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RAFA KEEN TO KOP VALENCIA

Wigan attacking midfielder Antonio on Anfield hitlist

TARGET - Wigan's Antonio Valencia
TARGET - Wigan's Antonio Valencia

RAFA BENITEZ is confident of finally landing Wigan flying machine Antonio Valencia.

The Ecuadorian attacking midfielder has been on Liverpool's hitlist for some time but Latics boss Steve Bruce managed to hang on to the 23-year-old in the summer.

Yet Reds chief Benitez will go back in with an offer of £10million plus out-of- favour winger Jermaine Pennant.

Benitez is planning for January's transfer window as he builds on a strong start to the season.

Valencia, who has also interested Manchester United, has the added bonus of being eligible for the Champions League.

Meanwhile, Fulham and Stoke are both plotting to relaunch a bid for Kop centre-back Sami Hyypia.

The duo failed with summer swoops for the Finn, 34, but he has found himself relegated to fourth choice this season.

Your comments

This article has 16 comments

valencia would be a good sing but for me ryan babel should be playing ever week. we need another right back maybe cicinho some one with pace. also the return of michael owen would give us that missing piece of the jigsaw.

By michael. Posted October 12 2008 at 5:58 PM.

For those of you who have never seen Valencia in action, let me tell ya that he is an awesome player, perfect for Liverpool or Man U.

By George. Posted October 7 2008 at 6:21 PM.

To the liverpool fans who have written some of these negative messages.
What team have you lot been supporting in the last two seasons?
Pennant is too inconsistant.And kuyt dose'nt do it for me sometimes.
Valencia IS a classy,right-sided player.Who would fit in nicely at liverpool.
With another striker to back up torres and keane...Namley Michael Owen.I know..But what if torres gets injured?
This would give liverpool a extra final push towards winning our first premiership title.

By nik . Posted October 7 2008 at 12:54 PM.

To the liverpool fans who have written some of these negative messages.
What team have you lot been supporting in the last two seasons?
Pennant is too inconsistant.And dose'nt do it for me.
Valencia IS a classy,right-sided player.Who would fit in nicely at liverpool.
With

By nik . Posted October 7 2008 at 12:51 PM.

Iam LFC fan, What Liverpool need is Right-back
and not attacking-midfield. retain Pennant one day you will need him, like Crouch and Cisse,
was big mistake selling them.

By Ibrahim Ali. Posted October 6 2008 at 6:24 PM.

i'am a liverpool fan but sometimes i find hard to understand what rafa he's still looking.we've a lot of wingers and i'am sure if pennant will be given a chance he will prove him(rafa) wrong it''s rafa who was making efforts to off load alonso who is doing a wonderful job'he's looking for wingers but suprisingly he like to field fullback at the wide position'hey rafa give penant to show his ability the he's a good jugler too

By twahahenry. Posted October 6 2008 at 11:03 PM.

Liverpool don't need Valencia. Why would they want Valencia now? Just because he scored that goal vs Man City perhaps. Leave our players alone, stop sniffing around our club.

By .... Posted October 5 2008 at 7:29 PM.

gentleness are you even a liverpool fan? its PLESSIS not plensis and DOSSENA not donessa.

valencia would be a great addition to many squads, but for me there's too much talent in the liverpool squad for him to break in. the fact we can afford to leave ryan babel on the bench proves the strength we have. as for selling pennant, might as well... he's not getting a game and it's unfair on a quality player.

By mikeyricho. Posted October 5 2008 at 1:24 PM.

10 million+peanut, is a win win for both clubs. i have been a fan of valencia for a while, love his pace and touch. looks to be a player that plays to his limits. in rafa we trust.Y.N.W.A.

By aussie joe. Posted October 5 2008 at 1:14 PM.

I think 10m + Pennant is 2 damn much please. Wait a minute, do we need another attacking midfielder or a winger? Lets assure will find a greener pasture by Jaunary. We have Babel, Riera, Benayoun & Kuyt doing very at both wing. We Gerrard, Alonso, Lucas, Plensis & Mascherano doing well in the midfield. Donessa is doing great at the back, we only need a good player at the other side. Mr Benitez, we dont need Mr Valencia. If you are readin this message, please field Babel more than Riera on field. Thanks.

By Gentleness. Posted October 5 2008 at 11:08 AM.

Valencia will be a good asset on the right, hopefully Rafa will try and maintain a similar team each week and not switch things too much. Pennant will fit in well at Wigan - he is a quality player just out of favour in Rafa's eyes.

By skezza. Posted October 5 2008 at 10:14 AM.

i do not think we need a winger as much as we need a worldclass rightback - leftback. For us to win the prem we have to have to solid back 4

By mickey . Posted October 5 2008 at 10:00 AM.

Pennant isn't such a bad winger, but yes, I agree, Rafa does tend to force round pegs into square holes. That said, he has played Riera in the correct position and I think he'd do likewise with Valencia. With any luck it'll sound the departure bell for Dirk Kuyt - as a Liverpool fan, I'd love to see Fergie buy him and stubbornly play him in every match! I can but dream...

By marcus tickner. Posted October 5 2008 at 9:54 AM.

He aint a winger he's an attacking midfield player and is much better through the middle as he's shown so far this season

By worbo. Posted October 5 2008 at 9:31 AM.

10m + a lame duck>?< Stevie B isn't stupid. Besides, why does Benitez want a winger for He'll only turn Valencia into a fullback in the end. It's Man United and Sir Alex who need a winger, know what a winger is and will make the winger better. Ron Nani and Park can't run the pitch lengths all the time.. Sir Alex will launch a summertime bid and get his man. He's ours, hands off you Dumb Benitez.

By ozblu3. Posted October 5 2008 at 8:52 AM.

10 million plus Pennant seems a bit much to me Rafa.

By Gaz. Posted October 5 2008 at 8:06 AM.

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