The Israeli international expressed doubts about his Anfield future at Christmas time but since then has been on a terrific vein of form, and played a large part in Liverpool’s end of season winning run-in.
Only last month he said while speaking to his Israeli radio:
“I have long since accepted that, with one or two notable exceptions, there is no such thing as an automatic choice at Liverpool.
“The good thing is, I have been playing more, and I hope it continues that way. To be honest, it could be Real Madrid knocking on my door, and I would still rather stay at Liverpool four more years.’
Man City and Atletico Madrid continue to monitor the situation, as apparently do his former club West Ham United.
We have also heard that Atletico Madrid’s interest in Alvaro Arbeloa will be encouraged if the reds secure the signature of Portsmouth’s Glen Johnson. Chelsea are also believe to be interested in the player, but if the reds can get the player in then Arbeloa is likely to be the one moving out of the Anfield door to help fund the transfer.
And finally we already reported a few days back that Liverpool look set to receive an extension on the £350 M loan from the RBS and Wachovia banks. It now appears that both Hicks and Gillett have made head-way in their intentions to sell parts of their own American assets.
It is understood that George Gillett has found a $320 million buyer for his Montreal Canadiens ice hockey team and Tom Hicks is close to selling half of his stake in the Texas Rangers. Watch this space.