Has anything changed on him or is he still just waiting for Juve to actually fork over the funds? It seems he is very happy to stay in Italy and I do not see him coming back. Would not mind if he did though, thought he needed more looks. I remember hearing something in the whole Epic Swindle stuff about him not playing earlier due to clauses in the contract that would set off how much we had to pay Roma? And something with that 90th minute substitution against Debrecen? ( or was it Urinea?) set off some clause and that was why Rafa had subbed him. Cheeky
Italy midfielder Alberto Aquilani's agent has admitted that he is still unsure over where the player will be this summer. The playmaker has spent the past season on loan at Juventus from Liverpool, but their first option to sign the 27-year-old on a permanent basis expired on Sunday. It is believed that the Bianconeri have refused to pay the asking price demanded by the Reds for the player's permanent signature, opening up an opportunity for other clubs to pursue him. Reds boss Kenny Dalglish has previously indicated that he would have Aquilani back at Anfield if he had the opportunity, but no decision has been made yet. Liverpool signed Aquilani for a fee believed to be up to ã20million from Roma in 2009 as a replacement for Xabi Alonso, but injuries and a lack of fitness severely hindered his single campaign on Merseyside. Former Reds boss Roy Hodgson let Aquilani join Juve to give him regular first-team football, but it appears the Italy international wants to stay in his homeland. The player's agent Franco Zavaglia however denied any link with Inter Milan, AC Milan or former club Roma. "I don't know if there are still possibilities for him to remain at Juventus, I cannot say, you have to ask to Juventus," Zavaglia told calciomercatoweb.it. "I had to do everything I did in September, now it depends on them and I cannot talk about figures. "Aquilani is a Liverpool player and will possibly return to England, but it is clear that, if there was the opportunity to stay in Italy he'd stay here. "Inter Milan and AC Milan for the player? No, currently there aren't these opportunities. A return to Roma? There is nothing." By the way, I've just copied and pasted that off a Sky Sports News article. Some interesting points in that article. Now the first option to sign him has expired, other clubs could come in for him therefore increasing the money we could get for him.
I'm really undecided with him, he has obvious quality but is he suited to the more physical PL. We also have plenty of players that can play in the middle and could do with his money to buy a couple of wingers.
I think he will come back for a bit, Kenny will check on him and then make a decision to keep or sell. I would not mind if his money went to hazard, that would make that 20 mil not look so steep!
I say give him another shot. He never had a fair crack at it. He never got match fitness under us, plus he was introduced when we were absolute ****e (for the first time), under Benitez. I'll never forget those days of losing in the league cup to Arsenal. Just knew we were going to lose. Anyway let him have another go. I mean we might as well for 17 million.
If he comes back fit and is a direct replacement for Mereiles when Mereiles needs to be left out,and then if he still can't settle,and he has performed incredibly well then sell him.He may do an ''Alonso'' and increase his value.Do you remember in 2008,Juventus were willing to pay ã16 million for Alonso and at the last minute Rafa pulled the plug.The following year Liverpool sold Alonso to Real Madrid for ã34 million after Alonso had an outstanding season.So supposing Aquilani has an outstanding season in 2011/2012,we could sell him for a decent profit that summer.
I hope we've made it simple for Juve. They pay, or he comes back. I'd like him back, but if someone comes in with ã14m tomorrow, I wouldn't be upset.
I agree with that,He would however be competing with Mereiles in the starting 11,now would it be such a bad thing to have two players of the calibre of Mereiles in the squad when one needs to be left out for any particular reason.
The offer was ã12m, the asking price was ã15m-ã16m. Rafa pulled it because they wouldn't pay the asking price, which was already low. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/may/22/liverpool.juventus I think Kenny was just playing politics in saying he'd welcome him back. Obviously he would but I don't see it happening. There are obviously some big names earmarked and the rest will be younger players than Aqua at 27.
I keep reading 'Juventus are interested in....' If they're interested in so many players (albeit reportedly) then surely they've got a bit of cash to spend. The way I see it they're going on like they haven't got enough money to buy Aquilani let alone these others. It's not as if they've enquired about him and we've suddenly said 'ã30m' or something ridiculous. They've known the price from the get go, and it's a very reasonable price at that.
To me that means that Juve have money but want to try and get him on the cheap as they think we're desperate for the cash. The simple answer if they don't want him tell us now, if they do pay the money that was agreed when he went there on loan. Personally I would tell them to **** off and bring him back to Anfield. Thought he was a decent player anyway and I'm sure KK could fit him in for a season to try and get his value up.
Typical Juventus cheapskates. They tried something similar with Alonso in 2008.Its possible that Kenny wants Aquilani back as much as he wants,Insua,Degen,El Zhar,Darby,Konchesky back...he doesn't. However,I have come up with a reason why the selling fee is actually so low. Liverpool only paid Roma €12 million in cash.The rest was based on success and included a 5% sell on fee. The less Liverpool sell Aquilani for,the less Roma get,as they cannot get paid for successes as Aquilani hasn't been one. Supposing Liverpool sell Aquilani for ã14 million(€16 million) then Liverpool will make a €3 million profit and thats including the ã700k sell on fee.
I would say so,they are attempting to bargain and they have every right to,however I expect Liverpool to dig their heels in and and insist their price will not be lowered,and they have every right to do that too.
A bit more information about Aqua from Kenny in his press conference today. Kenny Dalglish claims there is a 'distinct possibility' Alberto Aquilani could return to play for Liverpool next season. The Italy midfielder was brought to Anfield by Rafael Benitez in 2009 but after an injury-ravaged first season was loaned back to Serie A. He has enjoyed an impressive campaign with Juventus, managing 33 appearances and getting back into international contention. And Dalglish told his pre-match press conference: "There's a distinct possibility he could be back here. He's a quality player. He got off to a bad start here with his injuries and never really got going after missing pre-season. "He went out on loan and has done very well over there. "If he was to come back here, for me that would be like a new face coming in. I don't know of any deadline, I wasn't privy to the conversations that were had. " Full link here: http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest-news/kd-on-aqua-future-and-transfers Kenny wanting him back or Liverpool trying to pressure Juventus into raising their offer?
I reckon its 50/50 that he'll come back. This is my reason.Kenny hasn't had a chance to have a look at him.Some of the players he has binned he's either looked at(Jovanovic,Konchesky,Poulsen) or they don't want to come back(El Zhar,Insua,Degen).Aquilani is different as Kenny hasn't had the chance to look at him. Secondly players fit into three catagories.They are overseas players,they are English or they are under 21. When Whatshisname and Babel left that meant one spot was left free for an overseas player as Andy Carroll replaced Konchesky as the English player.Aquilani is still on Liverpools books so he could be that extra overseas player. There could be three more spaces if Jovanovic,Soto and Poulsen leave.4 if Aurelio also goes.Or 3 if Gulasci replaces Brad Jones and he's moved on. Because Nathan Eccleston and David Amoo are both under 21,they could both be moved back in,as there is no limit on the number of under 21s that can be used.
Just thought I'd bump this. Apparently he'll be in Manchester tomorrow night for Neville's testimonial against Juventus. Reckon he'll be going back to Italy after? Presumably he'll pop in for talks while he's in the area.
First time poster here! Think this is the site ill be using from now on! Would like to see AA back with us but i think it is highly unlikely due to the fact that he seems really happy in Italy, hes in view now and this has meant he is back in the international fold. Id imagine also that after being here a year then back to italy he wouldnt want to move for the 3rd time in 3 years. It is a shame because hes a classy player. We've got Roy Hodgson to blame for losing this player.
That's an excellent point, one I hadn't thought of. If he doesn't pop in for a chat, a cup of tea & a sticky bun, then that will, as they say, be that.
