I dont know if theres been a thread about this or not but theres a rumour on the gossip coloum on bbc that liverpool might offer 12m for micheal bastos. I know its from caughtoffside and they talk alot of **** out of their ass's but if this was to be true then wow. Bastos is amazing in my opinion one of the best wingers, and would take teams apart, especially for 12m. i think if you guys got him at that price, then liverpool would in my opinion quite confortably take 4th spot. this is the article "Liverpool are considering a bid for highly-rated Lyon winger Michel Bastos. The 27-year-old Brazilian say a proposed deal to Juventus collapse and now Liverpool are prepared to meet the £12m asking price for the player. Bastos can play on the left-wing or at left-back, two positions Reds boss Kenny Dalglish is eager to strengthen ahead of next season. The Brazil flyer has earned rave reviews for his performances in Ligue 1, and French sources claim the Anfield club have already made contact with Lyon. Dalglish is determined to sign Bastos, having endured a frustrating summer so far despite the arrival of Jordan Henderson from Sunderland for £20million."
There may be something in this,as Damien Comolli has come out and re-iterated that his and Kenny's overall strategy has to do with strengthening positions of weakness and they are not solely dependent on British players,they will cast their net further.They may lose patience with Aston Villa and Downing and go elsewhere.Some reports suggest that unless Downing hands in that written transfer request making his intentions known that he wants to join Liverpool and Liverpool only will Liverpool act.However other reports suggest that Liverpool will offer an increased bid of £18 million.I reckon they should bide their time and wait and see does Downing hand in a request...They could and this is could get him for less,and this will force Villas hand.As it stands Villa hold all the cards.Their position weakens more in Liverpools favour as soon as Downing hands in that request.
The strategy isn't to buy solely youth. In certain areas of the pitch (namely what they call 'problem positions') they'll look at the best available, regardless of age/price, within reason. That means they wouldn't look at a 30 + year old, or someone with a ridiculous price tag like Sanchez, but something in between.
