Iver

NEWS! Tomorrow's people claim we have agreed to sell him to Fiorentina for, wait for it, seven million! Great deal if true, now let's get spending a few quid.

This has been denied by Roberto Moar. I think we are actively negotiating for Ramirez though. Portuguese paper "Record" linking us with Gaitan from Benfica for 18 million. Both top players and either would add hugely to our team in terms of creativity and flair.

They were horribly burned with last Summers transfers mate, and I think they have learned their lesson, especially after Downing. I would predict that all our "major" signings will be under 25 years old this transfer window, and that there is no way we will pay double figures for any player who is over 25. Wages on offer wont be lavish either - Sigurdsson saga is testament to that it would seem.

Ramirez is the player I really want. In another year or two I think he could be a superstar, and he is currently "gettable" at a reasonable price, and not an unrealistic target. I think our Uruguayan connections could swing this one for us if we really want him. Whole thing very similar to Suarez transfer - we were so lucky to land him when we did, and we would probably get almost double what we paid for him if we sold him now. Ramirez could be the number 10 playmaker / creative flair player we have been crying out for for the past decade.

No way FSG would part with anywhere near £10 million for a 29 yr old surely? Goes against their whole moneyball strategy. Dempsey is a tidy player, and would be a useful addition to the squad, but I would not pay more than £5-6 million for him considering his age and fact that he is in last year of his contract.

Agree 100% - were he not on a free I would not give him a second thought either - he is "only" 26 though.

On a free transfer, strictly as a squad player - fourth choice striker, replacement for Dirk, Kalou would be acceptable. He has scored his share of goals in fairness. We need to be shrewd in the market this Summer - I think there is something in this link.

Benitez approached this evening if media reports are to be believed (Mirror).

A few days ago Balague stated that FSG had decided to give Kenny another season.

Massive appointment IF true. Oversaw the current Barca reign. Fingers crossed.

Phew!

Is AVB just your gut instinct mate, or have you got it on authority?

You heard anything about this Jackson Martinez bloke mate????

I know little about him mate but very prolific in South American Football apparently. Age 25, very pacy, and great finisher, so they say. Fee being quoted is 6.5 million. Sounds good if true - hopefully might be another Hernandes type signing. Guy called Jorge Zambrano, supposedly a reputable Mexican sports journalist, claims we have effectively signed him, having made a downpayment on the fee.

Reports emerging tonight that we have agreed a deal to sign Colombian striker Jackson Martinez. Dubious sources but I recall us being linked heavily with him in January so maybe something in this.

Read what I posted again please - it is not a knee jerk - without CL the implications are massive going forward.

I hoped for reasonable debate but knew I would get this reaction. Close it so.

Is there an argument for a change of manager. And please dont abuse me. I LOVE Kenny Dalglish - he is, and always will be a LFC legend. But I cannot help but think that if Rafa for example, presided over a campaign which began with a large net spend in the Summer, spent a combined seventy odd million on Henderson, Carroll, and Downing, and his team were out of contention for even fourth spot by early March, there would be absolute outrage amongst us.

Quotes tonight from Jelavic's father stating that he is "holding out for us" and "most likely to sign for us". Just incase todays game has not done enough to dampen your spirits.

Looks like it is a genuine article but from a questionable source. I would take him, but we should not pay over £15 million.

FSG are very intelligent businessmen - they will be fully aware of the repercussions of finishing outside the top four. You may as well finish sixteenth as fifth - the thought of the Europa league fixtures on a Thursday night turns my stomach and brings back horrible memories of Hodgson. That is why I fully expect another big spend next month - I can see Suarez bending the ear of Gaston Ramirez, and hopefully some top quality striker will be recruited too.

Buy a proven goalscorer in the January window and we have a real chance, but as it stands, I see Chelsea and Arsenal as more likely to finish above us. I think the top three places are already gone - one of three from us Arsenal and Chelsea for fourth. January window is crucial.

On the basis of what we have seen so far this season, it is increasingly obvious that we are lacking..... 1. A proven goalscorer, a "finisher" a la Fowler or Torres (dare I say it) in their prime, to partner Suarez, and take the goalscoring burden off him. 2. A creative pacy player, preferably two footed, primarily to play on the right, but versatile, and capable of offering that spark of genius like David Silva does for City - Hazard would be ideal, but is likely to be hugely sought after. I feel that if we are to get seriously involved in the shake up for fourth, both the above are imperative. Neither player will come cheap though, and if we are to sign a player of the calibre of Hazard, you are talking thirty plus million, hence an outlay of upwards of fifty to sixty million to land the two players I have outlined above. And when you consider the return FSG have had on their seventy million Carroll / Henderson / Downing investment so far, I don't think any of us could hold it against them if they prove to be reluctant to splash big money again in January.

True, 25m is totally unrealistic. Would we take £15? (20 million loss - shudder)

This one has Robbie Keane written all over it. Unless things change markedly in the next few weeks, I can see the barcodes in for Carroll in January. If they offered in around 25 million, I think we would be foolish not to seriously consider it. It is increasingly apparent that Kenny has issues with him. For all his qualities, Suarez is not a "goalscorer" as such - his finishing ability is perhaps his greatest weakness. We need a modern day Fowler or Rush, or dare I say it Torres (i.e. the player of three seasons ago). If cutting our losses with Carroll helps bring that about, I would be all for it.