BOLTON CHASE CISSE

Liverpool's hopes of securing a transfer fee for Djibril Cisse received a boost after the player’s agent confirmed Bolton Wanderers have entered the race to sign the striker.

Cisse – a £14million capture from Auxerre in 2004 – is still eager to make his loan move at Marseilles permanent, with the French side having secured Champions League football for next term. However, the flamboyant forward’s chances of extending his stay at the club he supported as a boy looked to have diminished with the Ligue One outfit’s reluctance to meet the pre-arranged £8m asking price.

Liverpool have told Marseilles, who received £17.5m from Bayern Munich for winger Franck Ribery, they will only accept a permanent deal for Cisse, and will not countenance a further loan. With the two clubs unable to reach an agreement, it has opened the door for Bolton manager Sammy Lee to pounce.

“It is true that there has been some contact with Bolton. I have met up with Sammy Lee on one occasion. He impressed me, not just as a coach, but as a person. He is a fantastic man. We are meeting Liverpool next week to find out what they want to do,” said Cisse’s representative Ranko Stojic. Bolton are also believed to favour an arrangement similar to the one which took El Hadji Diouf to the Reebok, but Benitez will now be hopeful that Bolton’s interest will force the French club’s hand, as he looks to bolster his summer war chest.

Marseilles remain confident of negotiating a reduced fee for the France international over the course of next week. “About Djibril Cisse, the negotiations should be finished early next week. We would prefer a loan but Liverpool want a definitive transfer. We are in talks about a transfer fee inferior to £8m. I have a lot of hope,” said their club president Pape Diouf.

TORRES IS REDS NUMBER ONE TARGET

Atletico Madrid skipper Fernando Torres has become Liverpool’s top target. Reds boss Rafa Benitez has made the 23-year-old striker his number one priority after learning that the Madrid club have finally agreed to part with their prize asset. But with Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal all having been linked with the international striker in the past, the Reds are keen to tie up a deal quickly.

Capturing a player of Torres’ stature would appease both Benitez and Reds’ fans who are becoming impatient at the lack of activity in the transfer market since Benitez’s bleak Athens post-mortem. Torres could cost between £24m and £27m, the release figure believed to be in the player’s contract.

Atletico Madrid have steadfastly refused to sell Torres since he burst onto the scene as one of the most exciting 17-year-old’s in European football. But a failure to qualify for next season’s UEFA Cup appears to have forced their hand. Torres has scored 82 goals in 212 league appearances for Atletico, with 14 goals in 42 international appearances.

The Spanish striker was pictured in May, bizarrely appearing to show he already wears Liverpool’s heart on his sleeve. During an Atletico match against Real Sociedad, Torres skipper’s armband came loose, revealing the Kop’s famous ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ slogan on the reverse.

MOURINHO JIBE AT ANFIELD SUCCES

Jose Mourinho has claimed that Liverpool’s illustrious history of success is just that – history.

The Chelsea manager is obviously niggled by the Anfield club’s domination in Europe and domestically down the years, and has stated that it’s his club who are now making the history. While the Chelsea boss accepts they cannot compete with Liverpool’s European heritage, he has pointed to the fact the Merseysiders have not won the English title for 17 years – and added that Chelsea made their mark in footballing folklore by winning the first FA Cup at the new Wembley.

He said: “Liverpool fans can continue to chant ‘no history’ at us but we continue to make it. They have their history, we have our history. They are a club with a history in Europe that Chelsea doesn’t have, and their history is magnificent, but I think for 17 years they don’t win one championship and we won two in the last three years. Of the 12 pieces of silverware in English football in the last three years, Chelsea won six, Liverpool two, Manchester United two and Arsenal two, so we won the same number of pieces of silverware that the other three clubs won all together. So I think we are going in the right direction. The FA Cup was a special final, an historic one, more than a normal final. It was also the end of a period when in three years, we won every competition in English football, so it was special.”

BELLAMY WANTED FOR ROLE IN ITALY

Juventus and Roma are lining up bids to take Craig Bellamy from Liverpool to Serie A next season. Juve are returning to Italy’s top flight following promotion and new manager Claudio Ranieri is believed to be considering a £10million bid to bolster his attack with the striker.

Roma, meanwhile, are set to offer 27-year-old Brazilian winger Alessandro Mancini as part of their attempt to secure Bellamy’s signature. Juventus have already been given a hands-off warning by Rafael Benitez when they eyed a move for Momo Sissoko, who is on the verge of signing an extended contract.

But the Liverpool manager is holding out for a profit on the £6m he paid to trigger Bellamy’s release clause from Blackburn Rovers last summer. Benitez needs the funds from Bellamy’s sale to finance the addition of a regular goalscorer to his squad after the Welshman failed to live up to expectations last season.

On the domestic front West Ham are favourites to land Bellamy, who only scored nine times in all competitions in his first season at Anfield. They are in the hunt for a frontman after number one target Darren Bent refused a move to Upton Park from Charlton last week and are ready to offer £9m.

Scott Carson, meanwhile, is also considering his Anfield future after admitting he needs regular first-team football to enhance his international ambitions. The goalkeeper, who beat the England Under-21 appearance record of Jamie Carragher and Gareth Barry with his 28th cap last night, impressed on loan at Charlton last season despite their relegation. Carson has been targeted by Birmingham City, Sunderland and Middlesbrough as he chases the number one slot which, due to Pepe Reina, is out of his reach at Liverpool.

REDS TO RENEW SIMAO CHASE

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is set to turn his attentions towards signing Benfica winger Simao Sabrosa after Lyon slapped a £17million price tag on Florent Malouda.

The Reds had been hoping to complete a £8million swoop for France international midfielder Malouda who has signalled his intention to move to the Premiership. But with Chelsea and Arsenal also believed to be interested in the 27-year-old, Lyon chairman Jean-Michel Aulas is keen to engineer a bidding war.

Aulas said: “I'm waiting on a call from an English club so we can sort out a meeting. The transfer could move forward if there is an offer that comes close to the price I've fixed.On player values, I seldom get it wrong and today Malouda is worth £17million.”

The Reds are unlikely to consider paying such an inflated price for Malouda, especially as Simao would be available for around £11million. The 27-year-old Portugal international has been strongly linked with a move to Anfield in the past and is again the subject of intense transfer speculation in his homeland.

Lyon and Paris Saint-Germain have made contact with the Benfica captain’s representatives but he has told them he isn’t interested in making the switch to France. England remains his preferred destination but Benfica don’t want to sell and have made it clear that it will take a big offer to prise him away.

Club president Luis Filipe Vieira said: “We are not interested in selling Simao and will only study the subject if an incredible offer arrives. At this moment we have not received anything.” Simao, who has scored 81 goals in 213 games for Benfica, is under contract under 2012.

FORLAN REDS TALK PLAYED DOWN

Diego Forlan's agent has played down talk linking the player with a possible move to Liverpool.

Reports over the weekend suggested Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez was considering bringing the former Manchester United man back to England.

It has been suggested that Benitez has turned to Forlan after being priced out of moves for top targets such as Samuel Eto'o and Carlos Tevez.

Forlan has recaptured his best form at Villarreal after arriving in the summer of 2004 following a difficult two-and-a-half-year spell at Old Trafford.

The Uruguayan, who has three years to run on his contract at Villarreal, is believed to be keen on a move back to England.

Forlan's agent Daniel Bolotnicoff says he has not had any offers from Liverpool and that Forlan's future depends on Villarreal.

"There has not been any offer from Liverpool and it's very difficult to talk about what might happen when there isn't an offer there, but things can change every day," Bolotnicoff told The Times.

"If he received a very good offer then he will think about it, but it will also depend on whether Villarreal are happy."

Liverpool have also been linked with a move for Real Zaragoza's Diego Milito after they reportedly had the Argentine player watched during last weekend's game with Real Madrid.

JUNE 10 TABLOID RUMOURS

Manchester United are hoping to sign West Ham ace Carlos Tevez - News of the World - but they could face competition from Internazionale -The People.

Liverpool are reportedly turning their attentions to Villarreal's Diego Forlan after being priced out of a move for Samuel Eto'o - The News of the World.

Newcastle are hoping to beat Arsenal to the signing of Auxerre defender Bakari Sagna - The News of the World.

Reading have joined Aston Villa in the chase for West Brom playmaker Jason Koumas - The News of the World.

Craig Bellamy is being lined up for a shock return to Newcastle - The News of the World.

Sheffield United boss Bryan Robson is planning a move for Blackburn's Robbie Savage - The People.

LA Galaxy could team up Robbie Fowler with David Beckham - The News of the World.

Everton, West Ham and Manchester City are all keeping tabs on Bolton midfielder Kevin Nolan - The People.

Wigan could offer Danny Murphy an escape route out of Tottenham - Sunday Mirror.

Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce could return to old club Bolton to sign El Hadji Diouf - Sunday Mirror.

Charlton are eyeing Arsenal defender Philippe Senderos - Sunday Express.

MLS side Houston Dynamo are chasing Chelsea's Claude Makelele - Sunday Mirror.

GERRARD'S WEDDING CEREMONY

Alex and Steven’s wedding will be held at the exclusive Cliveden House luxury hotel on June 16th 2007, and i post this article because maybe one of you Gerrard's fans or a jealous one (*cough*) want to attend it (or prepare some sabotages *cough*)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=460882&in_page_id=1766&ito=1490

With this ring I thee WAG!
By ALISON BOSHOFF
Last updated at 01:12am on 9th June 2007

Next weekend a staggering four England footballers will marry in an orgy of competitive spending, extravagance and in-your-face glamour.

The Wedding WAG-athon sees England captain John Terry tie the knot on Friday, followed on Saturday by team-mates Steven Gerrard, Gary Neville and Michael Carrick.

Not surprisingly, their respective brides have gone to extremes to ensure that their ceremony grabs the headlines in glossy magazines. Forget understated classiness and tradition, national stocks of St Tropez bronzer and Louboutin stilettos have been depleted as those considered worthy of an invitation prepare for this flashy three-day blow-out.

But if you’re not one of the lucky few on the guest lists, don’t despair. Here, ALISON BOSHOFF presents the Mail’s very own guide to the biggest, tackiest, splashiest weekend in the history of football’s glitterati. . .

Steven Gerrard and Alex Curran

The match
With her tangerine tan and shopping passion, former nail technician Alex Curran will make the ultimate footballer’s wife. Determined not to be outdone, she has ensured her three-day-long celebration will be the showiest wedding. Alex and Liverpool skipper Gerrard met at a nightclub, but she rebuffed the £120,000-a-week star three times before they went on a date. She is the mother of his two children, Lilly-Ella, three, and Lexie, one. They live in a mansion in Formby, and he has recently bought a new £3.5 million home in Lathom, Lancashire.

Kick-off
The extravaganza begins on Friday at Cliveden House, Berkshire. The ceremony is in the Great Hall on Saturday at 1.40pm. The party is expected to go on until 3.30am, with bacon butties and chips available. The wedding cake is believed to have seven tiers and be as tall as the groom.

Team strip
Alex has been to Paris for fittings for a couture Dior number. Lilly-Ella and Lexie will be in miniature versions. Stevie is said to be considering a white suit. Alex has been having microdermabrasion facials and tanning treatments. She’ll also be unveiling a "more sophisticated" hairstyle.

Guests
England striker Michael Owen and wife Louise, Gerrard’s Liverpool teammates-Jamie Carragher and wife Nicola, Robbie Fowler and wife Kerry, Harry Kewell and girlfriend Sheree Murphy; plus Chelsea star Ashley Cole and popstar wife Cheryl. Wayne and Coleen will be at the party. Spurs midfielder Danny Murphy is best man.

Entertainment
Take That star Gary Barlow was reputedly singing, but his manager told us he isn’t. A "famous DJ" is promised.

Budget
£1 million.

Extra time
The Jumeirah Beach Hotel in Dubai.

Read all about it
OK! Magazine - are paying around £800,000.

Note : this article is continued with another 3 couples news, but that's not important!

WHO's YOUR MOST WANTED PLAYER SEASON 2007/2008?

	My most wanted player is :
	Samuel Eto'o (Barcelona / Cameroon) David Villa (Valencia / Spain) Fernando Torres (Athletico Madrid / Spain) Carlos Tevez (West Ham / Argentina) Thierry Henry (Arsenal / France) Michael Owen (Newcastle / England) Ricardo Quaresma (Porto / Portugal) Gabriel Milito (Real Zaragoza / Argentina) Daniel Alves (Sevilla / Brazil) Other Player

It will be an interesting summer reading all rumour mills about new players at Liverpool. With the new owners Gillet and Hicks preparing to splash big cash on it, there are few big names listed and linked with Liverpool.

The last rumour says that Thierry Henry had medical at Melwood early this morning, and most of the speculation is coming from an increase of bets that have forced bookmakers William Hill to lower the odds of Henry moving to Anfield from 10/1 to 3/1.

But now, we want to know your opinion about who's the most requested player. It's for fun though .

PS : If you choose no. 10 (Other Player), feel free to post who is he.

KING HENRY FOR REDS?

...rumour has it that he's gonna join the Reds...

REINA EXTEND HIS CONTRACT AT THE REDS

Jose Reina has signed a new Liverpool contract that will keep him at the club until 2012.

The Spanish international, 25, has penned a five-year deal, hot on the heels of new deals signed on Monday by Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher.

Reina said: "I am very happy with this contract. It was always my wish to sign a new deal because this is a good club which is looking forward to a very ambitious and attractive project.

"The details of the contract were very straightforward. Rick Parry (chief executive) and the American owners (Tom Hicks and George Gillett) made everything easy and in the end it was a good solution for the club and a good solution for me.

"I spoke with Rafa (Benitez) and his thoughts for the future really excited me. He has ambitions for the team which I want to be part of and I'm sure the other players feel the same.

"The idea now for all of us is to keep winning matches and to challenge for titles. That's what we'll be looking for from the start of next season.

"Our fans deserve the league title and that's what we'll be looking for. Seventeen years without winning it is far too long for this club and that's why our biggest target next year has to be the Premiership."

Editor Note :

It's clear that Benitez put his faith in Reina ability, but i'm kinda shocked to read the five years deal, even Carra and Gerrard only had four years each. Now, it's about the time for Alonso and Sissoko to have new deals according to Liverpool Echo.

JUVENTUS LINE UP BID FOR SISSOKO

Juventus are ready to launch a £12million move for Liverpool midfielder Momo Sissoko. The Malian international has been linked with several top European clubs during the past few months, speculation that has intensified since Sissoko sat out the Champions League final defeat to AC Milan last week.

Now Italian giants Juventus, who are looking to strengthen after securing promotion to Serie A following demotion for their part in the Italian match-fixing scandal, are preparing to table a formal offer. Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez, who bought the player from Valencia from under the noses of neighbours Everton for £5.6m in July 2005, does not want to sell the 22-year-old.

But Sissoko has seen his first-team opportunities limited since the arrival of Javier Mascherano on loan from West Ham United in January, and is also behind Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso in the midfield pecking order. Sissoko is already seeking talks with Benitez over his long-term future at the club after growing frustrated at his recent lack of games. And a huge offer for his services could test Liverpool’s resolve to keep the player.

For now, Sissoko’s agent Jose Segui has claimed his client will remain at Anfield. “There’s not much chance of him leaving Liverpool. Momo is happy and has a contract with them until 2010. I don't believe Liverpool want to lose him. But, obviously, clubs are going to talk to each other, but for the moment nothing is happening,” he said.

Italian outfit Fiorentina and Spanish champions Barcelona are also thought to be tracking Sissoko, who has made 71 appearances for Liverpool.

RAFA TO RAISE CASH FOR ETO`O BID

Rafael Benitez will sell Momo Sissoko and Craig Bellamy and then ask Liverpool's owners for the rest of the cash needed to sign Samuel Eto'o.

New Anfield owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks have promised to back Benitez in the transfer market this summer - but the Spaniard knows he will have to help fund a £35million for Barcelona hitman Eto'o.

Benitez is ready to offload fiery striker Bellamy, who is being chased by West Ham and Aston Villa, for around £6million - and Sissoko is also surplus to requirements following the successful impact of Javier Mascherano at Anfield.

The Mali midfielder has fallen behind Mascherano, Xabi Alonso and Steven Gerrard in the pecking order - and would command a fee of £7million, with both Barca and Juventus said to be monitoring him.

Benitez is desperate to break Chelsea and Manchester United's stranglehold on the Premiership title race - and believes Eto'o is the world-class striker Liverpool need to bid for the English crown.

i personally thinks we really desperately need a striker like eto's calibre for us to challenge for the title. so if we have to sell really just to fund eto's transfer then be it.

JUNE 2 TABLOID TRANSFER RUMOURS

Sunderland boss Roy Keane is desperate for a big name signing and has put Paul Scholes at the top of his wish-list - bidding £2million - (The Sun)

Keane is also keen on Jason Koumas but the West Brom schemer is heading for Everton in a £4million deal - (The Sun)

West Ham are eager to get busy in their recruitment campaign and are putting together a £4million offer for Kieran Richardson - (The Sun)

Hammers boss Alan Curbishley will follow up that capture with the signing of Chelsea's Shaun Wright-Phillips for £10million - (The Sun)

Sheffield United have conceded that Phil Jagielka is on his way - with Everton, Wigan and Aston Villa all vying for his signature - (Daily Star)

Charlton's Darren Bent is to quit The Valley and the England man is off to either Tottenham, Liverpool or West Ham - (Daily Star)

Titus Bramble is to spurn a move to Portsmouth in order to sign for Wigan - (Various)

Real Madrid are preparing a lucrative offer in an attempt to lure Arjen Robben from Chelsea - (Daily Mirror)

Jose Antonio Reyes is set to stay in Spain, but not with Real Madrid, as former club Sevilla are keen on his services (Daily Mirror)

Matt Holland is a surprise transfer target for Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp - (Daily Mirror)

Newcastle chief Sam Allardyce is eager to add to his defensive ranks and is a fan of PSG's David Rozehnal - (Daily Mirror)

Liverpool are set to smash their transfer record with the £35million capture of Samuel Eto'o - (Independent)

Sunderland are to make an ambitious swoop for Villarreal striker Diego Forlan, a former team-mate of Roy Keane - (Independent)

West Ham are to offer big money for Everton pair Tim Cahill and Andy Johnson (The Times)

Juventus have been put off making Frank Lampard an offer to leave Chelsea, frightened by his £7million-a-season wage demands - (Express)

LYON STAR FLORENT MALOUDA HAS REEALED LIVERPOOL ARE HOPING TO SIGN HIM

The French international is seeking to leave Lyon for a new challenge with a top European side.

Malouda claims Liverpool are leading the hunt to sign him, but that there is also interest from several Spanish sides in his signature.

Liverpool are thought to be in the market for a new left-sided winger with Boudewijn Zenden and Mark Gonzalez set to move on and Reds boss Rafa Benitez is believed to have made Malouda his top target.

Malouda says he would be interested in a possible move to Liverpool and he is hoping to have his future resolved soon.

"There are contacts with Liverpool but they haven't made an offer to Lyon yet," Malouda told Football365.

"They are a good club and play in the English league, which is very interesting.

"I have no preference, I can also move to Spain. It depends on the club's ambition and their desire to sign me.

"I don't know if my transfer price is €25 million (£17million), it could also be €35million (£27million).

"Anyway the money won't be in my pocket so I don't care.

"I agree with my chairman when he says that all Lyon transfers have to be signed before the 30th of June.

"I am leaving, it is just a question of time."

Lyon chairman Jean-Michel Aulas insists he has not received any bid from Liverpool for Malouda.
"We have not yet had any bid for Florent Malouda," Aulas told the club's official website.

-skysports

BENITEZ WARNING HYYPIA BIDDERS

Rafa Benitez says Newcastle, Wigan and Portsmouth will be wasting their time if they try to tempt Sami Hyypia from Anfield this summer. Benitez today confirmed he wants the Finnish defender to stay at the club for the last year of his contract as the perfect cover for Jamie Carragher and Daniel Agger.

Hyypia revealed while on international duty he’d spoken to Benitez about his plans, and the Liverpool manager says he’s told the 33-year-old he remains a key member of his squad. However, suggestions Liverpool are preparing to offer Hyypia a new deal are premature at this stage.

“It’s true I spoke to Sami and I told him I wanted him to stay. I expect Sami to be with us for the start of pre-season. He is a good professional and it’s not easy to find defenders with his experience. I told Sami I need him here and the positive thing is he wants to stay with us,” said Benitez.

Hyypia isn’t short of offers if he wants a new challenge. Newcastle have tried to tempt him to St James’ Park in each of the last two seasons, and new boss Sam Allardyce was also being linked with a fresh move. But the centre-half, widely considered Gerard Houllier’s greatest signing when he joined for a bargain £2.5m from Willem II in 1999, has accepted his new role at Anfield deputising for Agger and Carragher.

There’s no doubt the player would also love the security of an additional 12 months on his current terms, but that’s not currently on the agenda. In an illustrious career at Anfield, the giant Finn has won every honour except one – the Premiership. He’ll be hoping to complete his collection in what could prove to be his last season at the club in 2007/08.

Meanwhile, any thoughts Liverpool may have had of joining the race for West Ham’s Carlos Tevez appear doomed. Tevez’s representatives have slapped a whopping £30m price tag on the striker. Even if Benitez had that kind of kitty, and there’s no suggestion at this stage he has, he’d be prioritising other areas of the team rather than spending so much on Tevez.

In Spain, Daniel Alves’ agent has announced the time may be right for the player to leave Seville, with Real Madrid, Barcelona, AC Milan and Liverpool holding a long-standing interest. Liverpool failed with a £12m bid a year ago and Alves’ value has spiralled since then but Benitez would still love him at Anfield. Meanwhile, Spurs are believed to be preparing a £3m bid for Harry Kewell.

BELLAMY IS SET FOR ROVERS RETURN

Blackburn Rovers are set to put their pursuit of James Beattie on hold - as they try to lure Craig Bellamy away from Liverpool.

Rovers were preparing a move for Beattie earlier in the week but will concentrate on landing other top targets before pressing ahead with a bid to bring him back to the club where he began his career.

And Bellamy is top of the list drawn up by Ewood manager Mark Hughes, who has overseen the Welshman’s best form of his career at both club and country level. The price could be a stumbling block as Liverpool look to make a significant gain on the £6million that triggered Bellamy’s exit clause last summer.

But Hughes is believed to be willing to enter negotiations for a player whose 17 goals in his one season at the club played a major part in their UEFA Cup qualification. Bellamy, however, is also set to be the subject of a bid from Aston Villa, who are in a significantly better bargaining position than Blackburn as American owner Randy Lerner continues to pledge his commitment to investing in the team during the close season.