Portugal
and Atletico
Madrid midfielder Simao
Sabrosa has apparently once again
remained beyond Liverpool
manager Rafael
Benitez's grasp, as details have
emerged that Atletico's director of sport, Jesus Garcia Pitarch,
refused to sell Simao, one of the club's prized assets, to the Reds
this summer.
Liverpool apparently tabled a £19 million bid for the versatile
attacker, according to Portuguese newspaper Diario de Noticias. Benitez has been
trying to bring Simao to Anfield since as far back as 2005 in an
effort to bolster his side's offensive options.
The Reds were not the only club pursuing the ex-Benfica player's
services during this past transfer window. Juventus were reportedly
rejected in their £22 million bid, while Lyon and Paris-St Germain
had similar ill-luck in their attempts to sign the
29-year-old.
Benitez was forced to replace midfielder Xabi Alonso this summer
after the Spaniard was transferred to Real Madrid. The Reds'
manager chose to recruit Roma's £20 million midfielder Alberto
Aquilani to replace Alonso in the middle of the park.
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