Rafa Benitez set to be handed a double financial boost for summer spending

Jun 21 2008 by Nick Smith, Liverpool Daily Post

RAFAEL BENITEZ has received a double boost in his bid to raise transfer funds for Gareth Barry and David Silva.

Juventus have re-iterated their intention to go for Xabi Alonso, despite switching their attention elsewhere after initially being frightened off by his asking price.

And George Gillett also hinted there might be more money available in the transfer window as he and co-owner Tom Hicks are in the process of fixing their feud.

The fact remains, however, that Benitez still has to generate more funds on top of the £4million received for John Arne Riise from Roma this week if he is to land his top targets.

But despite the doubts Alonso expressed over the move this week, Juve’s renewed confidence that they will sign the Spain midfielder could yield another £15m for the kitty.

The Italians have been previously put off by Liverpool’s initial £16m price tag but although they have yet to make an official bid, they will to seek a compromise by coming up from their £14m valuation.

And Juventus general manager Jean-Claude Blanc has insisted Alonso is still on their radar.

He said: “Xabi Alonso? It’s an operation that we’re taking forward and we’ll compare him to other deals which could be done.

“We’re following more than three footballers. We’re looking for a very talented midfielder – there’s not many of those around and some of them aren’t available.

“We have to talk first with the club and then with the player. Only one of these deals will be done.”

With possible sales of Peter Crouch and Scott Carson also lined up, Benitez seems certain to have the funds to meet Aston Villa’s valuation of Barry and Liverpool are likely to need an £18m bid to break their resistance.

With the player expressing his desire to go to Anfield for Champions League football and Villa manager Martin O’Neill also preparing for life without Barry, Liverpool remain confident the transfer will be completed.

Attempts to sign Spanish midfielder David SIlva will be more difficult, however, with the £20m needed to tempt him away from Valencia beyond Benitez’s current means.

But Gillett did indicate that there could be room for negotiation with the manager as he seeks the strengthening needed to provide a realistic shot at the Premier League next season.

Gillett said: “All of us are focused on the transfer window and we want to be ready for that and we want to have adequate resources and good communication with Rafa. Our hope is that we’re making better progress.

“What did I think of last season’s performance? I’d rather let the fans make that decision.

“But for a club that has a history of winning trophies, any season that you don’t win one of the five or six trophies that we compete for, I suspect the fans, as well as the Hicks and Gilletts, are disappointed.

“But overall I felt that the team played quite well, particularly beginning and late.

“By summer, I think the rest of the boys played quite well and we have to help Rafa try and be more competitive in the chase for the Premier League.”

Gillett refused to confirm whether he no longer wanted to sell his half of the club to DIC.