Vieira for Liverpool
Benitez wants to bring in ex-Arsenal star to boost injury-ravaged squad
Patrick Vieira during his time at Arsenal. Photo: Getty Images
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Friday November 27 2009
UNDER-FIRE Rafa Benitez is poised to make a daring bid to bring former Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira to Anfield.
Vieira -- currently struggling at Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan -- is desperate to make a last-ditch bid to enter the World Cup plans of France boss Raymond Domenech and is determined to go on a short-term deal with a high-profile club.
While both Tottenham and Barcelona have been linked with the 33-year-old, the indications from Italy last night were that Benitez is strongly considering making a swoop when the transfer window reopens in January.
The French international has struggled to break into Mourinho's side this season and is resigned to the fact he must leave Italy if he is to regain his place in the French squad for South Africa.
Spurs manager Harry Redknapp considered a move for Vieira in the summer and would be keen to resuscitate the deal, but Benitez is now tracking Vieira's status as he looks for reinforcements for his injury-hit squad.
Liverpool, meanwhile, have diminished Everton's hopes of building a shared ground on Merseyside after sources confirmed the Anfield club remain opposed to the move.
Everton's chief executive, Robert Elstone, revealed yesterday that a groundshare would be an option his club were prepared to investigate as they attempt to find a new home following the decision to block their proposed 50,000-seater stadium at Kirkby.
"A shared ground is certainly one of the options we will need to cover," said Elstone. "It is an option if it is affordable. We have to look at where we can raise money, because potentially Liverpool will have to contribute to that, and Liverpool City Council might perhaps need to find some money."
Liverpool have always remained firmly against the proposition that the two clubs build a stadium as a joint venture and sources at Anfield reiterated that.
"We are progressing with our own stadium," said the club's deputy executive director, Peter Shaw. "Once the financial markets reopen for business it will progress further."
The prospect of groundsharing is highly controversial, with large numbers of fans of both hues on Merseyside vehemently opposed to any such project. (© Daily Telegraph, London)
- Rory Smith
Irish Independent
