Rafael Benitez has promised there will be at least one new big-name striker at Liverpool before the start of the season but admits he has no idea when the Gareth Barry saga will be concluded.
The Liverpool boss has admitted his exasperation at the drawn-out campaign to prise Barry from Aston Villa, which shows no sign of ending.
And the Spaniard has also revealed the growing financial problems he is having in the transfer market.
He admits that Tottenham skipper Robbie Keane is a target, but although he is also a big fan of Valencia and Spain striker David Villa, a move seems unlikely.
Benitez unveiled two new full-backs today, Swiss international Philipp Degen and £6million Italian defender Andrea Dossena, and expects to formally announce a £3million deal for Brazilian goalkeeper Diego Cavalieri in the near future.
But it has become increasingly obvious that Benitez is working with a much smaller budget than was expected at the end of last season when figures of £25-30million were being suggested as a potential kitty.
He admitted: "We know the situation regarding what we can spend, and we are trying to find solutions if we do not have enough money.
"And we will still try to sign players that will make us better. But if you do not have too much money, and that is clear, we will have to have a little bit of imagination to progress in the market.
"Everyone knows what our ideas are and what players we want. We are working hard with different names now, and at the moment that is not (David) Villa.
"We will have another main striker before the season starts, maybe two."
He added: "We had our ideas at the end of the season. We have tried to use players to raise money for business in the past, sometimes selling players who have not settled down.
"This summer it is very much the same idea. We know we will have to sell some players if we want some cash. So we have to do that.
"The fans must trust us, we are working hard during the summer with a lot of people in different countries working for us.
"We have a new keeper. And we are looking for a lot of players for the right price.
"Now if we want to spend we can do it. But we have to be careful what we do spend."
Liverpool have been linked continually with Irish striker Keane.
Benitez said: "David Villa is one of the players on our list, but at this moment I do not see it being an option for us.
"Keane is also one of the names we are interested in, and we are still working on other possible situations.
"There has been some contact (over Keane) but we will have to see how things progress."
On Villa, he added: "We know he is a very good player, we know the price, and we know the players we have. At this moment he is not our target.
"We are still waiting on Gareth Barry. I prefer now not to say anything and to wait."
Sources at the club claim the price for the midfielder could have risen above the £18million Villa boss Martin O'Neill was believed to want.
There is a growing frustration at Anfield with the continual shifting of the position, and the elimination from the deal of several Reds players who initially interested Villa, but who are now not on O'Neill's wishlist.
And now the fact that Barry is banned from Villa's training ground and has already missed a week of vital pre-season work is also worrying Liverpool and could, it is claimed, affect their willingness to meet Villa's demands regarding the fee.
With Aston Villa away at a Swiss training camp, and Liverpool soon to be in the same country next week at their own base, the conclusion of the Barry saga looks some way off.
Liverpool have announced the signing of 17-year-old Dutch forward Vincent Lucas Weijl.
The teenager, who came through the academy at AZ Alkmaar, has signed a three-year deal and will go into the reserves squad.
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Comment 3 - 22 of 22
give a resevre play a a chance
I'm a Liverpool fan, but the fact is the club lost nearly 40 million quid last year due to the re-organization of loans and stuff by the yanks and their devalued dollar. And as I'm sure they only bought the club to make money, I don't think Rafa is going to have alot to spend, so a proven premier league goal scorer like Robbie Keane doesn't seem a bad idea. I like the look of David Villa, but he may be a bit light weight for the premiership, here's your scenario, freezing january night match away to bolton pissing down with rain, Torres needs a hand up front, who would you rather have!
Not many of our matches are played when it's nice and warm and sunny!
Liverpool?? Come to HK and buy some great players
In HK , 10m you can buy the whole league lar
Rafa will NEVER will the league...
Liverpool why buy Robbie Keane and ruled out DAVID VILLA
Liverpool are adding good players to their squad, that can bring them forward. But they don't understand that it's important to buy big names because thats the only way you can compete with Chelsea and Man U. To me it looks like Liverpool are aiming to hold on to either 3rd or 4 place this year and not going for 1st or 2nd .
Too be honest i think that the standings of the EPL this year will be;
1.Chelsea : because new/ good coach and added some very good players. ( deco and Bosingwa )
2. Manchester United: Still very good, it will be close, but if Ronaldo leaves they will be lacking goals and currently they have no replacments. (nani too young and Giggs too old.
3. Either Arsenal, Liverpool or Totenham. Arsenal wont win the title becaus they are loosing most of their good players ( Hleb, flamini and soon Adebayor). Liverpool because they simply arent good enough, no good players added. Totenham because they are really good adding some very good players.
He must have his own plan...If the plan of restricting foreign players in the league goes through...then team like Chelsea and Arsenal will be F**K...Good luck to them...YNWA
liverpool sucks
Hay chelsea boy...Remember buying sidwell?
HaHa Alex F, spot on mate, don't know who you support but I'm a Chelsea fan, and that comment's the best i've read all day, Keane and Barry big names and the Scousers wanna go for the title? Benitez don't have a clue about how to win Premier League
As a season ticket holder i would look forward to watching keane play...He has a great scoring record and causes defenses trouble all the time...And don't forget he will get a lot more chances to hit the back of the net playing for the reds than ever before in his career......Barry is a different matter! 18 mil for an average player is crazy! Average players should cost average money but when you lay all your cards on the table then villa are going to take the p*** out of you...Tell them where to shove the deal and keep alonso.....
Test
well when Barry and Keane fall into "Big Name signings " then i think you are in trouble
i think barry should come to liverpool o'Neill is being very fussy over him and he should compleate his move soon.
villa would be a good singing but not very likley =[
i would love to see keane in a liverpool shirt =]
call urself a liverpool supporter rdcrdthedvrs =@
To: rdcrdthedvrs
You nothing about football and Liverpool FC!
Sad days at Anfield when the name 'Robbie Keane' falls under the term 'Big name striker'...... I wonder how far clear of 3rd and 5th we're gonna finish this season?
we heard you the first time! @#$%!!!!
i think Barry is not worth more than £10 million too....as for buying a stricker, villa will be a good pair for torres...mike, lagos
i think Barry is not worth more that £10 million too....as for buying a stricker, villa will be a good pair for torres...mike, lagos
i think Barry is not more that £10 million too....as for buying a stricker, villa will be a good pair for torres...mike, lagos
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