RAFA BENITEZ must win an off-field rematch with AC Milan if
he is to land Samuel Etoo. The Cameroon striker is one of the top
targets for Benitez, who plans sweeping changes to turn Liverpool
into genuine Premiership contenders. The Barcelona hitman, 26, is
the proven scorer the Kop chief feels cost his side in last months
Champions League final defeat to the Italian giants. Yet Milan are
the first to publicly confirm their interest in the three-time
African Player of the Year.
It was suggested that the San Siro side were close to completing a
deal for the £30million-rated star. That is some way off but they
are keen on taking him. A club statement revealed: Etoo is a
Barcelona player but Milan will make an official approach to
Barcelona when the Spanish league finishes. However, this is
without any certainty that he will eventually arrive at Milan as
the Catalonia club rightly have the final decision on whether to
sell or not.
Etoo is still to resolve a public war of words with Barca
superstar Ronaldinho, sparked by his refusal to go on as a sub
against Racing Santander in February. The two made up to some
degree and Etoo said: If it is true that I am a problem for my
team then I will go but I am happy here.
Ronaldinho is being strongly tipped to quit the Nou Camp for Serie
A this summer and Etoos future looked to lie with Barca. Now,
though, that is shrouded in doubt again after Milan entered the
fray, following their announcement that Alberto Gilardino could
leave for £16m.
Benitez has drawn up a summer shopping hitlist which includes some
of Europes biggest names. And Lyons Florent Malouda is the first
to have given the thumbs-up for an £8m move to Anfield. It seemed
the Reds might have been gazumped for the French winger earlier
this week when his close pal Didier Drogba urged him to go to
Chelsea.
But now Malouda, 27, has broken his silence and admitted the chance
to link up with Benitez appeals. He said: There has been contact
with Liverpool, although I dont know as yet if they have shown
their interest directly to Lyon. "People make their decisions based
on the different leagues in different countries but I would rather
decide based on the club. And Liverpool, why not? It is a great
club.
Twelve months ago, he played in all but one of his countrys World
Cup games. And he carried his sparkling form into the domestic
campaign, hitting 10 goals in 27 starts. Malouda signed a contract
extension last summer, which runs until 2011. But he is keen to
test himself overseas and had also been eyed by Milan and Juventus.
But yesterdays revelations have left Liverpool as red-hot
favourites to grab him.
WIGAN boss Chris Hutchings may make a £500,000 swoop for former
Reds captain Sami Hyypia. Finnish defender Hyypia, 33, has one year
left on his Anfield contract but his chances of playing regularly
are likely to be limited.
