that the Reds are on the brink of signing Benfica defender Lorenzo Melgarejo.

Over the weekend, the Liverpool Echo claimed:

"The Paraguayan left-back will move to Anfield on a season-long deal, subject to a work permit application being accepted.

"The Reds will have the option to make the move permanent for a fee of around £7m next summer, should the move develop into a success"


Speculation has intensified over the last couple of days, and according to Portuese newspaper Jornal Record today:

"The future of Lorenzo Melgarejo will be decided this week. The Paraguayan left-back, 22, is just waiting for the his Agent to arrive in Portugal, which will speed up his one-season loan deal to Liverpool".

O Jogo claims, however, that Liverpool have 'closed the door' on the move for Melgarejo, with the club renewing its interest in Valencia left-back Aly Cissokho.

Melgarejo's current contract expires in 2018, and contains a massive €30m release clause, which begs the question, why would Benfica allegedly be willing to sell him for £7m?

One thing to consider is that Melgarejo is not a natural left back. At Independiente, the Paraguayan played as an out and out left-winger, but upon his arrival at Benfica, the club's boss Jorge Jesus decided to convert Melgarejo into a defender, an experiment that abjectly failed. Portuguese football expert Tom Kundert told The Mirror:

"A series of blunders during preseason cost several goals. Melgarejo [then] scored a spectacular own goal and laid on a perfect ‘assist’ for the opposition, in a 2-2 draw against Braga.

"For the whole season [left back] remained Benfica’s weak spot, with opposition teams targeting Melgarejo. His lack of aggression and positional difficulties [showed] that he did not have the attributes to perform the role.

"By the end of the campaign the penny finally dropped and Jorge Jesus dropped Melgarejo for the Portuguese Cup final".


This doesn't sound good at all. If Rodgers intends to use Melgarejo as a left-back, it is surely negligent to do so given the fact he is clearly not suited to the role. Why not just focus on signing a specialist full-back; are we to believe that Liverpool's scouts are unable to find a natural left-back anywhere in world football?!

Another factor that may come into play is Melgarejo's legal status. With nly one international appearance for Paraguay, it may be difficult for him to get a work permit. As such, perhaps a move for Cissokho is a more sensible option?



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


44 comments:

  1. liverpool4life56511:49 am, August 06, 2013

    We ended our interest in him I want cissohko. Good player attacking an defending.

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  2. Are you having a laugh having the sun advertised on your website sort it out Jamie

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  3. Maybe this is why the interest has ended?

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  4. Apparently he has been denied a work permit

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  5. he's fail to get a work permitt so it's not happening

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  6. With respect, there is no evidence that his work permit has been denied. Do you have proof? At this stage, everything is speculation, which is why I put both sides in the article.

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  7. I don't have any proof that's why I said apparently I don't post here often I just thought I could at to the discussion. I liked the look of cissohko when he was at Porto, but that was a few years back. Who else do you like the look of Jamie?

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  8. Worst LFC blog. Headlines are completely misleading.


    What next ? LFC start with £100 million going to newcastle for £5 million.
    By the way, I am talking about Downing. Big buy out close does not mean player is worth that much and also does not make him a star.

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  9. But this story has been dead for a week other than this work permit thing. The actual link was over a week ago. We've been linked with two other left backs since then

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  10. The story is not dead. The Portuguese newspaper report is from today. Everything is speculation, including the notion that LFC are no longer interested. There is no statement of fact from anyone involved stating that the deal is dead, just newspaper speculation. As such, why does one report take precedence over another?

    I'm more inclined to believe a newspaper in the actual country where this saga is ongoing.

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  11. You don't post here often because you are one my stalker's minions, as evidenced by the post of yours that caught by the word-filter. You're now banned.

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  12. This is great and all but LB is not exactly an emergency position.

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  13. I admit, I'm not familiar with him...


    Considering that our LB typically moves up the pitch aggressively, I'd be interested to see how this would work out.


    If he's a natural left midfielder who can be serviceable on defense, it's not such a bad risk... especially on loan. If we don't like him once he's here, he doesn't play and he moves on.

    Sounds low risk enough to take a chance.

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  14. He was dropped for Portuguese cup but played the Europa final against Chelsea.

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  15. I still think we should have kept Robinson for cover this season, can't believe we've loaned Blackpool another player after all the jip they give us transfer wise it's mind boggling.

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  16. No facts on the work permit thing. But SS news just reported about an hour ago that the permit has been denied, and the deal is a dead duck. They only quoted "sources", so it could be all rubbish.
    If it is true, i wouldnt be too upset. I honestly dont know a whole lot about him, but from the reports i've read, including the ones you're quoting, the consensus seems to be he is not a LB, as you pointed out.
    This position does need re-enforcing. But i cant honestly offer up a name that i know enough about, who would be available and in our price range.

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  17. If SSN is reporting then I'd accept that. My earlier point was that up until an hour ago, there was no confirmation either way. Agree with you though - Siqueira looks like the best option of the bunch.

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  18. Yeah there was nothing about it all morning but i just caught it on the way out the house on the transfer update. This money going around for Downing seems very cheap. I'm in no way a fan of his, but selling him for that money seems a little drastic, though i'm not sure how much wages he's on.

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  19. My guess would be he must be on same as Carroll or just a step down but the lowest I can think of him is 80-90K a week.

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  20. I'd prefer Cissokho because he seems to be more realistic because even if Siqueira looks the best out of the bunch still I don't think he'll coming to LFC when Real Madrid are in for him and any player generally wants to play for them even our own Suarez.

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  21. who said if we get him he will be playing as a left back? he might be cover for left wing,that's his more natural position (started off as a striker).With Assaidi also seemingly on his way out maybe we will get a LW and Melgarejo could be that man.

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  22. Hello Jamie, I am a liverpool fan and a regular reader of both your articles and the comment section on your website and I in no way intended to offend you or your website. As I said I just wanted to join in on discussions. I'm disappointed I have been banned but you have obviously had trouble with trolls and I in no way be a troll I just love my football and your website is one of the best on Liverpool FC I still will continue to read your articles and the comment section. Sorry again if I caused any stress.

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  23. Well if he's on that much then yeah its probably worth taking the hit to get what surely will be a bit part player off the books. And the more i think about it, in reality we probably wont get much more.
    Still grates at me though

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  24. weve been linked with every FOC leftback in the world ...all average non better than jose

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  25. liverpool4life5656:47 pm, August 06, 2013

    Cissokho is better than erinque..... So is siqueira....

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  26. Average player at best. I dont really want him here

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  27. life in the prem is a lot different ....its okay walking around in the sun but its how these guys cope on a windy night in the rain at cardiff

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  28. that good hes warming the bench and going on loan,,,the guys a real superstar

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  29. liverpool4life5657:54 pm, August 06, 2013

    Valencia are making cuts because they didn't make CL. They can't pay his wages that's why there letting him go.

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  30. or maybe they are looking for some mugs to off load him on because hes over paid and over rated

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  31. Another pointless article. Sky Sports making it clear a work permit for the player was denied.

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  32. If you bothered to take note of the timings, you'd see that Sky sports started reporting the work permit thing about 8 hours AFTER this article went live.

    If you think articles here are 'pointless' then why don't you go to some other LFC site? Comments like that = sniping. Persist, and you'll get a 3-day ban.

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  33. You heard about that s*n lie from somewhere, and I can only presume that you got it straight from the stalker. Well, that lie is the latest in a long line of BS spread by this deranged fool, and like the others, it is now debunked. Here is the proof that his latest claim is a lie: http://www.jaimiekanwartruth.com/2013/08/stalker-lies-again-about-jaimie-kanwar/

    Next time, don't just believe what some random, anonymous nutcase online tells you.

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  34. So much for the "timings" being the reason you put this article up eh Jamie? Swiller proving my point. Let's talk about relevant stuff please. Thanks

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  35. Well looking way down below at the commentary on this blog, i can clearly see some fans suggested this to you a good 11 hours ago, and you accused them of not having any proof. These are not personal tirades by the way. If we did not challenge your views, your journalism would not improve.

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  36. Yet more negativity Mr JK, i am baffled to the point that i am actually wondering if you are a Liverpool fan, shoot me down if you like about you having an objective view on things. BUT i can not honestly recall a single blog from your good self that was even remotely positive. Don't get me wrong EVERYONE is entitled to their view and this should be encouraged, but JK come on Sir, is there a single ounce of positivity in your bones?

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  37. This article is valid, and agree with JK on the fact it is factual and prevalent.

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  38. *don't get me wrong, what you post is a good read and i do read your posts along with the comments, this is one of the best WWW for LFC, i don't mean to cause offence but i would enjoy this WWW more if you had a slightly more positive view from time to time!*

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  39. Don't see LW wing being likely, BR likes his forwards to be interchangeable between LW, CF, RW and potentially CAM as well. Suarez, Sturridge, Coutinho, Aspas, Alberto, Henderson and Even Sterling and Ibe are all interchangeable in min 2 of these positions.
    The only players that are not interchangeable are the back line and for good reason to.

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  40. You wanna check with the firm that sorts your advertising Jamie coz there ARE two links for s*n goals on this page. I'd have it removed before you make a website accusing someone of photoshopping it in to a pic...............oh well. btw im not an affiliate, minion or bezzi of your 'stalker' before you go accusing ;)

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  41. No Jamie, I mentioned the advert because it was at the bottom of the page I hadn't heard it from anywhere, but I won't bother you with it again sorry for any offence caused as I said I'm just a reader I've only just found out about the trouble you have been getting though you other web page. I've never spoken to any other persons on this website or any other discussing you or your website as I said on the previous vote I love coming on here and reading you articles and the discussions in the comment section thanks for replying again anyway.

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  42. his a better addition than cissokho. cissokho is not better than henrique, for liverpool, and this guy actually brings the option of a LB with great attack for matches which we want to push at.

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  43. Actually, for my eyes - looking at br's developing thinking threw the last two years - it seems much more likely that he will prefer to sign Melgarejo at this point. He's a much more confident player and is much more creative in attack and passing, playmaking - assuming that we already have henrique which is better on the defense scale.
    So for me this story kind of makes sense and i do hope we end up singing this guy. I think this is more a quality surprising singing in the fragrance of coutinho-sturidgge etc. Again, Melgarejo can really add up to the kind of attacking play BR pushes for consistently - he's a development.

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