View Full Version : Liverpool in bid for Ajax ace
Aido82
09-07-2007, 12:21 PM
Liverpool have made an offer for Ryan Babel, according to the Ajax forward's agent.
The youngster impressed for Holland at the recent European Under 21 Championship and has been strongly linked with Arsenal.
Babel has admitted he envisages playing for the Gunners at some stage in his career, but cast doubt on a summer move to Emirates Stadium.
However, he could now have the option of a transfer to Liverpool after Babel's agent Winnie Haatrecht revealed the UEFA Champions League finalists' interest.
"I won't say anything about the amounts currently mentioned, however I can confirm Ajax have received an official bid from Liverpool," Haatrecht told Dutch magazine Sportweek.
"Ryan has not spoken with the club.
"Only if Ajax tell us they have an agreement, and state we can talk, will phase two begin.
"In that phase you will look at what Liverpool want, what their plans are with Babel.
"After that, the financial part will come, but it's not that far.
"First, we have to wait for both clubs to get a deal."
source http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?hlid=475944&CPID=9&clid=215&lid=4161&title=Liverpool+in+bid+for+Ajax+ace
megager
09-07-2007, 12:52 PM
Good player. Well worth 6.5 million. Might be a cheaper option to Simao and Alves, but he is young, so might not play a big part next year. Arsenal have been tracking him for ages so thats a good sign.
paddypower111
09-07-2007, 03:18 PM
could be a good signing he played good in the u21 championship last month
armaghred
09-07-2007, 05:08 PM
Says on the bbc website that liverpool have bidded around 10mill but ajax are holding out for 13/14 mill.
Fowler's God
09-07-2007, 05:13 PM
Liverpool have made a £10m bid for highly-rated Ajax winger Ryan Babel, BBC Five Live Sport understands.
However, the Dutch club are thought to be holding out for £13.5m for the 20-year-old, who has also been linked to Arsenal.
Babel's agent told Sportweek magazine: "Liverpool have made a bid for Ryan but he hasn't spoken with them.
"We can only speak when Ajax say the clubs have an agreement, and phase two can start, but it's not that far yet."
But Five Live football correspondent Jonathan Legard has been told a deal could go through on Wednesday.
He said: "Liverpool have bid 15m euros (£10m), Ajax want 20 million euros (£13.5m) so there's a gap of about £3.5m.
"He was strongly linked to Arsenal but Liverpool have made their move and it seems they will use the money from Craig Bellamy's move to West Ham to bring in one of Europe's finest young talents."
Babel impressed as part of the Holland Under-21 team that won the recent European Championship.
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez signed striker Fernando Torres from Atletico Madrid last week and admitted he was looking to sign wide players to help supply his new acquisition.
Babel made 27 Eredivisie appearances for Ajax last season, scoring five goals.
Fowler's God
09-07-2007, 05:14 PM
as ArmaghRed said: below is the full report for the BBC...
Liverpool have made a £10m bid for highly-rated Ajax winger Ryan Babel, BBC Five Live Sport understands.
However, the Dutch club are thought to be holding out for £13.5m for the 20-year-old, who has also been linked to Arsenal.
Babel's agent told Sportweek magazine: "Liverpool have made a bid for Ryan but he hasn't spoken with them.
"We can only speak when Ajax say the clubs have an agreement, and phase two can start, but it's not that far yet."
But Five Live football correspondent Jonathan Legard has been told a deal could go through on Wednesday.
He said: "Liverpool have bid 15m euros (£10m), Ajax want 20 million euros (£13.5m) so there's a gap of about £3.5m.
"He was strongly linked to Arsenal but Liverpool have made their move and it seems they will use the money from Craig Bellamy's move to West Ham to bring in one of Europe's finest young talents."
Babel impressed as part of the Holland Under-21 team that won the recent European Championship.
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez signed striker Fernando Torres from Atletico Madrid last week and admitted he was looking to sign wide players to help supply his new acquisition.
Babel made 27 Eredivisie appearances for Ajax last season, scoring five goals.
megager
09-07-2007, 05:37 PM
Typical agent speak
"He was strongly linked to Arsenal but Liverpool have made their move and it seems they will use the money from Craig Bellamy's move to West Ham to bring in one of Europe's finest young talents."
A good player. But I think now people think we have money, the chelsea factor is creeping in. Is for example Benayoun is worth 8 million.
Before our interest, Ajax were seriously considering an offer of less than £6.5 million from Arsenal ( admittedly before the U-21 championships). If Malouda goes for 15 million, then Im sorry, but this kid isnt worth 13.5 million ( he is good but...)
Quaresman was originally proced at 14 million, now they want 17. I now see the rationale in "not paying out like a drunken sailor for players).
It is abit unfair that clubs hold their players to ransom like this, because I'm sure any kid with talent would love to ply his trade with one of the world greatest clubs. It is unfortunate greedy agents and clubs deny them this dream.
Kozma
09-07-2007, 07:02 PM
Steve Claridge in the Guardian did a scouting report on him last week. He had him pegged as a deep lying centre forward a la bergkamp. Thats where he played for holland in the U21 finals.
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/07/03/scouting_report_ryan_babel_aja.html
Garrett
09-07-2007, 07:30 PM
Well
As a player, he sure looks good ... no doubt Rafa has him in mind to help feed Torres, which would be good etc
Lets just hope we don't get done for a small fortune here, though Rafa is smart enough so I doubt he'll be done over too easily :)
.... in the next breath, it's nice to be in a position where we can splash a bit of cash around and get decent players though, ain't it ! :D
Alex Raisbeck
09-07-2007, 08:11 PM
Ill have some of that.
redeagle
09-07-2007, 08:34 PM
he's quality, really quick and strong. Seems to have a good attitude, always raving about him on eurogoals :p
Hopefully it will go through, if it does I would imagine thats us done for the summer.
Malzheimer
10-07-2007, 09:07 AM
Ajax's technical director Martin van Geel said: "Liverpool are very serious about signing Babel and have made an offer a lot higher than before. Because they want him so much, I think we will lose him."
Looks like the deal could be wrapped up soon.
gav003
10-07-2007, 09:25 AM
Looks like we've offered 13.5 million sterling to get him- If that's true Rafa must be sure!
Presume that means the Quaresma rumours were rubbish....
Does that mean the end of any deals for Simao or Alves aswell??
Aido82
10-07-2007, 12:02 PM
think the alves phase has come and gone
as benitez said he would be happy if he got a winger - looks like babel
bit pricey for a 20 year old.
wonder what formation we will play next season, will gerrard play a secondary striker role??
Going on what I have read in the past Rafa likes to play 4-2-3-1 which would mean 3 attacking players playing off Torres I guess...
Would imagine that would be Gerrard plus two from Kewell, Babel, Pennant, Kuyt etc
WexRed
10-07-2007, 01:30 PM
He doesn't sound like a winger to me but that aside 6.5m -> 10m -> 13.5m. Thats a big jump. I think if we're getting him at that price Rafa will probably be content with him and Torres being the attacking/winger additions with both Kewell and and Pennant having crucial seasons ahead of them now to prove their worth.
Some of the prices quoted for recognised wingers who may provide but prob won't score a lot seemed to be too high and rising after the Torres deal. They may be established but also may not be value for money in terms of being a bit long in the tooth to adjust to the Prem, seems a value risk if costing much more than 10m. I would see the fact he's adding a 23 and 20 year old as a good thing, remembering what he did with Agger !
If that valuation is correct then, presuming we're interested in these, I could see Benayoun, Heinze and a (prob unknown) right full back coming in. It would seem the balance of transfer money given what we've spent and whats come in will cover that but another expensive winger would prob only leave money for one more ~5m addition.
Saying that Babel to me sounds more Benayoun like then winger like if he is as described in a linked article another Denis Bergkamp. I'm suspicious that maybe the price is exageratted and we're still targetting another winger. This would make sense if you cater for the supposed Benayoun money being used for Babel and the balance going on a winger and say Heinze or another full back.
redeagle
10-07-2007, 02:27 PM
I'd rather pay that price then what chelsea did for malouda who isn't great.
Oi wexred, i had that avatar first.... :mad:
gav003
10-07-2007, 02:59 PM
shirts off in the carpark after school lads it the only way to sort it:p
Hehe.... bloody hell, he has the same shirt on as me.... :eek:
WexRed
10-07-2007, 08:29 PM
How much are you willing to bet on that mate ?
WexRed
10-07-2007, 08:37 PM
I bags all rights are transferred from the original Irish Kop :p
My former identity (http://z15.invisionfree.com/Irish_Kop/index.php?showuser=168)
I've had that avatar so long I'm nearly getting bored of it sure :D
I'll tell ya what I'll make a change and pass on the mantle given its all change these days with the site and the club and afterall Robbie has moved on too. Also my post count is so low now its time for a fresh start and new clothes :rolleyes:
Rafa The Genius shall be my new avatar to replace cheeky Robbie. I remember particularly searching for Robbie's pic way back when, it is a bit iconic and sums him up, enjoy !
Dub13
11-07-2007, 10:59 AM
http://www.breakingnews.ie/sport/mhkfidojkfkf/
Liverpool have been urged to tie up a deal for Ajax forward Ryan Babel by the end of the weekend.
According to Dutch newspaper AD Sportwereld, the Reds have increased their offer for the 20-year-old by €2m to €17m (£11.5m).
Babel’s representative Winnie Haatrecht is keen to push the transfer through quickly with the player due to report back to Ajax on Monday for the first time since the European Under-21 Championships.
“We need to have an agreement before Monday,” said Haatrecht.
“And to go to Ajax first and go away again after that is something we don’t want.”
But Haatrecht is happy with the speed at which dealings have taken place so far with the Merseysiders.
“If all is good in a transfer, it always goes fast,” he said.
“Up until now it indeed looks as if the speed is right, that’s a good sign. But there is no white smoke yet, so we will wait and see what happens.”
Liverpool have also signed 17-year-old Millwall striker David Amoo for an undisclosed fee and he will start training at the club's academy today.
Academy head of recruitment Malcolm Elias said: “David is an exciting young talent with fantastic physical prowess.”
Two youth team players, goalkeeper Martin Hansen and striker Michael Collins, have signed their first professional contracts after turning 17.
Liverpool’s backroom team has also been strengthened with Spaniard Angel Vales appointed as reserve team coach and head of technical analysis.
The 40-year-old, who has worked at clubs in Spain and Portugal and has been teaching football at degree level at the University of La Coruna, said: “I am delighted that the boss has chosen me for this position and has faith in me to make it a success.”
Fowler's God
11-07-2007, 11:27 AM
http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N156348070711-1214.htm
Liverpool have agreed a fee with West Ham for the transfer of Yossi Benayoun as the Reds also look to secure a deal to bring Dutch youngster Ryan Babel to Anfield.
Benayoun has agreed to join the Reds after rejecting an offer of a new contract at West Ham United while Babel, the star of Holland's success in the recent European Under-21 Championships, has been given permission to talk to Liverpool.
Chief Executive Rick Parry said today: "We've agreed the fee with West Ham for Yossi Benayoun.
"We're not quite there with Ryan Babel yet, but we've now been given permission by Ajax to talk to the player. We hope to reach an agreement with Ajax very shortly."
Looks like both are coming now guys for definite
Fair play to you WexRed.... as a reward for your generosity here is a clip of Babel I found
A couple of Henry-Esque moments in this one although someone will have to talk to him about his celebration, he could take someone's eye out!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1nK8k8Mrcg
megager
11-07-2007, 12:21 PM
RYAN Babel headed to Liverpool today to complete his move from Ajax as Yossi Benayoun became the latest addition to Rafa Benitez’s squad.
On another highly successful day of negotiating for chief executive Rick Parry, the Reds agreed deals with West Ham and were given permission by Ajax to discuss terms with Babel.
The 20-year-old Dutch forward will meet Anfield officials and prepare to undergo a medical at Melwood while Liverpool look to close the deal.
Benayoun also concludes the formalities of his switch from Upton Park today. The fee for Benayoun is reported as £5m, but officially both clubs have agreed to keep the figure undisclosed.
The Reds are expecting to pay around £10m for the youngster
carragherisgod
11-07-2007, 01:07 PM
Man he looks GOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!!
Why do we have to do all of our signings on Thursday, seems to be the only day when we do press conferences?
Anyway I am presuming Babel, Benayoun and Kaka will be unveiled tomorrow.... :D
armaghred
11-07-2007, 05:23 PM
Babel agrees personal terms and passes medical.....breaking news on SSN
Fowler's God
11-07-2007, 05:43 PM
Looks like his passed the medical anyway accorrding to anfieldonline.com
http://www.anfield-online.co.uk/lfc-news/2007/07/11/babel-passes-anfield-medical/
marathonman
11-07-2007, 05:51 PM
two clubs just have to agree a fee and its a done deal.
megager
11-07-2007, 08:25 PM
I have to say I would have preferred Quarasma. He is good, but I just dont think this guy is worth the money (6.5 sure but 13.5). If we end up paying 13.5 for babel, why not go the 15 and get a quality winger. unfotunately this could be a mistake.
hope im wrong
gav003
11-07-2007, 09:04 PM
maybe Rafa has saw Quaresma come and go at Barca- fail right at the very top & sees value in a 20 year old that can oush his way into contention immediately? This guy is mustard!
megager
11-07-2007, 09:15 PM
Hope you are right Gav. The guy has oodles of ability, but I wonder is he our missing link between the midfield and front 2 or if he has the ability to get balls into the box from the wings. I suspect in a year or 2 he will be a striker. Just a hunch, and my hunches are way off.
Do you reckon thats it so or is there a chance of quarasma
gav003
11-07-2007, 09:28 PM
like everyone mate I'm only guessing. In my widest dreams I didn't see us speanding the mony we have so far even with the American investment. & to think Hicks has hinted there's another big signing on the way after Babel/Benny... Surely it has to be a defender/ Heinze- unless Kewell is being lined up for the door (Unlikely as Rafa seems to love him)- can't see anothe top winger coming with Babel- but wtf do I know :D:D:D:eek:
Just watched a few clips on YouTube. He seems to have plenty of pace (but with a first touch unlike someone in the South of France) and can ping the ball with either peg. Seems a lot of money though if reports of 11/12M sterling are to be believed but I think people are forgetting the money we have got in.
Levia (8m) Torres (20m initially) Benyoun (4/5 apparently) Babel (11/12 perhaps) =44 or so.
Bellamy (7.5m) + Garcia (4) + Cisse (5 allegedly) + Pongolle (2.7) = 19 or so.
This takes us to a net spend so far of about 25 million which in comparison to United who are trying to buy Europe (doesn't happen that way Alex) I'd say there's a few quid left in the kitty with the new owners + new TV deal money + last season champions league money.......
Garrett
11-07-2007, 10:04 PM
Well
One thing for sure, I guess we all have to give some credit where it's due, Rafa & the Yanks seem to be getting some good work done in the past 10 days .... thankfully, just think back a month ago, we were all going mad having to wait for some sort of news of new signings etc ;)
paddypower111
12-07-2007, 03:59 PM
its a done deal im getting excited with the signings so far
redeagle
12-07-2007, 04:02 PM
Liverpool agree £11.5m Babel deal
Liverpool are set to sign striker Ryan Babel from Ajax after the two clubs agreed an £11.5m deal for the player.
"The striker, who had a contract until 2010, will sign a five-year deal with the Champions League finalists," said a statement on the Ajax website.
The 20-year-old was a member of the Dutch team that won the European Under-21 Championship in June.
More to follow..
its official
Malzheimer
12-07-2007, 04:29 PM
good stuff, nice to see the Yanks not afraid to splash the cash they've earned from the players we've sold.
Would expect a defender and possibly an out and out winger to follow.
Bring on Villa Park excitements building now alright......:cool:
marko
12-07-2007, 04:45 PM
Can't wait for the season to start!!!
Really excited over the new signings,great to see things getting sorted at lot earlier this year should give more time for them to settle before the villa match.
What a difference a few weeks make i was beginning to lose patience but Hicks & Gilette were true to their word.
Jockser
12-07-2007, 11:37 PM
Now THIS is the signing that has me most excited for some strange reason. I was very impressed with his wing work in the euro championships. very speedy and tricky.can play both wings. very good for counter attacking. let have a go at it this season eh!?!? :)
Aido82
13-07-2007, 08:27 AM
i wonder is this the last of the spending, still think we need a right winger to free gerrard and maybe a versatile full back, and micky owen would be nice to have back :)
Please!!!!
redeagle
13-07-2007, 10:07 AM
press conference at 1. So we will see whats the dilio
marko
13-07-2007, 01:52 PM
:)
tosullivan
13-07-2007, 05:27 PM
This guy has me seriously excited...even more than getting Torres
just spent a bit watching him on youtube and he is John Barnes on speed
it looks like we actually have a player that from the clips I can make out is just as good as Henry
this is the one who is gonna make the Kop stand up every game and worship :D :D :D :D
AND HE CAN DO BACK FLIPS...!!!!!!!!!
anyone think he will want the no. 49 shirt?
dougal
13-07-2007, 08:26 PM
Interesting to hear him say that Rafa told him he would be one of 6 fighting for 4 places - gives credence to the 4-2-3-1 formation with 4 forward players.
Also has Rafa got any daughters?;)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/6285040.stm
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