adminLiverpool have moved to reinforce their squad on the eve of the new Premier League season by agreeing a deal to sign French left-back Aly Cissokho on loan from Valencia, according to UK media reports.
Sky Sports television reported yesterday morning that the Reds had agreed to sign Cissokho on an initial season-long loan from the Spanish club with a view to a permanent transfer next summer.
The 25-year-old French international left Lyon for Valencia at the beginning of last season and made 25 league appearances.
He first made his name playing for Portuguese side Porto in the Champions League in 2009 and will now provide competition at left-back for Jose Enrique, who was Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers’ only option in the position.
Cissokho is expected to travel to Merseyside in the next week to undergo a medical and agree personal terms, although it is understood Liverpool do not believe that will be an issue.
Sky Sports also reported that the Anfield club are in talks with Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala concerning the Brazilian international attacking midfielder Willian.
The 25-year-old only joined Anzhi from Shakhtar Donetsk in January but was put up for sale along with the club’s other high earners after billionaire owner Suleiman Kerimov recently decided to drastically cut the side’s budget and scale down their ambitions.
However, Liverpool can expect competition for the player’s signature, for whom Manchester City have reportedly previously shown an interest.
“There was the Manchester City bid that was turned down. Now I’m waiting for a new bid to arrive in the next days from a few clubs, like Liverpool,” Willian was quoted as saying on ESPN Brazil on Thursday.
“If it’s really Liverpool, then it is surely a great club. I’m hopeful and very calm, just waiting for the best.
“England is my goal. I like the Premier League very much, I enjoy English football and certainly, if that happens, it will be very good for me and for my image.
Meanwhile, controversial Liverpool striker Luis Suarez has returned to first-team training, British media reported yesterday.
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers had said the only way the Uruguay forward would be back training alongside his teammates was if he first apologised for suggesting the Reds boss had gone back on a deal allowing him to leave for a Champions League club.
However there has, as yet, been no public confirmation from Liverpool as to whether Suarez has apologised.
Last week Suarez was told to train by himself after Rodgers said his attitude had been well below the standard expected by the Merseyside club.
Premier League rivals Arsenal have had two bids, including a reported offer of £40 million for Suarez, rejected by Liverpool.
Rodgers, speaking after last week’s friendly defeat by Celtic, said Suarez would have to say ‘sorry’ before being welcomed back into the Anfield fold.
“Initially there will be a recognition that (there needs to be) an apology to his teammates and the club,” he said.
“When he is back from his international trip (Suarez went to Japan with Uruguay in midweek) we will assess it from there.
“He is a world-class striker and when he is committed to the cause we will welcome him back with open arms.”
Liverpool’s principal owner John W Henry has declared Suarez will not be allowed to leave the club, while captain Steven Gerrard has urged him to stay.
Suarez will miss the first six games of the new season as he completes a 10-game suspension for biting Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic in April, and Rodgers said on Thursday he did not want to discuss the 26-year-old forward until he returns at the end of September.
“From our perspective, there is a standpoint from the club and myself that has not changed,” said Rodgers.
“What I want to concentrate on is the players that are available for this weekend so I won’t be speaking any more about Luis Suarez until he is available.
“Purely out of respect to them and the work which has been going on, I only want to talk about them.”
Liverpool open their 2013-14 Premier League campaign at home to Stoke City today. — Sapa-AFP
Online Reporter
Londile Moyo