Liverpool News: Fernando Torres and Pepe Reina ready to use secret escape clauses to quit in January
Fernando Torres and Pepe Reina are ready to quit Liverpool F.C. in the January transfer window - using an escape clause that was included in their contracts after the departure of the Spanish boss Rafa Benitez.
The Escape Clause
The Spanish pair was bound to leave in the summer but they were eventually persuaded to remain at the club after 3 days of talks with Christian Purslow (the club’s chief executive), who quit last week following the sale of the
club.
In that meeting, the players were promised that the club will sign a big-name manager replacing Roy Hodgson and will compete in the transfer market to bring in world-class players.
They eventually agreed to stay at the club, but only on one condition: that an "Escape Clause" is included in their contracts.
It is believed that the Spaniards are now furious at the management and feel that they have been misled over the club’s future, especially now that Hodgson has been told that there will be no cash available to him and if he wants
to sign, he will have to sell first.
Without a Champions League qualification, the club will struggle to make profits and attract star players as they have nothing to offer in return.
It has been reported that Sir Alex Ferguson is targeting Reina for a sensational switch to Old Trafford in January. Arsene Wenger had already been linked with the Spanish keeper and had a £20m bid rejected in summer. In both cases,
Champions League football will be a huge attraction for him to leave and it is widely expected that he will take that option.
Many big clubs are after Torres, even though his market value is around £50m. Even though clubs don’t make big name signings in mid-season as the top players are cup-tied, he will be available to play in the Champions League thanks
to Liverpool’s failure to qualify for the competition.
Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United have all been linked with the player’s signature in recent times, but only time will tell who get the prize asset.
Broken Promises
Now that all the promises of major team improvement have been broken and the team is currently sitting in the relegation zone, keeping the Spanish pair is perhaps a battle already lost.
When much publicised New England Sports Ventures (NESV) completed a £300m takeover of Liverpool, it was widely expected that the new owners would change the fortunes of the club by bringing in the world-class players.
Reds manager Roy Hodgson’s attempts to steady the ship have failed and with the rumoured departure of their best players in January, things are not going in the right direction.
Liverpool’s strict new transfer policy
To the bitter disappointment of fans, the new owners won’t be giving a free hand to Roy Hodgson when it comes to spending. John Henry, who is NESV’s principal backer and now part of the Liverpool boardroom, wants to see an economic
model that must adapt and become more sensible.
Henry said: “We have to be smart. We have to be more efficient. When we spend a dollar it has to be wisely. We cannot afford player contracts that do not make long-term sense. We have to be smart, bold, and aggressive. It’s a great
challenge.”
From now on, every aspect of Liverpool’s spending will be analysed and assessed by the NESV, including player salaries and fees. If the Liverpool fans were hoping that the January transfer window would bring in world-beaters to
the club, its chances are now lessened given the NESV’s current stance on transfer policy. It is widely expected that Hodgson will have to trim his squad considerably before signing new players.
The Bottom Line
If the top players of Liverpool leave, it will not be a good sign for the Anfield club. Considering the size and history of the club, it will be cruel for the millions of fans around the world to see their favourite team struggling
to survive.
Tags: