Liverpool will swoop this week for Aston Villa’s Stewart Downing in a £16m deal. The move will come in spite of the furore surrounding the Villa manager’s post with Alex McCleish all set for talks today.
Kenny Dalglish is in urgent need of a wide man. With a central midfield that boasts Gerrard, Spearing, Lucas, Henderson, Shelvey, Jovanovic, Poulsen and perhaps even Aquilani next season, and only Maxi Rodriguez, striker Dirk Kuyt, and the ghost of Joe Cole to play on the wings, it is clear where Liverpool lack depth.
Having shelled out £35m on Andy Carroll, a wide player is essential to the side. And though this will involve at least one more expensive signature, the potential returns from their star striker would surely begin to pay both of these figures back sooner rather than later.
Downing finished the season in fantastic form for Villa and is currently enjoying his best run in the England team. The former Middlesborough man will surely be taking note of team-mate Ashley Young’s transfer stance which has seen the England international secure a move to Manchester United.
The issue is made all the more pressing by today’s announcement from Maxi Rodriguez that he intends to leave the club. This however will prove to be a blessing in disguise. Rodriguez’s two hat-tricks last season papered over what has otherwise been a very indifferent spell for him at Anfield. Downing will be wholly more productive than the Argentinian.
This will see the new Aston Villa boss (whoever the ‘eck that will be!) inherit a squad bereft of three of its most talented players with Young’s agreed move to United and Brad Friedel’s move to Tottenham, but with funds in place to begin to process of rebuilding.
