Emile Heskey could return to Anfield at the end of the
season after becoming a shock target for Liverpool.
Manager Rafa Benitez, who arrived at Anfield in 2004 shortly after
Heskey was sold by outgoing boss Gerard Houllier, has been alerted
to the in-form England striker’s eagerness to play in the Champions
League again.
He believes Heskey would provide valuable cover for Fernando
Torres and is ready to challenge Tottenham and Aston Villa for his
services should the 30-year-old continue to resist Wigan
manager Steve Bruce’s efforts to tie him to a new contract.
Heskey, who is forging a lethal strike partnership with Wayne
Rooney for England, is convinced he should be playing against
Europe’s glamour clubs.
Spurs made a bid for Heskey on the final day of the transfer
window, but the former Liverpool striker believes he can still play
for a team in the top four.
Heskey, who won his 50th cap in England’s 3-1 victory in Belarus
on Wednesday, said: ‘Everyone wants to be playing on these stages
and for their club in the Champions League. ‘It’s a nice situation
that I’m in, but I’m still a Wigan player and I want to do my best
for them.’
The former Liverpool front-runner can leave for nothing next
summer under a clause in his current agreement. Benitez has noted
the way his selfless running has benefited Rooney and believes the
prospect of another Champions League place next season could give
Liverpool an edge over any rivals for Heskey’s signature.
Heskey has become a key member of the England squad under Fabio
Capello and his partnership with Rooney continues to develop. He
set up Rooney’s first goal against Belarus on Wednesday evening in
the Dinamo Stadium and believes they will continue to improve their
partnership.
Heskey said: ‘We are trying to get that understanding. On the
training pitch we try to work on bits and pieces together and it is
paying off. ‘We enjoy playing together. We enjoy playing football
and you can see it with Wayne when he is out there — he puts 100
per cent in.
‘By starting the last few games you begin to feel part of the
team, but you never know what is going to happen.'
