We're after Raul

[Serko]

If we are interested in him(and get him) I can't see Morientes leaving.

 

Mirror article

 

 

12 April 2006

EXCLUSIVE: RAFA WANTS TO BE REUNITED WITH RAUL

By Martin Lipton

LIVERPOOL manager Rafael Benitez wants Real Madrid's Raul to spearhead a new-look forward line next season.

 

But he will refuse to become involved in any bidding war as he believes the Spanish club will let their only home-grown "galactico" leave for nothing.

 

Benitez is likely to off-load Djibril Cisse, Fernando Morientes and Robbie Fowler in the summer, keeping just Peter Crouch of his current attacking quartet.

 

And Raul, who Benitez has known since his spell in charge of the Real Madrid B team in the mid-1990s, is the man the Anfield boss believes can bring an extra dimension to his side.

 

The Spain international has become a huge favourite with the fans in his 12 years at the Bernabeu and his 51 goals in the Champions League have made him the leading scorer in competition's history.

 

But Real are prepared to let him go, along with other big names, because new club president Fernando Martin feels he needs to signal a fresh beginning.

 

 

 

The striker, who turns 29 this summer, is the first name on the potential hit-list under a "deep renovation" policy drafted by the new regime.

 

 

Real's biggest problem in getting rid of Raul is his £112,000-a-week wages, which few clubs could afford, particularly if they had to pay a hefty transfer fee for a player believed to be passed his peak.

 

 

But a source close to Benitez said: "Rafa hasn't the cash to pay silly money for Raul and if he makes any sort of move now then it will become unfeasible.

 

 

"But it does seem Real may be looking to change, with Martin thinking the club can't go forward unless it takes some major steps.

 

 

"And if that means they're ready to let him go for nothing or a nominal fee, as a mark of respect, to clear the way for new players, Rafa could be able to entice him to Liverpool."

 

 

Raul faces an uncertain future in Madrid, with the club having signed three strikers - Brazilians Robinho and Julio Baptista and Italian Antonio Cassano - in the past year.

 

[IgPig]

hope not think he's past it.

 

Mirror also reckon we still want Victor.

[McBain]

2 problems with the article. Rafa must surely feel that signing aged Real Madrid strikers whose best years are behind them is a mistake he can only make once

 

And why would they let him go for free?

 

Also Martin Lipton is a nonce

Edited April 12, 2006 by Mcbain

[IgPig]

That's 3 things.

[McBain]

I added a third. A fourth would be the fact that Raul's last good performance for Madrid was about 4 years ago

[magneto]

The word "Exclusive" is used too frequently nowadays.

[Chili Palmer]

I added a third. A fourth would be the fact that Raul's last good performance for Madrid was about 4 years ago

 

I'm not sure about that, before his injury he was playing very well. If he is free then we would be silly not to be interested.

[Eiler99]

Ahh, so that's who Rafa was talking about the other day when he said something about a young, 23 year old striker with pace and... Oh. Wait.

[Cunny]

well at least we have this summer's Figo transfer saga

[DJM]

We are fast becoming Los Geriatricos

[Kahnee]

I added a third. A fourth would be the fact that Raul's last good performance for Madrid was about 4 years ago

 

A fifth would be that, given his recent statement that he was worth every cent of his £112,000 a week pay packet, he's unlikely to take a pay cut

 

And that's an exclusive

[Mike]

raul was superb before his injury - back to his best.

[beejay]

If we did go for Raul - which I doubt - that would spell the end of Robbie.

[floyd]

Someone from the Mirror has been reading Figaro's post from yesterday

[Spanish_fan]

I seriously expect not.

 

I pray not.

 

Raul is totally finished for an elite club. If the rumour is true how does that fit with the "quality striker with PACE" that Benitez is hoping to get?.

[Spoone]

I added a third. A fourth would be the fact that Raul's last good performance for Madrid was about 4 years ago

 

and the fifth problem with the article would be that Shevchenko is now the leading scorer in Champions League history. Or did Raul score one at the weekend when no one was looking?

[David Hodgson]

DH heard anything of interest lately from N?

 

Even better than that : I can reveal that a young argentinian, next Maradona type, has spent the last few days in Liverpool finding out about the place. My source is my no.2, who actually met the lad last night.

[floyd]

DH heard anything of interest lately from N?

 

[jimmylibel]

Even better than that : I can reveal that a young argentinian, next Maradona type, has spent the last few days in Liverpool finding out about the place. My source is my no.2, who actually met the lad last night.

 

And the forum just went

 

[smokescreen]

Even better than that : I can reveal that a young argentinian, next Maradona type, has spent the last few days in Liverpool finding out about the place. My source is my no.2, who actually met the lad last night.

 

Aurelio

 

[Mike]

you f***ing beauty.

call me when you get a moment. i feel a drink coming on.

[Ombudsam]

I added a third. A fourth would be the fact that Raul's last good performance for Madrid was about 4 years ago

 

That's not true. he was good at the end of last season and at the start of this. I still don't won't him.

[G Richards]

Aguero - now there's a talented lad with his best years ahead of him. I'd be well happy if we signed him. I also feel we need another striker in the Torres/Kuyt mold, rather than Raul, who's best years are behind him.

[smokescreen]

Even better than that : I can reveal that a young argentinian, next Maradona type, has spent the last few days in Liverpool finding out about the place. My source is my no.2, who actually met the lad last night.

 

Doesnt this also deserve it's own thread???

[Guest kopash]

most certianly deseres its own thread. Wowsers. Please be true.

Edited April 12, 2006 by kopash