trabelsi,tunisian

[autumn319]

Liverpool monitor Tunisian stalwart

Jun 30 2006

By Nick Smith, Daily Post

 

LIVERPOOL are pondering a move for Tunisian World Cup star Hatem Trabelsi.

The 29-year-old could provide the right-sided strengthening that manager Rafael Benitez is craving as he loses patience with Sevilla over Daniel Alves.

The Spanish club are holding firm on their valuation of £10million for the player, and unless some leeway can be found in the negotiations to get closer to Liverpool's valuation, Benitez will switch his attention to search for other options.

Like Alves, Trabelsi is a right-sided player who can operate in defence or midfield and he is now a free agent after coming to the end of his contract with Ajax at the end of the season.

The Dutch giants signed the player in 2001 after he had already made his name on the international stage with Tunisia, including playing in the 1998 World Cup in France.

He also featured in all three group games of their 2002 campaign, but the highlight of his international career came when Tunisia lifted the African Cup of Nations on their own soil in 2004.

Trabelsi endured a third consecutive group knock-out at the current World Cup, but was their most impressive performer in Germany.

Sealing a deal for the free agent means that the money Liverpool save on Alves could be used to sign Dirk Kuyt from Feyenoord.

Meanwhile, Liverpool have appointed Malcolm Elias as the Academy's new director of recruitment.

Elias held the same post at Southampton, where he played a part in England striker Theo Walcott's rise to prominence.

Chief executive Rick Parry said: "Malcolm has a fantastic track record at Southampton and an extremely good reputation.

"We've been looking to expand our recruitment department at the Academy, and this appointment is part of that. As ever, we've taken an opportunity to bring one of the best in the business to Liverpool."

Liverpool's home game with Newcastle United, originally scheduled for Wednesday, August 23, has been put back to Wednesday, September 20 with an 8pm kick-off because of Champions League qualifying rounds.

[Mike]

did you check?

[autumn319]

i only checked the latest pages of the alvès thread.

[The Hitman]

I think he'd be a great signing,personally,especially on a free.Whenever I've seen him he's looked very good,superb going forward.Would add great depth and experience to our squad!

[nitski]

Good business if we get him on a free.

[Guest Sabre]

Would be a great signing

[Ian Mc]

Agreed him and Miguel of portugal have impressed me greatly whenever i have seen them. Miguel more so, although on a bosman Trabelsi would be a good attacking option considering our budget.

 

Get him in Rafa .....

[c00p]

I take it Rafa dont rate Finnan then.

[Guest Paddy]

  c00p said:

I take it Rafa dont rate Finnan then.

 

Are you happy going through the season, especially with the amount of games we play, with just one established right back?

[Gravy]

Didn't Wenger try and buy him not long ago?

[PhilM]

Yeah, he's been linked with Arsenal for ages now. It's got to be smokescreens to give Del Nido a bit of a kick up the a***.

[Gerrardrules]

Not a good buy at all.

Been said on dutch television and confirmed by several coaches that he has a knee which is very bad and close to quit. No club wants him because he's a big risk. He wont pass a medical.

[CarraLegend]

  Gerrardrules said:

Not a good buy at all.

Been said on dutch television and confirmed by several coaches that he has a knee which is very bad and close to quit. No club wants him because he's a big risk. He wont pass a medical.

 

You wont need to worry then will you The rumours are all s**** anyway I think, no decent source has backed it up

[Gerrardrules]

Fortunately. If Rafa really was interested he would have already signed him.

Dortmunds coach Van Marwijk confirmed Trabelsi's knee is bad.

[Sion]

I doubt it'll happen, but I wouldn't say he's a big risk at the fee of £0. If he doesn't command high wages, then 15-20 games a season wouldn't be bad.

[Gerrardrules]

He won't pass a medical.

[The Hitman]

  Gerrardrules said:

Fortunately. If Rafa really was interested he would have already signed him.

Dortmunds coach Van Marwijk confirmed Trabelsi's knee is bad.

I'm sure Dortmund are really in the loop over the state of his knee.

[Guest Gascan]

Well a supposed move to Arsenal 2 seasons ago fell through because of a so called dodgy knee yet 2 full seasons on the guy is still going strong for both club and country, surely his knee couldn't be that bad could it?