How Liverpool Might Benefit from Diego Forlan's Transfer to Inter Milan

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(Bleacher Report) Today saw Luis Suarez's international teammate, Diego Forlan, put pen to paper on a two-year deal with Inter Milan. His move from Atletico Madrid puts him in position to try and fill the boots of Russia-bound Samuel Eto'o, who left the club just last week for Anzhi Makhachkala.

Upon his departure after seven years in Spain between Villarreal and Atletico, the Uruguayan striker offered these words to his fans and teammates in a press conference in Madrid Monday:

"It's difficult to say goodbye after four years here and three years at Villarreal. I am sad to leave Spain. I feel a great affection to the people and I will never forget it.

"The experience at Atletico has been incredible. We have won many titles but not only that, I've met great people at the club.

"I leave as an Atletico fan. These people will remain in my heart."

Forlan will make a good addition to the current Inter Milan side and should fit well with Diego Milito up front, but could cause some confusion if Wesley Sneijder yells Diego on the pitch to put in a through ball. All joking aside, he should be a fine new piece of attacking prowess for Massimo Moratti.

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

However, this signing actually has some interesting underlying circumstances that Liverpool football club and its fans should take note of.

The first instance is to completely end the speculation that Dirk Kuyt was going to move to Inter this August. It had been thought that he might move last year when Rafael Benitez took up the Inter post as manager.

To the delight of most Reds fans, the hard-working Dutchman remained on Merseyside. It was a good thing that he did, as he would end up as the Reds' leading scorer with 13 when last season's campaign came to a close.

This year he is now almost permanently a third striker. The additions of Jordan Henderson and Stewart Downing will limit his time as a deputy on the wing as opposed to before when he was the primary choice to deputize on the right flank.

Depending how you look at it, this is a blessing as Kuyt's ability is much needed in the current Liverpool squad. He is a veteran leader who is unselfish and a prime example of professionalism.

It looks as though fans can rest assured that he will remain at Anfield for at least one more season under Kenny Dalglish, under whom he has been most successful.

Another interesting angle for the Reds is to know that their young Spanish striker Dani Pacheco now becomes a primary choice for the Atletico starting XI. Without a chance at an extended amount of first-team action at Anfield this campaign, the Pacheco opted for a loan move to Atletico.

 Alex Livesey/Getty Images

He had great success while on loan at to Norwich City, and it was believed for the longest time that he would return to the Canaries on loan this season. However, they still did business with Reds as they purchased young defender Daniel Ayala in August.

Pacheco was still deemed to raw to have a permanent role in the Reds' first team this season as he still has time to develop and grow.

However, the departures of both Sergio Aguero and Diego Forlan from Madrid's second club have left the door wide open for the youngster to stake claim to a starting role next to Radamel Falcao.

Falcao was the highest scorer in the Portuguese Liga with 34 goals and was both a champion of Portugal and also a second-tier European champion as FC Porto won the UEFA Europa League championship.

Young Pacheco has an amazing opportunity and his home club of Liverpool looks to profit from the possible rewards of the Spanish starlet.

Whether it ends with Pacheco making huge developmental progress or with him being sold on for a profit, Diego Forlan's move could help Liverpool gain a little extra fiscal or physical equity in their youth system and current rosters.


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World Football Rumors: Sneijder to Man Utd & 15 Transfers That Haven't Happened

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(Bleacher Report)Hundreds of transfer rumors have come and gone this summer. There has been no lack of excitement built up by fans, only to have their hearts crushed by a move that just did not happen for their club.

So many moves remain on the table, but the majority of the major deals look likely to have been done for the summer.

With only eight more days in the month of August for teams to try and strengthen or recover some of the cash spent through sales, it is now down to the wire.

Regardless, there are rumors going back and forth with some of the biggest possibilities still hanging in the balance. In some cases there might be just enough time for a few more big money dealings to be complete.

That said, lets take a look back at 15 moves that did not happen or are yet to fully materialize into a deal......CLICK TO START THE SLIDESHOW.

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England Gridlocked by Winter Storms, Liverpool vs. Fulham Frozen Out

No Liverpool vs. Fulham Grudge match, but Transfer Rumors Galore for the Reds.

By Rhydon Atzenhoffer

December 20, 2010

With all of the British Isles in the grips of a devastatingly powerful winter storm, only a few games were able to be played in the English Premiership on the weekend. With most of the big matches cancelled due to the weather it is giving some teams possibly a much needed rest. The Reds have been in rather sporadic form this season. Big victory here, pathetic loses here, and clear wins becoming draws there. It has been quite a rough season for new gaffer Roy Hodgson.

The old Fulham boss took to the North to ply his trade on the River Mersey while Manchester City ousted manager Mark Hughes went south to take the reins after Hodgson’s departure. The former Manchester United player has had a difficult time in London with only United States winger Clint Dempsey truly putting in the class performances for the Cottagers. With that said it is no wonder that Roy Hodgson and Liverpool have been possible planning a raid for the talented Texan.

Clint Dempsey is in fine form for Fulham

Aside from Dempsey and the other possible new faces that have been circulating in the column this past week there are now several more names popping up on the list. With the manager proclaiming his desire for a Transfer Kitty in January it is certain that there will be some moving and shaking in some capacity.

The most prolific of the names listed as of late has to be Bayern Munich’s Mario Gomez whom has fallen out of favor with the Bavarian Giants. The big German would be another target man up from to match with Fernando Torres allowing Hodgson to have two powerful finesse strikers to pair with his traditional 4-4-2 playing style.

 Out of Favor Mario Gomez of Bayern Munich

Another name that has been linked in the last few days in Chelsea’s young attacker Daniel Sturridge whom is believed to be a temporary loan signing to be a stop gap for the Reds until the Summer transfer window when they can possible afford to muster the funds for acquisitions that have been suggested earlier in the year such as Diego Forlan from Atletico Madrid.

 Sturridge would add more youthful options and speed

With so many names circulating as possibly additions it has also been made apparent that the Reds will be looking to offload summer signing Milan Jovanovic only six months after he was brought into the fold. He at this point appears to be surplus to the needs and wants of Hodgson, and he will be used in most cases to help raise additional funds for January incomers. The proof that youngsters David Ngog and Ryan Babel are progressing under the new tutelage of Hodgson gives hope that they can fill the gap left by the 29 year old Serbian.

With so much talk as of late it is heating up to be an exciting transfer period to say the least. With the halfway point here it is imperative that Liverpool continue to make some progress up the table or we could be seeing Roy on the way out.