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He'll walk alone: Steven Gerrard so fed up with Rafa Benitez he's ready to quit his beloved Liverpool

daily mail

Liverpool fear that captain Steven Gerrard’s frustration with life under Rafael Benitez
will see him leave Anfield this summer if he gets the right offer.

Gerrard has been a Liverpool player for more than 11 years, making more than 400 appearances for the club that he almost led to Barclays Premier League glory a year ago.

But Sportsmail understands that the Anfield hierarchy are concerned by the lack of a relationship between the midfielder and manager Benitez and fear he will look at other options this summer.

With Benitez’s game of bluff and counter-bluff with the Liverpool board over his future at an impasse, it seems likely that the Spaniard will still be at the club next season.
 
It is feared, however, that this will heighten Gerrard’s sense of gloom with regard to the future and many people at the club are thought to feel it unlikely that the next campaign will begin with both manager and captain on board.

Having missed out on Champions League qualification with a dismal seventh place League finish this season, Benitez and his players are aware that there is little money to spend on new talent, something that is a big worry to Gerrard as he looks to win the title at his beloved club.

With Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal cemented as the top three teams in the country and Tottenham and Manchester City ready to challenge again next season, Gerrard is aware that his chances of winning the title with Liverpool are remote.

It is understood that he feels Benitez has been given the chance to take Liverpool
forward but, having failed to build on 2005’s amazing Champions League win, has not been able to take it.
 
Benitez and the Liverpool board are aware that star striker Fernando Torres is wondering whether his career could benefit from a move, but there is now a feeling that Gerrard is the player more likely to leave.

The 29-year-old remains frustrated that he has not won a League title and knows that
time is running out. A move abroad is most likely to tempt him and Real Madrid will certainly be interested if Jose Mourinho takes over this summer.
Twice, in 2004 and 2005, Gerrard almost left Liverpool to join Mourinho at Chelsea
and a move to Spain would be the perfect way out for the Liverpool skipper.

At home, Manchester City made their own tentative interest but realise Gerrard will not
go to Eastlands despite not having to uproot his family.

A fee in excess of £25million for Gerrard would at least give Benitez room to manoeuvre in the transfer market.

But it is understood that support for Benitez in the dressing room is far from unanimous.

With Liverpool losing 10 League games last season, there is a feeling among some players that his tactics have lost direction and what will surprise many fans is that Torres has reservations about this, too.
The Spain striker has been a sensation in the three years he has spent at Anfield and is recognised as one of the best centre forwards in the world.

However, City and Chelsea have firm interest in him, too, and the 26-year-old has failed to declare that his future remains on Merseyside.

Palermo in bid to sign £8.5m rated West Ham midfielder Valon Behrami

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Palermo have vowed to pull out the stops in their attempts to sign Valon Behrami from West Ham United.



The Hammers are prepared to listen to offers for anyone but Scott Parker this summer and an £8.5million price tag has been mooted for the impressive Switzerland international.

Palermo have long been linked with an attempt to take the 25-year-old former Lazio player back to Serie A and sporting director Walter Sabatini confirmed: 'I will do everything I can to bring Behrami to Palermo.
'He is a candidate, an excellent reinforcement, but a player who at the moment plays for another team. 'I like Behrami very much. We are trying to sign him, even if it is difficult.'

 Premier League target: Palermo defender Simon Kjaer
West Ham paid £5m for Behrami two years ago and have enjoyed his versatility on the right side of midfield and defence - or in central midfield.

Palermo could have money to spend if excellent Denmark defender Simon Kjaer leaves this summer, as expected. Juventus are pushing to sign the 21-year-old, but Manchester United, City and Tottenham Hostpur are also keen on him.

Palermo are hampered by their star centre half having a £10.3m release clause written into his contract and Sabatini said: 'Everyone knows Kjaer's situation well. 'The clause has tied our hands together, we tried to increase it, or get rid of it altogether, but his agent rejected it.

'A sale depends on the player. If he accepts a top club offer then he will go. Or, if he wants, he can stay with Palermo another season to continue his development.'

Not quite Jimmie. The difference in transfer fees maybe £3.5m but you also have two years wages you have paid the bloke. Now that will lower that £3.5m a good bit!

daily telegraph

Ireland, 23, has informed City manager Roberto Mancini and City’s football administrator Brian Marwood that he wishes to leave the club after losing his first-team spot during the 2009-10 campaign.



The former Republic of Ireland international is just 12 months into a five-year contract at City, but the Cork-born midfielder failed to repeat his impressive form of last season and both Mark Hughes and his successor, Mancini, left Ireland out of their team on numerous occasions this term.
 
While Mancini is keen to retain Ireland, the Italian has assured the player that he will respect his desire to leave Eastlands should the club receive a suitable offer for the £10 million-rated player.

A part-exchange deal involving James Milner could emerge should Aston Villa reject any advance on City’s £20 million offer for the England midfielder.

Gemma would be gutted if he left Toffeeland!

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Arsenal eyeing Simon Kjaer, Pape Diakhate and shock move for Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer

Arsenal are still interested in Palermo's £10m-rated defender Simon Kjaer and Dinamo Kiev's Senegalese centre half Pape Diakhate.

Kjaer's agent, former Middlesbrough striker, Mikkel Beck said: 'I have encouraged him to try the Premier League.'

Gunners target: Defender Simon Kjaer

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is also considering a move for Fulham's veteran goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer.

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West Ham have had a £5million offer for Everton striker Yakubu turned down.



Sportsmail revealed West Ham's interest earlier this month and they have made the first step in testing Everton's resolve - only to be rebuffed.

Goodison manager David Moyes has limited funds and is keen on Manchester City's Craig Bellamy but he would want closer to the £11.25m he paid for 27-year-old Yakubu before considering a sale.

He is also bracing himself for an offer from Tottenham for Steven Pienaar so is determined to strengthen rather than weaken his squad first.

Moyes, who has also fended off interest from Manchester City in Mikel Arteta, is interested in Marseille's Hatem Ben Arfa and Cardiff's out of contract midfielder Joe Ledley - but he faces competition from Stoke, Wigan and Newcastle in 23-year-old Wales international.