By Thom Drake
|
Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard has given his owners plenty to think about after saying he would love to see Wesley Sneijder play alongside him at Anfield.
However, the Dutchman, who had been completely out of favour at Inter Milan, looks set to join Turkish club Galatasaray for a fee of 8.3million, only days after the deal appeared to be off.
Although his wages are thought to be around 120,000 a week, Gerrard has been clear that he could be perfect for Liverpool.
Restless: Wesley Sneijder has been told to make his mind up fast
'He's a top player we've seen at every major tournament, he delivers,' Gerrard said on Goals on Sunday. 'He's done it in the Champions League for years.
'But we have to see on his wages, the man I think gets paid very well. He'll have all kinds of options, I'm sure.
'But I'd like nothing more than to see him in a red shirt. I think he'd be a fantastic player for Liverpool Football Club.'
Perfect pairing: Steven Gerrard would love to play with the Dutch master
Gerrard's wish may hindered by the fact Inter president Massimo Moratti today revealed that a deal with Galatasary was close to completion.
Moratti told inter.it: 'I met Sneijder. I wanted to have a chat with him, I thought we needed to.
'Have we made peace? I don't think there was ever a war in the first place, and certainly not with me personally.
'Is he close to a move to Galatasaray? Yes, I think so.'
When quizzed on any other potential signings for the Reds, Gerrard said: 'We may need a bit more cover defensively.'
'And another, maybe a No 10 or attacking style player who can play out wide as well, I think that'll give us exactly what we need to push for this top four.'
Liverpool's owners have stated their intention to continue a policy of buying youth, explaining the signings of players such as Jordan Henderson, Fabio Borini and Daniel Sturridge.
Any bid for Sneijder, 28, would be against this directive.
Dutch delight: Sneijder would join a host of other players from Holland in England
Gerrard also commented on the ongoing situation of Luis Suarez, who he said is still trying to adapt to the English lifestyle.
'He is trying to deal with it [the English culture], he is trying to learn. He's not shutting away from it,' Gerrard said.
'He's been really open to it [diving admission] and admitted to it in the interview. He'll learn from it. It's down to the likes of myself, and Jamie [Carragher] around him to help him and guide him as well.
'He is still only young, and he is only learning. But for me, I'd rather focus on the good stuff that he does. We'll be talking about this guy for many, many years.'
'As Gary [McAllister] says, he's in the top five best players in the world, comfortably. I think outside Messi and Ronaldo, I'll argue with anyone that he's as good as anyone else.'
Deluded club. Deluded fans. Why would he go to that cesspit?
- Andy. , Manchester, United Kingdom, 20/1/2013 18:22
Report abuse