Rafa Benitez to step up fundraising efforts

Jun 11 2008 by Nick Smith, Liverpool Daily Post

Rafa Benitez

RAFAEL BENITEZ will step up his attempts to offload his surplus Liverpool players after accepting that this summer's transfer budget could restrict attempts to strengthen the squad.

With Gareth Barry having expressed his desire to play Champions League football with Liverpool to Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill, Benitez is keen to push through the transfer of the England international.

The Midlands club are likely to hold out for a fee of around £15million, the cost of which could be covered by Peter Crouch being included in the deal or Xabi Alonso’s likely move to Juventus after Euro 2008. But Benitez has conceded the need to raise funds with transfers, with Crouch the most lucrative asset.

“If we had a lot of money to spend it would obviously be better,” said Benitez, whose budget is unaffected by the £33million loss revealed in the Kop Holdings Ltd accounts.

“But if we don’t it doesn’t matter.

“It is not about buying the most expensive players, it is about buying the right ones.

“We have the spine of the team and we can sell some players to get the others we need.”

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp has already revealed an asking price of £10million would interest him in Crouch.

It would appear Newcastle have the means to make a move as well if they fail to secure St Etienne frontman Bafetimibi Gomis for a similar price.

Strengthening the flanks remains a priority but with such confidence in the spine of the side, Benitez has no intention of abandoning efforts to bring the Premier League title to Anfield.

“I said at the end of the season I was very happy here and I will say it again,” he said. “I would not have brought players like Fernando Torres and the young players we have here if I did not have a long term vision for the club. “Now is not the time to be saying goodbye!

“Fernando’s agent has asked about my Liverpool future and my answer is that I am 100% committed.”

As for Barry, his agent Alex Black’s assertion that playing at the top tier of European football has swayed him to leave Aston Villa seems to confirm the hint the player dropped himself last week.

The 27-year-old has been a Villa Park regular for 10 years but with having to go through the Intertoto route just to make the UEFA Cup next season is not an outcome that convinces the player that staying will fulfil his ambitions.

“Champions League football helps any player,” said Barry. “You only have to look at the England squad to see the amount of players who start the games – the majority play in the Champions League.

“That’s all about the decision that will have to be made by myself. Liverpool are in the Champions League and Villa are trying to push for that. That’s all part of my decision if a bid gets accepted.

“There’s so much to lose at Aston Villa. I’ve been there for 10 years, got a good rapport with the fans, I’m captain, great relationship with the manager.”