LFC rumour mill: Santa linked to Anfield, Crouch to exit at end of season

Feb 4 2008

ROQUE SANTA CRUZ is to be the subject of a £7million bid by Liverpool in the summer, it was reported today.

The Paraguayan international has impressed since signing for Blackburn from Bayern Munich in the summer for   £3.8million.

But it seems recent comments about wanting to play European football have prompted a link with Anfield.

"I'm enjoying the games and every goal I score is important for the team, but we want to play in Europe so we need to keep winning games,” revealed Santa Cruz, with Rovers currently just two points off sixth place.

It is now being reported that Rafael Benitez will make a £7million bid for Santa Cruz and that he will partner Fernando Torres.

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The popular linking of Peter Crouch with Manchester City has resurfaced again -but with Michael Johnson this time coming the other way.

The People says Crouch and Michael Johnson are heading for a shock £12million swap in a delayed deal that was scheduled for the January window.

England striker Crouch, it is reported, has been cleared for a new link-up with his former national team boss Sven Goran Eriksson at Manchester City.

But Rafa Benitez's determination to land Johnson for Liverpool is driving the deal.

The transfer should have gone through already but was held up by Johnson's injury lay-off after an aborted return from a double hernia operation.

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England and Liverpool striker Peter Crouch’s footballer pals gave him a stepladder for his birthday – so that his girlfriend could reach him.

The lanky striker at 6ft 7in, is the tallest man ever to play for either Liverpool or the England national team. His ladylove Abbie Clancy is almost a foot shorter at 5 ft 9in.

Crouch found his gift all wrapped up in ribbons when he walked into Liverpool’s Melwood training ground along with a cheeky note from teammates and ground staff suggesting just how Clancy could put to use – reaching him.

A source revealed that the footballer fortunately saw the funny side of his gift.