TRANSFER NEWS: Reds Ace – “I am close to joining Milan”

Liverpool are close to saying goodbye to their Italian midfield disappointment, Alberto Aquilani. The 27 year-old is looking forward to leaving the club where he has had very little success or joy since signing for a huge fee of £20 million back in 2009.

Aquilani told the Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Spport; “I am close to joining Milan.” It is a move which would see Liverpool make a loss of £11.3 million, with the Milan side prepared to pay £8.7 million for Aquilani’s services.

Having signed Jordan Henderson and Charlie Adam this summer, Kenny Dalglish has clearly prepared for a season without the former Roma central midfielder, and with Raul Meireles, Lucas and Steven Gerrard already, it is unlikely Aquilani will see much game time at Liverpool anyway.

In fact, during his season on loan at Juventus last year, he played more game than he has done in two seasons with Liverpool, playing only 28 times and scoring two goals for the Reds. That is due to a mixture of injuries and simply not impressing in the few games he did play for Liverpool.

When he signed for Liverpool in 2009, Rafae Benitez, the then manager said of his player: “He is a good passer, the final ball is good, and he also works. If he can settle down properly in England he can be a very good addition. I think the signing should excite the fans.”

However, he simply was unable to settle in England like Benitez had hoped, and everyone involved will probably be pleased with him moving on, back to his country where he is no doubt more comfortable with his style of play.

Submitted by DBSFootball