Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has refused to comment on claims in this morning’s papers that club co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett have told him he has only £1.5million left to spend in the transfer market.
The Mirror was one of several newspapers who reported today:
After talks with the Yanks, he [Benitez] has been told there is only a miserly sum available – which will not even buy one player, never mind the two he desires.
But the Spanish manager refused to be pulled into the discussion with journalists this afternoon.
He told Sky Sports News, ‘œI don’t want to talk about money, sorry,’
‘œWe are always analysing the market, it depends on the injuries sustained, and we will always work with the departments to see what is available.’
This summer has seen seven squad players leave the club, and the arrival of two new faces:
IN: Alberto Aquilani < Roma (£18m)
IN: Glen Johnson < Portsmouth (£17.5m)
Total: £35.5m
OUT: Xabi Alonso > Real Madrid (£30m)
OUT: Paul Anderson > Nottm Forest (£250,000)
OUT: Sebastien Leto > Panathanaikos (£3m)
OUT: Sami Hyypia > Bayer Leverkusen (Free Transfer)
OUT: Jack Hobbs > Leicester City (£400,000)
OUT: Jermaine Pennant > Real Zaragoza (Bosman)
OUT: Adam Hammill > Barnsley (Undisclosed)
Total: £33.65m
The total of Benitez’s spending this summer actually outweighs the money made through selling players.
However, if you take into account Benitez also sold striker Robbie Keane in January for £12million plus add-ons, there should be more left in the transfer kitty.
Or has Benitez spent unwisely? Was the £17.5million spent on Glen Johnson justified? And £7million for Andrea Dossena last summer? Discuss with other fans in the forums.
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