Litmanen prepares to leave Liverpool

Alan Nixon
Monday 26 August 2002 19:00 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Jari Litmanen is planning a quick exit from Liverpool. The unhappy Finn, who cleared out his locker at the training ground yesterday, is wanted by Galatasaray and could sign for the Turkish club before the transfer deadline at the weekend. Litmanen is officially away from Anfield on "family business". However, Galatasaray officials believe he has decided to join them and will go to Istanbul in the next 48 hours.

Galatasaray are also close to beating Bolton to the signing of Bordeaux's Brazilian striker, Christian, after agreeing a one-year loan deal with a £1.5m signing at the end of it.

Blackburn Rovers are winning the tussle with Everton over Moreno Torricelli. Their manager, Graeme Souness, was in more talks with the Fiorentina and former Juventus defender last night and hopes to conclude a deal today. Torricelli, 32, had a medical at Blackburn after looking round the ground on the day he was due to start training with Everton.

Michael Reiziger, the Barcelona defender, said he would fight to stay despite rumours linking him with a swap deal for Chelsea's Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink. "I'm in a difficult position because my colleagues are playing well, but I am not going to throw in the towel. Neither Chelsea nor Barcelona have said anything to me," he said.

Sunderland's manager, Peter Reid, re-opened talks with Ajax's Swedish striker, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, in an attempt to sign a forward before the deadline. Reid is now willing to match the Dutch club's £8m valuation of the young prospect but faces a tough job convincing the Swede, who played as a substitute at the World Cup. He feels he should be playing for a leading Italian or Spanish club. Reid's second choice would be the Nantes striker, Pierre Yves André.

Aston Villa's manager, Graham Taylor, is close to admitting defeat in his attempt to sign Ipswich's captain, Matt Holland, despite offering the Republic of Ireland international a pay rise.

Taylor wanted to link Holland with his countryman, Mark Kinsella, in the centre of midfield but is resigned to looking elsewhere because Holland is unwilling to uproot his family from East Anglia. Taylor said: "It is looking less likely to happen now. We have offered him more than he's on Ipswich, but he has a very good quality of life there."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in