Liverpool are reportedly lining up a bid for Stoke City captain Ryan Shawcross as Kenny Dalglish looks to strenghen his defence ahead of the forthcoming season. Having seen his side concede 12 goals in four pre-season friendlies the Anfield manager is said to be keen on signing the centre back as the Merseyside club look to claw their way back into the Premier League top four.
Shawcross has been a virtual ever present at the Britannia Stadium over the past four seasons and has helped conduct Tony Pulis’s well marshalled defence and the Potters boss is sure to fight to keep the former Man United man from leaving the club.
However the England hopeful, who this month confirmed he would not consider a Welsh call up, may feel that a high profile move may help his chances of securing his first senior international cap. The uncompromising defender is valued at around £12m and despite guiding Stoke City to a Europa League spot, Shawcross may feel the time is right to make a step up.
Dalglish has a number of issues with the centre backs he can currently call upon. Danish international Daniel Agger has his fair share of injury problems and defensive mainstay Martin Skrtel has missed the entire pre-season programme with a calf problem and both Jamie Carragher and Sotirios Kyrgiakos are over 30 years of age and therefore there is a very real need to beef up options at the back.
Having spent upwards of £50m this summer Liverpool are now looking to solidify their defence and with that in mind brought in Roma keeper Doni to keep number one custodian Pepe Reina on his toes and Kenny Dalglish is hoping that Shawcross will be tempted by a move to a club pushing for a Champions League spot.
Can't see Ryan going to Liverpool to be honest, especially as we have a wafer thin squad already!
ReplyDeleteI hope that too. PC has said he's not joining when Everton wanted him. But it's all about the money, especially with Woodgate signing for us
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