Morientes on Liverpool: "I want it to happen"

p.pete

Don't think Bannor specified that it was Morientes agent, just the agent handling the transfer (and presumably handling it on behalf of Madrid). I agree totally with 5 years being a bit long for a 28 year old.

kaimera

imo, 5 years for Morientes is just right. He's at his peak and will still be a great asset to the club by the end of his contract.

mike65

http://www.goal.com/NewsDetail.aspx?idNews=42147&progr=0

Liverpool's Morientes Bid Accepted
1/11/2005 10:19:00 PM
Real Madrid have accepted a €10million offer from Liverpool for Fernando Morientes.
The Spanish international is in negotiations with the Premiership club and is set to sign a four-and-a-half-year deal at Anfield and be presented later this week.

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez announced that he was becoming impatient after Madrid stalled on a decision whether to sell of keep Morientes.

But new coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo has signalled that he has enough strikers and that gave the board the green light to accept the English club's offer.

Lyon have also tabled a late bid as they want Morientes to replace Giovane Elber, but the offer has come too late as the player who had a successful spell on loan at Monaco last year has already set his heart on a move to Anfield.

Madrid had hoped to force Liverpool into including a deal to give them first option on signing Steven Gerrard, but that was immediatly denied.

The Spanish giants may now make a move for Roma's highly rated forward, Antonio Cassano, to bolster their star-studded squad.

Mike.

Ardent

I can see what's happening here. Madrid accept Liverpool's offer and the agent we mentioned above immediately contacts Lyon who make a formal bid straight away. F**cking agents!

Shred

It looks like the deal might finally be going ahead alright!

From Liverpoolfc.tv:

RAFA HOPING MORO WILL FACE UNITED

Rafael Benitez claimed after the Watford game that a deal to bring Fernando Morientes to Anfield could be completed within hours and would enable the Spanish international to make his debut against Manchester United.
Benitez told liverpoolfc.tv: "At this very moment in time, I can not say that Morientes is a Liverpool player but I believe we are very close to a deal and it could happen in a couple of hours time. We have spoken about him for two weeks now and the player wants to join Liverpool which is a good thing.

"We are ready for his arrival as soon as a deal can be completed. I'm not sure how player registration works in England but we are hopeful that he could be ready for the weekend. We will use the player as soon as possible. The important thing is he wants to come to Liverpool and play for us."

PHB

From BBC:

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is hoping to complete the £6m signing of 28-year-old striker Fernando Morientes from Real Madrid on Wednesday.
"We are very close, it could be just a matter of hours," said Benitez.

"I am not sure exactly how far the talks have gone, but I believe we have an agreement and I want the deal completed as soon possible."

Morientes could make his debut against Manchester United on Saturday if his signing is completed in time.

The Spain international has been the prime target for Benitez but the move seemed to be in the balance when reports arose that French club Lyon had tabled a higher bid than Liverpool.

The important thing is he wants to come to Liverpool and play for us

Rafael Benitez

But Lyon's attempts to hijack the move have proved unfounded and Benitez had claimed Morientes said he would stay at Real Madrid if he was not allowed to complete a switch to Anfield.

Morientes has to pass the formality of a medical and Benitez said: "We have spoken about him for two weeks now and the player wants to join Liverpool which is a good thing.

"We are ready for his arrival as soon as a deal can be completed.

"I'm not sure how player registration works in England but we are hopeful that he could be ready for the weekend.

"We will use the player as soon as possible. The important thing is he wants to come to Liverpool and play for us."


----

As early as tomorrow!!??? Play against United.

Seems to be a done deal.
Nice buy, I feel he is overrated, as he is considered one of the best in the world by many, but none the less is a very very good striker, great buy.

Gerrard is getting happier and happier I'd say with the more good players being brought in!

Jivin Turkey

Im delighted by this, I really feel Morientes will bring out the best in Baros.

Shred

Jivin Turkey wrote:

Im delighted by this, I really feel Morientes will bring out the best in Baros.

Completely agree

Ardent

93-94 Albacete 2 Games
94-95 Albacete 5 Goals, 20 Games
95-96 Real Saragosse 13 Goals, 29 Games
96-97 Real Saragosse 15 Goals, 37 Games
97-98 Real Madrid 12 Goals, 33 Games
98-99 Real Madrid 19 Goals, 33 Games
99-00 Real Madrid 12 Goals, 29 Games
00-01 Real Madrid 6 Goals, 22 Games
01-02 Real Madrid 18 Goals, 33 Games
02-03 Real Madrid 5 Goals, 18 Games
03-04 Real Madrid 1 Games
03-04 Monaco 10 Goals, 28 Games
04-05 Real Madrid 9 Games

97-98 International 6 Goals, 4 Games
98-99 International 1 Goals, 3 Games
99-00 International 1 Goals, 3 Games
00-01 International 1 Goals, 1 Games
01-02 International 5 Goals, 7 Games

Not exactly prolific but his international record is excellent.

p.pete

How many of the 9 games this season have been as a sub (I presume it includes the 6 minute match). So appart from Monaco it seems he hasn't played more then 20 games in a season since 01/02. I think we'll be hoping that the English game suits his and given a decent run in the team hopefully he'll score at least 10/15 goals a season and prove a good strike partner.

Fingers crossed

<edit>

Another question - if we've gotten Pellaghrino for free, Morientes's price can be offset against what RM owe us for Owen and we're soon to offload Henchoz - does that mean there is still money in the kitty for further transfers?

Shred

Came across this on the LFC.tv board:

Morientes Goals

There's some great goals in there, the two against Chelsea in the semis of the champs league being quite memorable

mayordenis

He reminds me of a younger me not much younger mind you . . .

really think of next season and the prospect of the manager having the choice between cisse,baros,mori and pongo

i am excited to say the very least

Ardent

The funniest thing happened to me last night. After the news from Rafa last night that El Moro was on his way, and after a bit of thinking about what it all meant, a feeling of joy - yes, unadulterated joy! - came over me. Safe to say, I'm very excited about this signing as well. It's a huge achievement for LFC, on top of the capture of Alonso.

More quality players please Rafa, we've been starved of them over the last few years.

Bannor

PHB wrote:

From BBC:

The Spain international has been the prime target for Benitez but the move seemed to be in the balance when reports arose that French club Lyon had tabled a higher bid than Liverpool.

...

But Lyon's attempts to hijack the move have proved unfounded and Benitez had claimed Morientes said he would stay at Real Madrid if he was not allowed to complete a switch to Anfield.

The Lyon bid is conditional on the Liverpool deal falling through. Was told that Liverpool have changed the way the payment is structured : £1M up front and then £1M a year. Madrid tried to squeeze more money out of the deal last night, Morientes told them that if the Liverpool move falls through then he will sit on the bench for the rest of the season and join Liverpool for a nominal fee in the summer or a free transfer next year.

BolBill

According to Real Madrids site, the deal is done at 9 Million blips.

Shred

Confirmed on Liverpoolfc.tv:

CONFIRMED: REDS AGREE FEE WITH REAL

Liverpool Football Club can confirm that a fee has been agreed with Real Madrid for the transfer of striker Fernando Morientes.
Personal terms must now be agreed with the player and a medical arranged before the deal is completed.

LizardKing

Bleedin deadly ... Hope Morientes can turn our goal scoring problem around .. and with Baros back fit ... hope we can stuff the manc scum on saturday

Ardent

Some more helpful information the man himself. Makes for impressive reading:

1976 - Born in Cilleros in the province of Caceres in Spain, on April 5.

1993 - Makes first division debut with Albacete in November against Tenerife. Plays two first team games in his first season and 20 in his second, scoring a total of five goals.

1995 - Joins Real Zaragoza for a reported fee of 900,000 euros ($1.18 million). Scores 28 league goals in two seasons with the club.

1997-98 - Joins Real for an estimated 6.6 million euros. Scores 12 league goals and four more in European Cup as Real lift the trophy, beating Juventus 1-0 in the final.

March - Scores twice on his Spain debut in 4-0 win over Sweden. Current tally is 25 goals in 38 games.

1999 - Highest goals total for Real with 19 in the league and six in the King's Cup. Real increase his buy-out clause to $94.22 million to ward off potential suitors.

2000 - Wins second European Cup with Real, scoring opening goal in 3-0 win over fellow Spaniards Valencia. Ends season with 12 league goals and six in the European Cup.

Misses Spain squad for Euro 2000. Coach Jose Antonio Camacho later admits he made a mistake in not including him.

2001 - Wins first league title with Real, but misses tail-end of the season due to injury and has tally of six goals.

2002 - Scores five in Real's 7-0 league win over Las Palmas in February.

Wins third European Cup in 2-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen. Ends the season as Real's top scorer with 18 league goals.

Plays in World Cup, scoring three goals before Spain lose on penalties to joint hosts South Korea in quarter-finals.

2003 - Ronaldo joins Real and Morientes finishes season with just 19 appearances and five goals. Real win the league.

September - agrees season-long loan at Monaco.

Scores 10 Ligue 1 goals and helps Monaco knock Real out of Champions League quarter-finals by scoring in both legs of an away goals win. Finishes as competition's top scorer with nine goals, but Monaco lose 3-0 to Porto in the final.

2004 - Plays in Euro 2004, scoring a goal in 1-1 draw with Greece. Spain make first round exit.

New Real coach Jose Antonio Camacho says he features in his plans for the season. Scores both goals in 2-0 Champions League qualifying win over Poland's Wisla Krakow.

Real sign Michael Owen and Camacho quits after three league games. Morientes is not given a single league start but makes 13 appearances as a late substitute.

Oct - Real say Morientes is not for sale.

Dec - Club president Florentino Perez says Real will consider offers for him.

2005

Jan 12 - Real announce a fee has been agreed for his transfer to Liverpool

Boro

Real increase his buy-out clause to $94.22 million to ward off potential suitors.

wow

Things have really changed when Liverpool get themselves a player that would have cost nearly $100 million (ok i know no-one would have paid it!) just 5 years ago!

mike65

I'm suprised there's not more reaction to this, (overkill maybe) but this could be as important as keeping Gerrard last summer, in fact this could be what keeps Gerrard this summer too (unless someone offers stupid money etc).

Whoops did'nt see this http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=217202

Mike.

talla

Sorry Lizardking, not a good day to say that, one week ban. People have been warned in the past about the scum comments even if its only a joke. Althoough i'll more than likely get stick over this as well

irishgeo

irishgeo wrote:

Expect to see Mori in a Liverpool shirt before the weekend.

I think i deserve a pat on the back for this.

Dub13

irishgeo wrote:

I think i deserve a pat on the back for this.

Fair play good tip.....and now for your Blue Peter badge

cournioni

Good signing for Liverpool. But he's not going to get near our goal next weekend!

p.pete

PORNAPSTER wrote:

Good signing for Liverpool. But he's not going to get near our goal next weekend!

It's this weekend we care about Saw the pictures of him leaving the hotel on his way to the medical this morning (Sky Sports News shows the most fantastic stuff) so presumably that'll be finished before lunch and if the contract is sorted hopefully the paperwork can be done by tomorrow morning.

Not sure what the cut-off is for him to be eligible for tomorrow but I presume it'll be messed up by RM not sending through relevant paperwork in time...

Ardent

p.pete wrote:

Not sure what the cut-off is for him to be eligible for tomorrow but I presume it'll be messed up by RM not sending through relevant paperwork in time...

Ermmm, the game is on Saturday at 12:30. I'd imagine as long as the paperwork is sent to the FA before close of business tomorrow, everything will be fine?

Shred

AFAIK it all has to be completed by the end of today for him to be eligible for Saturday

cournioni

You better get your arses in gear then so!

Shred

Apparently all is in hand and Morientes will be presented to the press at 1pm tomorrow

p.pete

He's signed

Shred

[MRBURNS]Most excellent[/MRBURNS]

Drag00n79

That's great news that he has finally signed. I didn't want to post on this just in case it fell through. Morientes will prove to be a great signing for us and I can't wait to see him link up with Baros.

There was something in the air that night
The stars were bright, Fernando
They were shining there for you and me
For LFC, Fernando