Latest transfer rumours

Last updated : 13 April 2003 By Martyn Elliott

Obviously no week would be complete without several stories linking us with Chelsea’s John Terry and Brazilian international Kleberson, but there have been some interesting new rumours.

According to the Italian press Juventus and France defender Lilian Thuram is at the top of Sir Bobby’s shopping list as long as we qualify for the Champions League.

Any world class player would be a welcome addition to the squad, but as Manchester United claimed not to be able to afford Thuram’s wages last summer this one seems a little unlikely.

A more realistic target may well be Barcelona’s veteran defender Frank de Boer who is out of contract at the end of the season. A defender who is good going forward but can’t defend - sounds familiar!

Another defender mentioned is Alberto Lopo of Espanyol. I haven’t seen him play but he is reputed to be one of the best defenders in La Liga and his club are only prepared to sell him because of their perilous financial state.

More worrying is a report that Sir Bobby is monitoring the availability of Liverpool’s Jamie Carragher who is set to be replaced by Fulham’s Steve Finnan in the summer. Lets hope there’s no truth in this, we don’t need another right back and we certainly don’t need one who is nowhere near as good as Aaron Hughes and Andy Griffin.

Another Liverpool player we are apparently interested in is Czech Republic international striker Milan Baros, despite Gerard Houllier’s recent comments that the player is not for sale.

Two goalkeepers are also reported to be attracting the attention of our European scouts, with Matus Kozacik of Slavia Prague and Italy Under-21 international Marco Amelia of Livorno the pair in question.

One former player making the headlines is Jon Dahl Tomasson who will apparently move from AC Milan to Barcelona in the summer, with Thiago Motta going the other way in a straight swap deal.