Baros can leave but only for right price
Aug 1 2005
By Ian Doyle, Daily Post
SCHALKE and Aston Villa must both improve their offers if they are to take Milan Baros from Liverpool.
Bundesliga outfit Schalke claimed over the weekend that they have agreed personal terms with the Czech striker, who has been deemed surplus to requirements by Rafael Benitez. But Anfield officials will dismiss the German side's attempts to take the 23-year-old on loan for a year with a view to a permanent move.
Liverpool will not entertain any temporary departure of the player and are demanding a £7million transfer fee up front for Baros.
That figure has not been reached by either Schalke or Aston Villa, but a compromise deal of around £6.5m could be brokered.
Schalke, though, appear to be in pole position in the race for the player's signature after coach Ralf Rang-nick stated Baros had signaled his intention to join.
"We've agreed things with Baros and his agent," said Rangnick.. "He wants to come to us."
Schalke general manager Rudi buttauer added yesterday: "We have not yet spoken about all the figures (money) yet.
"But we want Baros for a year on loan and at the same time an option to buy for 2006. If we carry this off, it would be Schalke's biggest transfer of all time."
Liverpool will use the money to bring in at least two more players before the start of the Premiership season, with Benitez having earmarked further squad reinforcement.
"I am still looking for a centre-back and a right- winger and we need to bring these players in during the next seven days," said Benitez.
Benitez is expected to make a fresh attempt to convince Deportivo La Coruna into selling centre-back Jorge Andrade.
The Portuguese international has appeared for the Spanish club this season in the Intertoto Cup - scoring the winner against Newcastle United last week - but as the competition is not given full status by UEFA, he would not cup-tied for the Champions League.
Benitez has also not given up on luring Luis Figo from Real Madrid, although he faces competition from former club Valencia after the Portuguese midfielder's move to Inter Milan collapsed.
With much transfer activity expected at Anfield this week, Benitez may firm up his interest in Bolton Wanderers winger Stelios Giannakopoulos, whose future has been the subject of much speculation over the summer.
The Greek international has entered the last year of his contract at the Reebok Stadium, and an offer of £1m would likely be enough to persuade Bolton manager Sam Allardyce to part with the 31-year-old.
"There is no way we want to lose him as he is a very valuable player for us," said Allardyce yesterday.
"But somebody can bid so much money you cannot resist it and if that is the case then life moves on for a club like ours."
Liverpool also continue to monitor Michael Owen's situation at Real Madrid, but no move is yet imminent for the former Anfield striker.
* LIVERPOOL have been drawn to play either Sydney FC or Costa Rica's Deportivo Saprissa in the FIFA Club World Championship in December.
European champions Liverpool have been seeded and will join the revamped holders of the Libertadores Cup.
Sydney and Deportivo will meet in Tokyo on December 12 to decide which side will face Liverpool in the last four.
