I have now heard from various sources including some on the Everton side and I am starting to think this story has some traction.
From what I hear Liverpool are in advanced negotiations with Everton to sign Mikel Arteta for a fee of around £12 million. The irony is that Mikel would be replacing his childhood friend Xabi Alonso as he heads to Real Madrid.
It would make perfect sense why Mikel would like to move to Liverpool. Everton are a small team and without Champions League football it is impossible for him to break into the Spain National team as he has publicly stated that he aspired to do. Mikel knows how much clout Rafa has in Spain and players such as Riera, Luis Garcia & Arbeloa were able to break into the team while at Liverpool. Mikel is also eligible to play for England so England might be an option for him and Rafa would be covered if the new FIFA rules go into effect.
My concern with Mikel is that he has be plagued by injuries in the past and hopefully he is over that now. The other concern I have is that his idol is Josep Guardiola (yep the current manager of Barcelona) and might use Liverpool as a springboard for a quick return to La Liga.
Antoine Zammit
antoine@empireofthekop.com
Bloody hell, even if he uses us as a spring board for a year, he will be an excellent replacement for the title chase. And very gutting for Everton!
Even if he only stays 12 months double the money and another good result… plus a cruical goal poacher ! win win…
This is BIG it has been a wile sens some one took the long walk across Stanley Park…
I’m not so sure on this one to be honest. As much as I would like to see a player of his quality at Anfield the obvious problem of Everton being seen to sell one of their best players across the park I
s is a biggie. The Aquilani rumours seem more credible to me, champions league experience, good age for development. I just hope that there is still money left in the bank from the alonso sale to sign another match winner, the problem of having Gerrard and Torres out in the only chink in the armour currently. Llorente, ideal man, cue romours.
I like Arteta but he is not the same type of player as Alonso. He won’t get stuck in as much as Alonso does in the holding area.
Unless Rafa is planning to tweek the system where Arteta could come forward more than Alonso. In my opinion Rafa wanted a player in Alonso’s area who came forward a little more and got on the scoresheet now and again. If he does come he can’t replace the Alonso controling the game role. It will be for something new.
Historically Rafa does like having the 2 holding players in midfield together and so I can’t see him changing the system next season. Last season was proof that we can score enough goals without the holding players pitching in 10. I would rather see a like for like technical player in there with a bit of dosh to spare for another forward.
no1 will tht rafa can buy will be a bter replacement 4 xabi but if arteta does come he cud fit in well. However, i can’t see it happening myself but what i do know is tht we’ll all miss xabi. =(
the bove comment was from me sorry.
no1 tht rafa can buy will be a better replacement than xabi. However, arteta is a good player and could fit in the liverpool team but i can’t see the move happening myself. We’l’ miss you xabi! =(
Mikel Arteta would be a fantastic signing i mean for 12million we would still have the money to buy 2 good other players or a real world class player.
You all believe that they would sell him to us for 12 million. Lescott is going for like 23 million. Arteta is way better and more important to everton than Lescott. This is CRAP. Why do we need players like him anyway, where did the Villa’s and Silva’s go really quality.