12 May 2015

'Houdini' to Anfield? Boss confirms £65k-a-week attacker 'is for sale'; confirms 'Liverpool' haven't made contact yet

Liverpool are currently linked with a move for FPSG star Jeremy Menez, but what are the chances of the Reds sealing a deal this summer?

Last week, Italian newspaper Tutto Mercato claimed that Liverpool are considering a summer move for Menez, and when asked about the Liverpool rumours this week, Menez's agent told reporters:

“In modern football every player is for sale, but we haven’t been contacted by anyone. Liverpool and Monaco? These are just rumours. A player who has scored 16 goals will be sought-after, but at the moment there’s nothing concrete.”

The Reds have been linked with Menez - nicknamed 'Houdini' - many times in the past:

* 2010: Rafa Benitez tried to sign Menez during the January transfer window, but the player decided to stay at AS Roma.

* 2011: Menez hinted that he'd leave Roma after a bust-up with Roma Coach Vincenzo Montella, and according to The Mirror, Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish kept an eye on the winger.

* 2014: Brendan Rodgers reportedly considered putting in a £10m January bid for Menez.

* 2014: Sky Sports claimed that Liverpool were set to 'reignite interest' in £10m-rated Menez.

Some info about Menez:

* Milan contract expires: 2017

* Salary: €65k-a-week.

* Can play as a winger or a centre-forward

* Received a 4-match ban last week for directing a "blasphemous expression" at the fourth official following a recent dismissal against Genoa.

* After being a bit-part player for PSG, Menez is a regular starter for Milan, and his stats have vastly improved as a result of being trusted by his manager:

- Milan: 16 goals/4 assists in 34 apps
- Goal/assists every 1.6 games
- PSG: 15 goals/16 assists in 107 apps.
- Goal/assists every 3.4 games

Only Carlos Tevez has scored more goals than Menez in Serie A this season, and Milan boss Filip Inzaghi has set the Frenchman a new target for next year. In a recent interview, he noted:

"He [Menez] is a good centre-forward and he's also excellent as a winger. He mustn't stop now, though. He must try to become Serie A's top goalscorer, not for himself but for the team."

Like Liverpool, Milan are a former football superpower who've fallen from grace, and this season is another disappointment for a club with such an illustrious history.

It's the same at Anfield, and I can't see why Menez would ditch Milan for another club struggling to maintain a Champions League presence.


Author: Jaimie K



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