Liverpool: Milan consider swapping Klass-Jan Huntelaar for Ryan Babel in loan move

Milan striker Klass-Jan Huntelaar could be about to bag a move to Liverpool with Ryan Babel heading the other way on loan.

According to Milannews.it, Huntelaar is Premier League bound. There is rampant speculation surrounding the player, and the latest idea being floated around in Italy is a move to Anfield.

The report claims Rafa Benitez is looking for a striker, and Huntelaar is the one closest to suiting his needs on Merseyside. The move is likely to be welcomed by the Rossoneri. It's a quick-fix answer to Huntelaar's lack of action, and it could pave the way for Babel, himself the subject of abundant transfer talk, to arrive at Milanello.

It is said Babel can be an alternative to Ronaldinho and Alexandre Pato, while Liverpool could revive Huntelaar ahead of the World Cup. As things stand there have not been any negotiations, and the reports remain unconfirmed at this stage.


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J'avoue avoir suivi la carrière de Huntelaar depuis mon temps à Amsterdam. Je l'y ai vu tout à fait excellent, puis moyen et finalement écarté à Madrid puis au Milan. Ca ne m'empêche pas d'avoir plus que de l'espoir dans le talent, l'implication sur le terrain (à la Kuyt, disons) et le futur du jeune homme. Rappelons aussi qu'en cette année de Coupe du Monde, il a besoin de jouer et prouver sa valeur sinon... pas de voyage en Afrique du Sud. Encore une fois, étant données les performances de Ryan Babel, n'importe qui fera mieux l'affaire et Huntelaar me semble un choix fort judicieux.

Liverpool: mais en quoi est-il important?

Ryan Babel's future at Liverpool remains in the balance after boss Rafa Benitez revealed he is an important part of his plans.

The 23-year-old Holland forward has repeatedly complained about a lack of first-team opportunities with the Reds in the run-up to a World Cup campaign and Birmingham had hoped this week to lure him to St Andrews with a £9million bid.

Benitez rejected that offer and wants Babel to remain at Anfield as he attempts to guide them back into the top four.

"I have not said that Ryan has to leave the club. We received an offer for the player and he said that he did not want to leave the club," Benitez said.

"Therefore we rejected the offer. He is a good player and he works hard, I want him in the squad."

Liverpool are under no pressure to get rid of Babel as they completed the £4.5million sale of Andrea Dossena to Napoli on Friday and are also close to offloading frontman Andriy Voronin to Dynamo Moscow in a £2million deal.

Benitez added: "The Voronin deal is nearing completion but both he and Dossena are different to Babel. They were not playing many matches and wanted to play regularly elsewhere."


Rodriguez deal close (and that's good!)

One player that does look to close to arriving on Merseyside is Atletico Madrid winger Maxi Rodriguez.

The 29-year-old Argentina international is believed to have agreed an 18-month contract, subject to a medical, and is thought to be tying up his loose ends in the Spanish capital.

Benitez said: "We have talked with Madrid and the players' advisors but Rodriguez still has some issues to sort out with Madrid first."

Babel out

Qui va le regretter? je l'avais dit dès qu'on l'avait acheté: il n'a que du potentiel, il ne développera jamais en une vraie star. 2 ans et demi et 9 buts en 67 matches plus tard, nous en voilà presque enfin débarrassé. Je sais pas pourquoi Benitez s'accroche à pas perdre plus de 2m dans l'opération, on a déjà perdu une fortune avec cette chèvre, entre salaire, efforts, sign-on fee, etc. Let him go and good ridance, I say.