Rafa Benitez may look to secure David Silva signing

Jun 20 2008 by Nick Smith, Liverpool Daily Post

LIVERPOOL are weighing up a move for Spain’s Euro 2008 star David Silva.

But they will face a fight to prise him away from Valencia, who are likely to ask for £20million for the 22-year-old.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is in the market for a wide player, with Newcastle’s James Milner and Espanyol’s Albert Riera the more affordable options he has considered during the current window.

Silva’s price tag would have to be reduced significantly as Benitez is still confident of sealing Gareth Barry’s move from Aston Villa and his budget would not stretch to the current valuation.

But the former Valencia coach is an admirer of the player who can operate on either flank or just behind a striker. And Benitez has also been struck by the impact Silva has made helping Spain into the quarter-final of the European Championships with a 100% record, particu-larly the cross he delivered for Liverpool’s Fernando Torres to score against Sweden at the weekend.

He was rested along with Torres and Spain’s major players for the final group game with Greece on Wednesday but will return to the side for Sunday’s meeting with Italy in the last eight.

Silva began his career at the Mestalla as Benitez was departing for Anfield in 2004 and enjoyed loan spells at SD Elbar in the Spanish second division and later Celta Vigo.

Last summer he signed a new seven-year deal with Valencia, who are keen to retain him alongside Euro 2008 leading scorer David Villa.

Villa, who has also interested Benitez in the past but was not on his radar for this summer’s transfer business, indicated he was happy to stay with the Spanish Cup winners while dismissing reports he was interested in joining either Liverpool and Chelsea.

Xabi Alonso, meanwhile, has revealed he is happy to plan for next season at Anfield – despite previously accepting his days are numbered while Benitez tries to raise cash for Barry.

Juventus are still expected to table a bid for the midfield-er once Euro 2008 is finished and his agent has previously indicated that the Italians are keen to complete a deal.

But Alonso said: “At the moment I’m a Liverpool player. Really it is something that I am detached from. I am just focusing on the European Champion-ship. At the moment I’m absolutely a part of Euro 2008. “Whatever is going to happen is between the clubs and I have nothing to say about that. I haven’t spoken so far with Rafa because he knows that I am focused and I am thinking about the Euro and at the moment I have no news.

“I signed a contract with Liverpool last summer. I have four more years of contract at Liverpool. I haven’t been told anything so far. My plans are to start next season with Liverpool, unless there is a change. We will see what happens. I can’t really say any more.”

Rangers have confirmed a pre-season friendly has been arranged with Liverpool at Ibrox on Saturday, August 2.

Ticket details for the match, which kicks off at 3pm, will be announced on the Rangers website.

Liverpool will also travel to Germany to take on Hertha Berlin in the Olympic Stadium on Tuesday, July 22 (7.45pm).