Transfermas Morning, Rolling Updates Edition

By: Noel | January 31st, 2011

After a rather dull start, the transfer window has turned into quite the circus for your average Liverpool fan. And today could be somewhat interesting, to put it mildly.

In “News that has unfortunately been overshadowed by the Torres situation” news, new record signing Luis Suarez has passed his medical, and having already agreed to personal terms it’s the last obstacle before officially signing on as the newest member of Liverpool Football Club. Which is, you know, good. Though that part about “record signing” is also a reminder of just how odd it is that Torres would put up with the last 18 months only to try and bolt once owners willing to prove their ambition had arrived, as well as being a real shame in that what should be one of the happiest times for a Liverpool fan in those past 18 months has suddenly been turned on its head.

Elsewhere, the most common rumours have Liverpool making a run at Ashley Young and one last try for Charlie Adam before the day ends, regardless of what happens on the Torres front. Just how developments–if any–regarding the striker will affect those or any other deals that may or may not be in the works remains to be seen, though rest assured a lot of people will say a lot of things today, and even the most reliable and well meaning will probably be wrong at least as often as not. Then there will be the less reliable and less well meaning sorts to sort through, too. Heck, this seems like the sort of sorting thing the Guardian will probably start a liveblog for at some point, though not having Ryan Babel’s helicopter to track this time around might take some fun out of proceedings.

In other outgoings news, the reports that Paul Konchesky was on his way back to Fulham and Stephen Warnock would be arriving in his place have largely gone quiet after everybody thought it was a done deal, and though there have been occasional quiet whispers about finding a new home for Cole, nothing serious has seemed to develop on that front. Though of course all should recall just how quiet things got on the Suarez front right before good news broke, and also that with the Boston Red Sox, FSG are somewhat notorious for making major moves at the last possible second.

In any case, in any other season landing by far the biggest name to date in the always difficult January window would be reason for celebration. This year, it’s turned out to be rather more complicated than that, which might well be entertaining if it was some other club being robbed of their momentum, but there you go. Whatever happens over the next little bit, do try to play somewhat nice, though as that’s usually not a problem around these parts I suspect that shouldn’t be a problem today. Also, Ed and I won’t be able to be around every minute of the day, particularly early on, so if you do see some reliable and genuinely new breaking news you think everybody needs to know, please pass it along in the comments section.

Otherwise, consider this an open thread for talking about the day’s early developments. You might want to have both your celebratory and misery alcohol at hand. Or, you know, just some sort of crazy and magical drink that would work for either situation, if you want to keep things simple. Here’s hoping we all manage to get through today in one piece.

Update: Ben Smith of The Times says Torres will only be sold today “if their valuation is met AND Dalglish can sign replacements in time.” Well, if it has to be, then that’s about the best that could be hoped for. Hopefully it either is that, or he’s here until at least the summer.

Update (by Ed): Just sabotaging Noel’s post to confirm that Paul Konchesky has been loaned to Nottingham Forest and Daniel Ayala’s headed to Derby, as reported by Kenny Dalglish in his presser. Comments on Suarez and Torres also included via the above link, and as expected, they’re absolute class from the manager. Back to drinking. Er, off to work.

Update (by Ed): Nothing concrete to report as of yet, but talk about Fernando Torres heading to Chelsea has ramped up, as has the talk of Liverpool trying to pry Andy Carroll away from Newcastle. News of Alan Pardew’s scheduled presser this afternoon being canceled has obviously confirmed that the signing is imminent. Or other stuff.

In the meantime, here’s a video of that ominous BWWWAAAAHHHHing noise from Inception set to various mundane events. Seems appropriate for the inevitable horrors we’re about to witness.

Update (by Ed): The Twitter just exploded with news that Liverpool have agreed a £35m fee for Andy Carroll. Or they matched Newcastle’s valuation. Or that’s the cost of the helicopter ride from Newcastle to Liverpool. The Times/Guardian/Mirror all simultaneously releasing the news, and LFC.tv has crashed. That’s big bucks.

Update (by Ed): Right, an update—seems to be quite a bit of outrage about the amount of cash Liverpool are willing to splash on Andy Carroll, given that he’s currently injured and doesn’t necessarily have the most illustrious career. Given that nobody really knows the specifics of the structure of the offer, I guess we wait to see.

And as has been the case over the last few days, Luis Suarez takes a backseat unfortunately. Reports have him taking the number 7 shirt, though, which is actual news that we can get behind. Hopefully he fares better than the last inhabitant…

Update (by Ed): Now there’s news that the latest offer for Andy Carroll has been rejected by Newcastle. Turns out that his rumored visit to Liverpool is now a sightseeing trip, I suppose.

Nothing new on Torres, Ashely Young, Charlie Adam, so the unrelenting assault on your blood pressure continues.

Anyone else looking forward to today being over?

Some Related Liverpool Posts:

Category: Miscellaneous, Premier League, Transfer News

« All the Torres That’s Fit to Torres | Home | The Final Countdown, With More Rolling Updates »

Ibra

"Ronaldinho and Suarez are players who we have never even thought about..." said Hodgson.
Rhymenoceros

I agree with LFC...I think Carroll is going to do well. Ya we probably overpaid for him. But you know what, we are forgetting we got value on Saurez. How bout we flip the amounts on Saurez and Carroll...Suarez at 35mill and Carroll at 22...not so overpaid now?? Plus they both are young and have talent. The future is exciting...torres is the past. He did well for us and it hurts that he wants to go. But as king kenny has said, the only players we want are the ones who want to be here.
Baldrick

Newcastle are still not budging...anyone else thinking that £30m+ is waaaayyy too much for Carroll?

There must be better options out there for that sort of cash?

As it stands Nando is still our No9....here's hoping it stays that way. What's the world record for keeping one's fingers crossed bearing in mind that I have to drive into work in 4hrs?
dsm9412

I still think the move is to talk to him and say that it's just not happening this window and they'll shop him around in summer. Hope he is lightened up by Dalglish and Suarez for the rest of the season, and if not go ahead and transfer him.

Trying to make some of the most important long term decisions with your side seems like a terrible thing to do in eight hours.
Ed

So, £35m for Andy Carroll.
alcatrazzledazzle

Hopefully that's in Turkish lira
Ed

What else would they use?
Rosco

Just seen it scroll by on the sky sports info bar.
Crazy money. What you think?
Baldrick

Carroll making his way to Liverpool.... possibly to agree terms (Sky Sports reliable source)
Ed

That's what we call an oxymoron.
Baldrick

Jeez no need to get personal pal...
Ed

Like you say, it's crazy money, but informed by the Torres debacle and likely driven by the fact that he's young, British, and that Darren Bent was signed for crazy money as well.

I also think I should have taken today off from work, as it's not yet 9:30 and my forehead vein is quite close to exploding.
RussellR

I feel like there are alot of better strikers, who would be much better to go with Suarez... this carrol thing, no thanks. Earlier someone also said something about GOmez from Bayern, now this won't happen, but if it did I'd shoot myself in the face. He's lazy as scheisse for his own national team so I don't want him here. NOt worth it.
Rosco

Where's that came from ed?
Ed

Started with the generic Guardian/Times tweeters, gradually Tony Barrett and Rory Smith chimed in to say that's Newcastle's valuation, and apparently Liverpool have ponied up. Nothing agreed yet, still waiting to see if Newcastle agree.
xantheina

Twitter Trends in the UK:

#bbcfootball
#transferrdeadlineday
#superbowl
Melwood
Andy Carroll

wait... what?
Rosco

Torres' helicopter to land at cobham in the next half an hour.
Good luck with your new team of ageing rejects you turncoat bastard!
Baldrick

Just hope that Kenny has something up his sleeve... he was quoted as saying that Torres wouldn't be allowed to go unless they had a replacement. Personally I reckon this could be a good piece of business for FSG as despite standing up to the myth before I do feel that we are a bit too reliant on G&T. Suarez is a massive talent all we need is a recognised striker in the mould of Aldo/Rushie to play up front. Although a fantastic striker Torres is moody, injury-prone and it's now pretty clear he has been looking for a move like this for some time. Thanks for the memories and good luck Nando.... I have a feeling you may need it.
Rosco

Have to agree with you on all points there, even though it does leave a bitter taste in the mouth. FSG seem to be sticking to their morals as we are being linked with quality young players.

Just hope kennys ace up the sleeve ain't Andy Carrol
Baldrick

What's not to like? The guy's been banging them in regularly enough??
Kai

What? The girls?
Rosco

Half a season of form in the premier league doesn't merit 30 million smackers in my book.
Maybe a touch cynical considering his age
Baldrick

Suarez to wear the coveted No 7............no pressure!!
Rosco

Im Sure the main man will let him know exactly what it means
RedDownUnda

Just read that ManU have rejected bid for Howard Webb.
Tawfiq

I wonder how Jovanovic would look as central striker and Suarez on the left and Kuyt on the right.. It sounds crazy but it might be an option.. Dont look like we will be signing anyone before deadline .. I seriously hope at least Charlie Adam.. Because simply I dont think Villa and Newcastle will allow their peeps move out that easily..
Looking at videos for players proposed to liverpool only one i liked relatively was Negredo but having Carrol would be bril, though it seems out of reach as he loves his childhood team.. Cant blame him.. Gomez from Bayern is not allowed to leave as I read earlier, he is my fav to land honestly.. but I'd rather have someone with a fighting spirit and I would like to see Liverpool not depend on 1 or 2 players, because we will never win any trophies like that..
Having a south american forward will remind us (hopefully) of liverpool golden days..
Lets hope for the best, im planning on staying online till the closure of winter transfers because I have a feeling something will turn up..
Cheers
YNWA
Yann

I always thought foreplay was meant to be enjoyable but this is slowly killing me.
Rosco

Urban legend that . . . Foreplay's well over-rated.
Yann

A bit like Andy Carroll
Rosco

Well if we are already bidding with the Torres money I'd say his leaving is just a formality now
RedDownUnda

Suarez and Carrol. I can see it now, if one doesn't bite your ear off, the other will punch your lights out. Haven't had this much bastardry around since Tommy Smith. Ahh, the good old days. 30 Mill though????
Rosco

Andy freaking carrol!!
RedDownUnda

Andy freakin' Carroll what???
Rosco

"Newcastle reject 30million pound bid from Liverpool for Andy Carrol"
Yann

Being reported that a £30million bid has been made for him by LFC. WTF?
Rosco

I'm sorry, Darren bent is a proven premier league striker and I thought 24 was over the odds for him. 30m for Andy carrol is just ludicrous
justin

It's certainly going to be sad to see Torres leave but it has definitely made it all the more interesting looking at how the Club have been handling it. Liverpool are clearly a club on the up and while that might not be quick enough for a certain Fernando, what awaits is an exciting future for anyone related with the Club.

Tough, but exciting times for sure. Most people now would've probably gotten over the emotional state of how Torres has handled the situation (still can't believe he'd not want a proper sending off with dignity and all) and if we're able to get a couple of better players like those mentioned (young, carrol, etc) it will definitely won't be the end of the Club but a rebirth of sorts.

It might just be the time Liverpool cease to be over reliant on Gerrard and Torres and have a real team instead. Thinking back on how Henry left Arsenal which allowed more players to blossom comes to mind as well.
PDubz18

Inter Milan offloaded Ibrahimovic after the 08-09 season because the team was way too reliant on his heroics. The next season, boom treble. Torres might be the same way.

And also, when Henry left Arsenal, they stopped winning trophies.
Rosco

Ayala off to derby on loan
Yann

Rumours on Twitter that Liverpool have removed all Fernando Torres promotional images and videos from their website. Can anyone verify this?
Rosco

Haven't heard anything concrete. Though regardless whether he leaves or not he's probably not the best candidate to be promoting us at the moment.
Bjornhofvendahl

Konchesky out on loan - finally.http://www.skysports.com/story/0,1952...
Rosco

Dalgleish press conference coming up If anyone can get sky sports
Jimson46

I think Luis Suarez would bring some talent to Liverpool and would be a great attacking option for Dalglish. Liverpool would benefit from his skills and so would future < a href="http://www.sportsidols.co.uk/l...">Liverpool Memorabilia for Liverpool fans :)
Rosco

After following toothless Chaz Adam for years at Rangers and St Mirren if we fork out 10 million for him I may blow my brains out. Ashley Young would be an exciting prospect.

Still wouldn't rule out an audacious Ageuro bid also
Yann

Rosco, do tell. What's got you spooked re Adam? Is he lazy?
Rosco

Well in his defence, he wasn't played in his current and clearly best position. The team is built around him at Blackpool, something that sure as hell ain't gonna happen at anfield. Stick him elsewhere on the park and he's worse than useless.

See koncheskys off to Nottingham forest, certainly more his arena!
Yann

Good. Now he can go crying to his mummy and hide under her stinking skirt.

On Torres, part of me can’t stop thinking the Hodgson disaster with its dramatic lowering of ambition for a once proud club has much to do with Torres’ state of mind and once momentum for change builds in a player it is hard to quell. Anyway...whatever.
Kai

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/n...