According to Alessandro Mancini’s agent, Rafa Benitez has been in touch about the Brazilian right sided player.
Gilmar Veloz, the players agent, was speaking to Italian radio:
“There has been interest from Liverpool and I have spoken with Benitez.
“I replied that they must talk with Roma, but if the Giallorossi were to sell him I’d have no trouble striking a deal.”
The comments should be treated with some caution. The player’s contract expires in 2009 and discussions about a contract extension are on-going. His agent also said:
“On Monday I’ll be meeting with Roma sporting director Daniele Prade to talk about contracts, I don’t know what their offer is yet.”
“Does Mancini want to stay? Surely if he didn’t he would have already left.”
Whether his agent is using Liverpool’s interest as a bargaining tool for a better Roma contract, or if Liverpool have genuine interest should become clearer next week.
Mancini is an incredibly versatile player – capable of playing anywhere on the right wing – defence, midfield or even attack – scoring 32 goals in 123 games for AS Roma.
i think it would be sensible to make a double swoop at roma buying mancini and phillipe mexes or cristian chivu both two quality defenders this would sort the reds out for next seasons campaign making them a formidable outfit
We need a solid central defender to support Agger and Jamie. Hypia will do for another season, and Paleta is ok as a fourth choice, but ideally we need someone to repalce one of those two incase of injury and for the future. Also another right back would be good as Finnan isn’t getting any younger, and Aurelio is injured.
Since LFC has spent big money on the attack, I hope that Rafa will look for midfielders in the ranks like Deco or Kaka to boast the midfield. If we are not creative and unable to trouble the opposing back line. Our strike force will not be lethal in scoring. This means that LFC has failed in the 2007 summer transfer. I can only hope that Rafa has identified these creative midfielders by now to bring them to Anfield before the transfer window closes.
With Mancini around, the Premiership will definitely stand up on its feet and keep a cautious look on the Reds. With the current crop of players and now (hopefully Mancini), Rafa is trying to turn the Reds into an effective, attacking and attractive footballing side. We shall become the Barcelona of England!!! Never mind about the defence because if you buy and disrupt the usual defensive line, it spell trouble. Look at the start of last season when Rafa bought Agger, many critics said that Rafa could not make up his mind abt his backfour. I feel give the youngsters a chance to shine. Gk wise? Carson is good enuf for the bench yea….unlesssss….a major injury crisis lands liverpool, i’d definitely see Liverpool finishing Champs next season.
Mancini would be a gamble having got enough striking players in the squad. A goalkeeper or defender is the main priority. Gabby Heinze or Khalid Boulharouz would fit but they are most probably unavailable. If Sven let Micah Richards go, he would also be a candidate. Having said that, I think we have the sqaud to win the Prmiership with the likes of Nano Torres and Babel, two of the new signings.
Reds 4 Life
Having spent money on attacking players hopefully there is some left to get a top quality defender to supplement Cara and Agger. Huypia although useful is past his best and with Paleta out of his depth the defence looks weak in comparison to the rest of the squad. Heinze would be a good addition as he can cover all defensive positions however it’s unlikely Fergy will let him move across. There must be a versatile player in Holland, Germany or France that would suit.