Raul linked

[Cunny]

2 or 3 years ago I'd have been excited by the prospect of Raul but now I'm not sure he's what we need or if he'd regain his best form.

 

http://217.158.112.238/vsite/vcontent/cont...ws-item,00.html

 

Liverpool are considering a shock summer move for Real Madrid legend Raul, writes Kevin Hatchard.

 

Reds boss Rafa Benitez is aware that he must recruit a natural goalscorer this summer, and with top targets such as Valencia's David Villa out of reach, the Spaniard will have to be a touch more imaginative in the summer window.

 

Raul has struggled with injury this term, and has found himself on the bench more often than not under current coach Juan Roman Lopez Caro. Despite his recent troubles, he remains one of the finest goalscorers of his generation, helping Los Merengues to secure three Champions League titles and four La Liga championships.

 

Real would not sell such a talismanic figure against his wishes, but clubcall understands that club president Fernando Martin would not stand in the player's way should he wish to leave the Santiago Bernabeu. Benitez has excellent contacts at Real and is well aware of Raul's situation.

 

Although Liverpool have progressed well this season, Benitez is acutely aware that his strikeforce has been far from clinical, and the likes of Djibril Cisse and Florent Sinama-Pongolle could well be offloaded.

 

Peter Crouch will be retained after a largely impressive first season, and Robbie Fowler is likely to be awarded a new deal at the end of the season, but further firepower is needed for Liverpool to maintain a genuine Premiership title challenge.

 

A move for Raul could hinge on the continued presence at Anfield of Fernando Morientes. The two are firm friends, and Raul has often visited Liverpool to see his former Real Madrid team-mate.

 

The acquisition of Raul could re-energise a hitherto listless Morientes, who has managed just seven goals in 37 Premiership appearances.

 

Much depends on whether Benitez sees Raul as a player who could improve the squad at Anfield, as his recent injury problems have to be taken into account. Another factor will be the fee demanded by Real, as Benitez has limited transfer funds available.

[Spike]

Much depends on whether Benitez sees Raul as a player who could improve the squad at Anfield, as his recent injury problems have to be taken into account

 

 

Sounds like a poor man's Robbie

 

to be honest, I wouldn't want him. Not entirely sure what he'd add to the team, especially given the pace of the game here, age etc.

[bazz]

Don't really want him - would only be an excuse to keep Mori, who to be fair is not up to it anymore.

 

They would have been great together 3/4 years ago, but time has moved on.

 

Pass

[Guest Kev]

Can't see it. Raul is a regular visitor to Anfield to see Nando and that's it. Raul and Fowler are very very similar players and I couldn't see them both at the same club.

 

I hope it's only Robbie here next season, but if both were here then so be it.

[Clay Davis]

it would make no sense.

 

rafa should look at his last two seasons, quickly.

[Dominus Maximus]

Buying Raul now would be as buying Morientes then... Let's just stick with plan A... Go get Heskey back...

[Guest Kev]

Buying Raul now would be as buying Morientes then... Let's just stick with plan A... Go get Heskey back...

 

[nitski]

On his day Raul is better than Crouch, Cisse, Morientes, Flo Po and Fowler. He is an ancient 28 isn't he?

 

If we got shot of Morientes or Flo Po and Cisse and replaced them with Raul and A.Nother I wouldn't be too miffed. Fowler should get a year imho given his ability, commitment, cheapness, familiarity with the setup and lack of a 'bedding in' period.

[jon_hall]

Wasn't this touted around by the mirror last summer, as i think i read it while in Athens in June after the CL final.

[George Costanza]

Wasn't this touted around by the mirror last summer, as i think i read it while in Athens in June after the CL final.

 

yep. when Raul visited Nando. Press put 2 & 2 together and got 5. Never gonna happen. Besides Morientes is more likely to leave than stay.

[fyds]

Doubt it would happen - the only reason to bring Raul in is if Morientes is definitely staying and Rafa wants to see if he can spark the goalfest that was Raul and Morien=ntes together - who did have a Toshack-Keegan like awareness of each other.

 

I think Rafa will be after young and very specific striker types for his gameplan.

[George Costanza]

Kuyt will replace Morientes.

Edited April 5, 2006 by coltmanaman

[Paul]

Lunacy, the bloke is passed his best.

[Guest Red Mist]

Washed-up has-been. Slow, weak, don't see what he offers nowadays. Would rather have Morientes.

[whitewidow]

with only 5 league games left, is it not time for an official summer transfer sticky thread?

 

mods?

[5InIstanbul]

Why would we want to buy an imitation Robbie Fowler when we already have the real thing?

[Guest ritchie_50]

The likes of Raul and Ronaldo at Madrid shouldn't be touched with a barge pole. Massive wages and massive egos and well passed it. They'd be another Morientes but without the work rate. Robbie might not be the player he was but he's still got the hunger and desperately wants to play for the club.

Edited April 6, 2006 by ritchie_50

[Stanley Leisure]

2006's Jari Litmanen - nice idea but won't give us what we need.

Edited April 6, 2006 by Stanley Leisure

[Eiler99]

Talk is that he along with 2-3 others will be told that they can leave in the summer...not that that means he's coming here.

 

Zidane and Ronaldo?

[Eskimo]

Zidane and Ronaldo?

 

Zidane is retiring so yeah....the others I would guess are Salgado, Helguera possibly Carlos, whatever I see a clear out of sorts coming.

[jimmylibel]

Zidane is retiring so yeah....the others I would guess are Salgado, Helguera possibly Carlos, whatever I see a clear out of sorts coming.

 

Carlos is on his way back to Brazil isn't he - supposedly been on his way since very early on this season. Would have thought Graveson is the most likely player to leave Real this summer, following by Carlos, followed by Ronaldo.

[Eskimo]

Carlos is on his way back to Brazil isn't he - supposedly been on his way since very early on this season. Would have thought Graveson is the most likely player to leave Real this summer, following by Carlos, followed by Ronaldo.

 

I don't know mate your guess is as good as mine like I said I see a pretty big clear out on the cards.....

[Eiler99]

Zidane is retiring so yeah....the others I would guess are Salgado, Helguera possibly Carlos, whatever I see a clear out of sorts coming.

 

Oh yeah, forgot about Zidane. I can see both Garcia and Gravesen leaving if they manage to sign a new midfielder or two.