Liverpool Deadline Day Transfer Rumours: Juan Manuel Vargas Could Be Last One In

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(Bleacher Report) Liverpool have reportedly been inquiring about the availability of Juan Manuel Vargas from Fiorentina. The Reds have had previous dealings with the Florence-based Serie A club, as Fiorentino looked to sign Alberto Aquilani on loan earlier in the summer window.

The deal for Aquilani grew cold as the Viola could not match the demands of Liverpool, and the move was called off, with Aquilani heading to AC Milan instead.

Now it would appear that Liverpool could be asking Fiorentina to offer better terms this time if it is true the Reds could make the signing of Vargas their last at the death of the transfer window.

A Peruvian international, Vargas has been with the Italian club since 2008, when he joined on a €12 million fee from Catania after failing to make the grade there.

He has made 80 league appearances for the Viola, scoring 12 goals in the Serie A since making the move. His versatility to play up and down the left side from left back to left wing could be one of the main reasons that he is being scouted by the Reds.
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Transfer Deadline Rumours: 5 Possible Destinations for Wesley Sneijder

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(Bleacher Report) Wesley Sneijder looked like he could become a hot commodity this summer when Manchester United started to chase his signature.

For several weeks he was at the top of their want list behind the already wrapped-up deals for Ashley Young, Phil Jones and David de Gea.

Then the deal suddenly seemed to just wade away as Sir Alex Ferguson began to distance the club more and more from the speculation over the Dutchman.

Mainly I believe that Ferguson has been, and rightfully so after this opening month, very happy with his youthful contingent in the center of midfield.

He still has many veterans to choose from with Ryan Giggs, Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher all still on the roster.

Now it is still up for grabs whether the Inter Milan playmaker will move before Wednesday or stay put......Click to see Slideshow.


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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.

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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.

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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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Alberto Aquilani Could Be Great for Arsenal but Milan Are on the Brink

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(Bleacher Report)Liverpool's Alberto Aquilani transfer saga has been in the wings from those surrounding Cesc Fabregas, Luka Modric and Samir Nasri. With him looking destined to make a return to Italy, it is still interesting to look at him as still having more to offer the English Premier League.

His first season in the league for Liverpool was unfairly criticized in many ways. Most fans and pundits alike made him out to be the next Xabi Alonso for the Reds. The problem is that there really is only one Xabi Alonso.

With unfair belief loaded on his back, anything he did that was different than the Reds beloved Spanish playmaker would have done made him a poor signing. However, he had flashes of brilliance in the brief time he actually got to make his claim to a midfield spot.

Rafael Benitez's departure further unsettled the Roman, and new boss Roy Hogdson was quick to ship him off to Juventus on loan when the Reds could really have used him last season alongside Lucas Leiva and Raul Meireles when Steven Gerrard went down.

In total he has only gotten 28 appearances for the Reds with two goals to his name and he has had no time to show his quality now that he is healthy.

Arsene Wenger could take advantage of the highly talented Italian at a cut rate if he wished, and at only 27 years old the Azurri International still has plenty of gas in the tank.

Aquilani also has the age left to grow with Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere and Alex Song. He could form a lethal partnership with Robin Van Persie as both like to drift between midfield and attack.

That characteristic of the two in combination would possibly ease the problems of no one being in position for Theo Walcott's crosses if Aquilani pushed into the center forward role when RVP had his roving moments backwards.

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Mauro Zarate Could Be the Next Attacker to Join Arsenal

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(Bleacher Report)SS Lazio and Argentine forward Mauro Zarate has been linked with a move to Arsenal since early January during last season. However, a move is yet to have materialized.

Given the recent sale of Cesc Fabregas, it could prove that a real attempt to lure the player away from Rome just might be in the works.

Zarate has some English Premier League experience when he made 14 league appearances with Birmingham City during a loan move in the 2007-08 season. He scored four goals for the side during his time in England.

His success on loan in a major league was largely to thank for his move to SS Lazio where he has made 101 league appearances scoring 25 goals. His attacking prowess and creative instinct would be welcomed under Arsene Wenger.

Currently the player is still on holiday from Italy but his links are being played down by his agent. However, the arrival of Miroslav Klose in the close season could see the youngster look elsewhere for playing time and career advancement.

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Roman Midfielder Could Still Be a Main Target for Sir Alex Ferguson

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(Bleacher Report)AS Roma holding midfielder Daniele De Rossi has been on the Red Devils Radar for several months now. The player believed to be valued between £14 and £20 million is yet to be a formal target for United as there are no reports of an officially launched bid.

However, his skill set is something that the current United squad is lacking and has been without since Owen Hargreaves last fully fit season in 2008.

Rossi is a born and bred Roman but his recent negative personal experiences over the past several years have rendered him at times out of sorts in the Eternal city, and he could be looking for a way out with England his primary intended destination.

Chelsea have also looked at him as a possible replacement for Michael Essien who is becoming more and more injury prone which is threatening his ability to be the world class box to box midfielder that made him famous in a Blues kit.

Manchester City have also placed their name in the hat, but it looks like they are about to seal the deal for Arsenal's Samir Nasri.

Despite all the rumors AS Roma are not about to let the player leave if they have anything to say about it.

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Roma Keeper Alexander Doni the Possible New Back-Up to Pepe Reina

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(Bleacher Report) After failing to secure Brad Friedel last week with the American accepting a move to Tottenham over Liverpool, Kenny Dalglish is back in the market searching for a new full-time backup to Pepe Reina.

It looks like he has found the man he wants in Roma's Brazilian keeper Alexander Doni. After loosing his permanent place in the Roma line-up last season he is looking for an out from the Eternal City, and Liverpool could be just that.

Brad Jones whom was signed last season by Roy Hodgson to be the back-up spent more time in the reserves and on-loan than in that role and he is available for transfer and could be a possible make weight in the opposite direction or could be sold outright.

Doni at 31-years of age is still in his good days and would make an excellent experienced back-up as opposed to Jones whom has not seen competition at the high levels as Doni.

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Bojan Krkic Linked with Moves to Arsenal or Liverpool

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(Bleacher Report) Twenty-year-old Barcelona attacker Bojan Krkic appears to be on his way out of the Nou Camp. Rated as a highly talented striker, the young player is growing constantly frustrated in Barcelona as he is primarily relegated to substitute appearances.

Honestly, does he think he is Lionel Messi or David Villa or something?

No offense towards the player, he is ready to move to a club where he can attempt to get regular first team action and grown his game. He is linked heavily with Arsenal and Liverpool at the moment, but I truly don't see either of those teams handing over a boatload of first-team appearances either when the Reds have Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez up front, and Robin Van Persie and Marouane Chamakh lead the line for the Gunners.

It will remain to be seen where he lands, but I am guessing it will be with an Italian or upper mid-table La Liga team in the long run.

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Aquilani Set to Return as a Red as Juventus Move Looks Uncertain

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(Bleacher Report) After months of speculation it now seems official that Alberto Aquilani will return to Anfield to start his third season under contract as a Red. It remains to be seen if he will stay with the club, but Kenny Dalglish's statements of last month seem to make me believe he will at least start the season at Liverpool.

To Dalglish, Aquilani will be like a new signing, and it may be just the kind of new start the Roman born midfielder could use in England as he made some great displays in the last half of the 2009-2010 season before he was shipped off on loan this year by Roy Hodgson.

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Liverpool FC: The Alberto Aquilani Question, Use Him or Sell Him?

Italian Playmaker's Future is Remains Undecided

by Thomas Atzenhoffer on The Bleacher Report
April 1, 2011

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Alberto Aquilani was purchased for Liverpool in August of 2009 by Rafael Benitez, believed to be the replacement for Real Madrid bound midfield maestro Xabi Alonso. The Roma born and bred 25-year-old was thought to be more than adequate to fill the boots of their beloved Spanish engineer.

However, the Italian arrived with an ankle injury that would keep him out for months. After a previous season in which the Reds have just nearly missed the Premier League Title in Second Place behind Manchester United with their best finish in years a lot of belief and expectations were placed on his shoulders.

With a £20 Million price tag, "Il Principino," was expected to be the second coming. But this to many proved not to be the case. Brought it to be a deep setting playmaker, the Italian was more keen to get forward and in many matches he proved to be quite effective for the Reds.....READ MORE ON THE BLEACHER REPORT

Palermo Trio: The Rise of Javier Pastore, Josip Illcic and Armin Bacinovic

Three Palermo Starlets shoulder the Rise of the Aquile.

by Rhydon Atzenhoffer
March 17, 2011

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Palermo finished fifth last season to tie their highest table position since achieving promotion to Serie A in 2004. The Aquile (Eagles) have been in fine form this season, aside from a recent five game slide.

Their last five games have included four losses where they were held scoreless, and the team has not registered a goal since their 2-4 loss to Fiorentina back on February 13th. Over this same time period, Palermo has allowed 13 goals against, and has seen a dramatic slide in their table position, now knocked down to 10th. In all, they dropped 15 potential points, vital games lost that could have had them sitting in fourth place had they turned them into victories, and built upon their sold defeat of Juventus on February 2nd.

Nonetheless, the young midfield including three rising stars ages 21 and 23 has been the driving force of the Sicilian club all season. The future of the club looks bright if they could hold onto them all, but the summer transfer window looms and could see at least one of them leave...........READ MORE AND START SLIDESHOW

UEFA Champions League Knockout Stage is Set

The Top 16 Teams from across Europe look to Square of and await the Knockout Stage Draw on December 17, 2010

By Rhydon Atzenhoffer
December 9, 2010

The last 16 of the UEFA Champions League have been decided. Some squeaked by, others dominated, and some surprised even the most hopeful in their campaign towards Europe's most elite club championship. With all the teams from Europe's three biggest leagues, English Premier League, Spain's La Liga, Italian Serie A, advancing the remaining qualifiers will be tested once again by Europe's finest clubs.

Tottenham Hotspur and Internazional Milan battled it out in Group A with the Lilly Whites taking the top spot in the group. Many did not predict this, nor did many predict the mercurial form of Gareth Bale to step into the spotlight in such a fashion. With the help of Spurs newcomer Rafael Van Der Vart, and midfield maestro Luka Modric, the London club look to continue their demolition of competition in the next round. Former Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez led his new charges at Inter to the second place spot and will look to continue marching on despite his squads injury problems at the back.

Despite their horrid domestic form, German Bundesliga's Shalke 04 took top honors of Group B. The club will look to continue their European success in the light of a struggling league campaign despite the ranks of Klaas Jan-Huntelaar, legendary Raul, and captain fantastic goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. French side and prominent Champions League club Lyon continue onto the knockout stages through their second place finish.

Sir Alex Ferguson's Red Devils of Manchester United cruised through to the second round atop of Group C. The Rooney saga of the early season seemed to have little affect on the wildly successful Scot's charges. Spainish side Valencia also had a relative dominant group stage and advanced by a margin of five points ahead of third place Rangers whom will have to ply their trade in the Europa League.

Barcelona and FC Copenhagen were the advances from Group D as both moved on with comfortable margins. The Danish club were nearly able to shock the dominant Spanish side but only managed a draw that was not deserved by the Catalonian Giants in any form, and Copenhagen will have to put up that same kind of challenge against whomever they face over their two legged tie.

Group E produced some fine matches and out of the frenzy. German Champions Bayern Munich advances in first place while Italian slumpers AS Roma side the coattails of success into the knockout stages. Chelsea crushed nearly all in their path on the way to winning Group F while Marseilles and Spartak Moscow fought till the final day to see whom would move on with the French side taking the honors and Moscow dropping to the second tier Europa League.

Spanish Giants Real Madrid under Jose Mourinho obliterated Group G with a draw against AC Milan thanks to Mourinho's only fear, Fillipo Inzaghi. The Serie A table toppers took the second prize with an 8 point gap behind the Madrid wrecking crew, barely staving off Ajax Amsterdam. They will hope for better performances in the Knockout Stage or else they will be set for a quick return home to the peninsula.

Group H saw Shakhtar Donetsk advance from the top stop while Arsenal had to punch their ticket to the next round on the very last day. Arsene Wenger's men are in fine form at the moment and with the timely return to health of Robin Van Persie, whom captained their 3-1 win over Partizan Belgrade to see them through, the London club may be hitting health and form at the right time.

The draw for the knockout round is set for December 17th and we will await the match-ups with great anticipation. It will be very interesting to see what happens with the draw and this could prove to be one of the best knockout stages of the last few years.