Rafael Benitez is still on holiday today, but will be well aware that his number one transfer target looks to be part of a mini bidding war. The Brazilian wing-back Daniel Alves is that top target, and now the player’s agent has done what agents do best – stir things up through the press. In this case it’s Spanish newspaper Marca and the agent has named Barcelona is another club interested in signing the 23-year-old. He’s also claimed three other clubs are interested in the player. Liverpool are one of the three, along with Real Madrid according to some reports.
Rafa is said to have put a bid in of £7m for the player, who is also on holiday at the moment. His agent is José Rodríguez Baster and he told the Spanish newspaper about the current situation: “Barcelona were put in contact with us to know Daniel’s situation and we directly transferred them to Sevilla. Since then we have not spoken with them. In addition there are great clubs also involved who have not yet been publicised. Three important clubs, at European level, have shown their interest.”
Alves would be used on the right side of midfield for Liverpool, but the left side of midfield is causing Rafa some trouble too at the moment. Chilean winger Mark González is already a Liverpool player, but due to him not being able to obtain a work permit he’s not yet played a game for his club. The Reds had to wait 12 months before putting in another work permit application and that new application goes in this week.
González has been at the centre of some controversy this past week during his country’s stay in Dublin. After an impressive game for Chile against the Republic of Ireland he was sent home for an alleged breach of discipline. He and team-mate Reinaldo Navia were allegedly caught in their hotel room with three girls and accused of being up to no good. González claimed they were just giving the girls autographs, and is now threatening to quit international football: “I will think very carefully about whether I will wear the national shirt again. I told Acosta there was a misunderstanding with what happened in Dublin but even with my explanations he decided to send me back to Chile. Neither Navia nor I was drunk, we were only giving our autographs.”