By Guest Writer Ryan Kane.
Speculation has recently emerged that Jose Mourinho is set to offer Rafael van der Vaart and Fernando Gago in part exchange for Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard. Let’s face it – Its not going to happen. It has become clear in recent years that the prospect of an increased salary was never before enough to draw the tenacious midfielder from his role as captain at Anfield. So why now?
Despite their disappointing Premier League campaign last term, Liverpool have it all to play for going into the 2010/11 season with Jamie Carragher stating last week that the clubs “main priority” is to make it into the Champions League. Meaning they would need to once again join the race along with the likes of Man City, Arsenal, Aston Villa and Tottenham if they are to challenge for a top 4 finish.
Many on Merseyside feel that newly appointed manager Roy Hodgson is the right man to take Liverpool forward as the club attempts to build on the dismal performances of last term. Newly appointed Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho has been clear to state his interest in Gerrard, singling out the England midfielder as his main target this summer. The reported part exchange offer of Rafael van der Vaart and Fernando Gago will leave Hodgson with room for thought, albeit any fan on Merseyside would opt for the passion and leadership that the so-called “irreplaceable” Steven Gerrard bestows to the side.
Gerrard, who has made 366 appearances for Liverpool to date, has three years remaining on his Liverpool contract and is said to be valued in the region of £30 million. The 30-year old talisman last year signed a two-year deal on top of his previous deal which ran for another two seasons keeping him under contract at Anfield until 2013. The Liverpool skipper reiterated his desire to stay at the club in 2005 when he snubbed a multi-million pound move to Chelsea, instead opting to sign a new four year deal at Anfield. A year prior to that, Liverpool’s Michael Owen made the illustrious switch to Real Madrid for an estimated £8 million.
Liverpool fans were once again assured of Gerrard’s commitment to the club last week following a statement from Jamie Carragher. The central defender said he was “confident” that both Gerrard and Fernando Torres would “still be at the club next season”.
Real Madrid have also been linked with a move for Chelsea’s Ashley Cole whilst Liverpool are said to interested in obtaining the services of Japan’s Yashuhito Endo following the midfielder’s impressive World Cup campaign.
