Liverpool close to Jovanovic deal

[toonarmy#9]

Liverpool are closing in on a deal to sign Standard Liege striker Milan Jovanovic.

It is understood negotiations on a pre-contract agreement for the 28-year-old to join them in the summer are at an advanced stage.

The Serbia international is out of contract at the end of the season and Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has been tracking the player for some time.

Barclays Premier League rivals Birmingham and Serie A giants AC Milan were also believed to be interested in the former Lokomotiv Moscow forward, who is reportedly ready to sign a three-year deal at Anfield.

The capture of Jovanovic would reinforce Benitez's continued assertions that he plans to remain at Liverpool for the long term despite strong interest from Juventus to make him their coach at the end of the campaign.

If the player does complete his move to Liverpool, he has already done plenty to endear himself to Reds fans.

Just over a year ago he was linked with Merseyside rivals Everton, as well as Aston Villa, but rejected a move to Goodison Park out of hand.

"Everton aren't a big club. That club I have turned down already," he told Serbian website Blic online at the time.

That almost mirrored Benitez's insult of three years ago when, after a goalless Merseyside derby, he said the Toffees were a "smaller club".

Jovanovic averages almost a goal every other game for Standard Liege, for whom he has scored 12 in 23 appearances this season, and can also operate as left-sided forward or attacking midfielder.

Benitez has also been linked with Bordeaux's Morocco striker Marouane Chamakh, who is also eligible to sign a pre-contract agreement with a foreign club as he is a free agent in the summer.

[ronaldo07]

good signing

[El Capitano]

Who?

Another great Liverpoo signing.

[Nice One Cyril]

According to The Times they're not exactly on a firm financial footing either. No wonder they can only get free transfers.

Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr, the Liverpool owners, have less than six months to secure the £100 million investment demanded by their creditors or they run the risk of being forced to put the club up for sale.

Christian Purslow, the Liverpool managing director, revealed the extent of the pressure that is being brought to bear on the club to reduce their £237 million debt by the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) — with whom they have a one-year refinancing agreement that expires at the end of July — in the minutes of a meeting he held with the Spirit Of Shankly supporters’ group.

RBS has made it a prerequisite of another refinancing deal being secured that Liverpool cut their debts by £100 million. Should they fail to do so, Hicks and Gillett would be faced with two options: find another financial institution willing to enter into an arrangement with them or put the club on the market. Purslow refused to guarantee that such investment would be secured in the specified time frame, although he did inform the supporters’ group that he hopes it can be done.

[The Kop]

How come you didnt post the bit about being in discussions with 5-6 investors?????

Situation is no where near as bad as Man U.

[Tomas Brolin]

I have seen him play before on Setanta, probably same class player as Voronin when he joined. Aston Villa were keen on him a few years back..

[Nice One Cyril]

How come you didnt post the bit about being in discussions with 5-6 investors?????

Situation is no where near as bad as Man U.

It's called 'edited highlights'

And although Pool owe less than ManU, their revenue stream is considerably smaller too.

[BTAC]

Who?

Another great Liverpoo signing.

Yeah enough is enough Rafa..
Clearly he's not worthy of a look in, I mean El Capitano doesn't even know who he is. Must be garbage.

[Nice One Cyril]

Who?

Another great Liverpoo signing.

Yeah enough is enough Rafa..
Clearly he's not worthy of a look in, I mean El Capitano doesn't even know who he is. Must be garbage.

He's probably OK, but at 28 and playing in Belgium he could also be distinctly average.

At that age, he's at the peak of his career and Liege, who are not exactly world beaters, are letting him go on free. That alone should set alarm bells ringing.

[The Kop]

How come you didnt post the bit about being in discussions with 5-6 investors?????

Situation is no where near as bad as Man U.

It's called 'edited highlights'

And although Pool owe less than ManU, their revenue stream is considerably smaller too.

Obviously.....

Revenue (FY09)
Man United 324m
Liverpool 210m

Debt (latest media reports)
Man United 716.5m (add another 500-550m with a fully subscribed bond issue)
Liverpool 237m


So you see Liverpool's situation is no where near as dire as Man U's.

[BTAC]

Who?

Another great Liverpoo signing.

Yeah enough is enough Rafa..
Clearly he's not worthy of a look in, I mean El Capitano doesn't even know who he is. Must be garbage.

He's probably OK, but at 28 and playing in Belgium he could also be distinctly average.

At that age, he's at the peak of his career and Liege, who are not exactly world beaters, are letting him go on free. That alone should set alarm bells ringing.

Yeah you're probably right. I don't know much about him at all, but I try not to write players off until I see enough of them.
If every player El Captiano doesn't know of is rubbish then there are very few good footballers left on Earth.

[The Kop]

Who?

Another great Liverpoo signing.

Yeah enough is enough Rafa..
Clearly he's not worthy of a look in, I mean El Capitano doesn't even know who he is. Must be garbage.

He's probably OK, but at 28 and playing in Belgium he could also be distinctly average.

At that age, he's at the peak of his career and Liege, who are not exactly world beaters, are letting him go on free. That alone should set alarm bells ringing.

Dont think its a case of them letting him go rather him exploiting the bosman to move to a bigger club.
No club deliberately "lets go" a 4-5 time league top scorer and player of the year.

I think he'll be good, but typically will take time to adjust to the pace and physicality of EPL.

[El Capitano]

Yeah enough is enough Rafa..
Clearly he's not worthy of a look in, I mean El Capitano doesn't even know who he is. Must be garbage.

About time you posted something meaningful around here.

He's probably OK, but at 28 and playing in Belgium he could also be distinctly average.

At that age, he's at the peak of his career and Liege, who are not exactly world beaters, are letting him go on free. That alone should set alarm bells ringing.

Well said.

[Nice One Cyril]

I think he'll be good, but typically will take time to adjust to the pace and physicality of EPL.

At nearly 29 he'd better get a bloody move on. The old legs start to go a bit once you hit 30.

[Kunta Kintay]

Do any of the Serb boys on the forum know much about him? I know he was a key player in their qualification but that's about it.

[Judge Judy]

Very awesome signing. We'll win the league this season or next season for sure.

[OldRedback]

Very awesome signing. We'll win the league this season or next season for sure.

Has this signing been confirmed?

Don't go getting your hopes up as Liverpool have been close to many things - like a league win - in the last twenty years only to fall over.

[ronaldo07]

Very awesome signing. We'll win the league this season or next season for sure.

Has this signing been confirmed?

Don't go getting your hopes up as Liverpool have been close to many things - like a league win - in the last twenty years only to fall over.

I think arxidia just being sarcastic

[Nice One Cyril]

Very awesome signing. We'll win the league this season or next season for sure.

Has this signing been confirmed?

Don't go getting your hopes up as Liverpool have been close to many things - like a league win - in the last twenty years only to fall over.

I think arxidia just being sarcastic

If he wasn't he should be in Glenside

[Judge Judy]

Very awesome signing. We'll win the league this season or next season for sure.

Has this signing been confirmed?

Don't go getting your hopes up as Liverpool have been close to many things - like a league win - in the last twenty years only to fall over.

Watch your back Man U, the Liverpool domination express has left the station and will be coming for you, with train driver being whoever the guy is that this topic is about.

[homer]

they sell voronin and get this guy

[ronaldo07]

Very awesome signing. We'll win the league this season or next season for sure.

Has this signing been confirmed?

Don't go getting your hopes up as Liverpool have been close to many things - like a league win - in the last twenty years only to fall over.

Watch your back Man U, the Liverpool domination express has left the station and will be coming for you, with train driver being whoever the guy is that this topic is about.

[Kunta Kintay]

Looks to be a done deal...

http://www.sportske.net/vest/medjunarod ... 14854.html

[Litmanen]

At least he's a striker, that's a start lol.

I'd like to hear the rationale behind this buy

[Judge Judy]

At least he's a striker, that's a start lol.

I'd like to hear the rationale behind this buy

the rationale will be in May this year or next when we're champions of the premier league. did you see ancelotti and ferguson's reaction? they absolutely filled their dacks with ordinary smelling shit

[Ubietz]

Milan Jovanovic aka The Serbian Snake looks like a good signing but I'm not too sure how he'll adapt to the English game, the speed and he's no spring chicken at 29.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LNXjRxPOvA

[ruud]

Jovanovic averages almost a goal every other game for Standard Liege, for whom he has scored 12 in 23 appearances this season, and can also operate as left-sided forward or attacking midfielder.

should be scoring more than that in the low land leagues to be close to a move to a big club

[PhilDunphy]

http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/english- ... ool-288501

[Litmanen]

At least he's a striker, that's a start lol.

I'd like to hear the rationale behind this buy

the rationale will be in May this year or next when we're champions of the premier league. did you see ancelotti and ferguson's reaction? they absolutely filled their dacks with ordinary smelling cabernet

hahaha.Loving the sarcasm. Keep it up.

[Judge Judy]

At least he's a striker, that's a start lol.

I'd like to hear the rationale behind this buy

the rationale will be in May this year or next when we're champions of the premier league. did you see ancelotti and ferguson's reaction? they absolutely filled their dacks with ordinary smelling cabernet

hahaha.Loving the sarcasm. Keep it up.

it's all i have left ;(