David Wheater (Middlesbrough)

Liverpool are ready to raid the Riverside for David Wheater this summer if Middlesbrough go down.

An field chief Rafa Benitez is looking for a long-term replacement for veteran central defender Sami Hyypia and believes that England Under-21 stopper Wheater fits the mould.

Boro boss Gareth Southgate doesn't want to sell the uncompromising Teessider but, with the club £93million in debt, relegation could force his hand.

A bid of about £10m for a player who cost nothing would certainly be hard to refuse if Middlesbrough find themselves looking at Championship football next season.

Giant Wheater, a product of Boro's famed Academy, has continued to make progress this term and has been called into Fabio Capello's England squad.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/2009/03/15/liverpool-to-move-for-middlesbrough-david-wheater-this-summer-115875-21199865/


I know there is not much, well anything really to this rumor but it is a rumor none the less that needs to be discussed 

I like Wheater and think with the right coaching he could become a very good defender but it is the last thing we need and 10m is a bit steep.

Definatley not for 10million. Not a bad player and could prove to be good cover but not at that price.

Always liked David Wheater, I've got him in my Fantasy Footie team and he always comes up with the points for me 

Not worth 10 mill though.

Half the price.

Wheater is a good defender, but not a 10 million pound defender.

 I agree with the general concensus,no way is he worth 10 million,also we have priorities in other positions that are more critical.

Also agree. Hasn't played full internationals for his country, so £10m would be well over. But there are worse players.

But he is ugly ain't he?

good, was better last season, but definitely not woth 10 mil. no way!

Another defender?

IOm is well over the odds and the need for stronger wide influence is more of a priority,having said that the manager is still being forced watch the purse strings.

Where's Hyypia going?

Hasn't he played enough games, at his usual standards, to warrant another year? At this rate he can play the same way till he's 40.

Use the money to give Agger a new contract.

Where's Hyypia going?

Hasn't he played enough games, at his usual standards, to warrant another year? At this rate he can play the same way till he's 40.

Use the money to give Agger a new contract.

My thoughts exactly, if we need another Defender offer Slur Alex a couple of Mill for Vidic he mignt snap our hand off after Saturdays performance 

Daniel Agger.

I wouldn't get Wheater unless Agger got flogged off.

And if they've got any sense they'll offer Agger the contract he deserves as he's a superior defender.

cant see 10 million we have everything in our favour to beat down the price seeing there prospects and debt load.

Surely Agger won't be let go only to be replaced by Wheater? We need to do what it takes to keep Daniel and buy a feckin right-winger (or two) FFS.

Well he is English so if we want to buy him we would have to come up with those 10mn.I dont think Rafa would buy him,if anything we would see another gem in the mould of Agger or Skrtel.I personally would like to see San Jose,Hobbs or Kelly being given a chnace.These guys deserve it.

Go for him Rafa I like to see english talent at our club and wheater is certainly that.

For 10 million when we have a still brilliant Hyypia and a willing and talented Agger??!!

I like Wheater, always did, but its frustrating to keep reading rumours about defenders (Albiol, Wheater...) instead of some wide men, its typical Rafa. And he is definatly not worth 10 million, not yet at least.

I like Wheater, always did, but its frustrating to keep reading rumours about defenders (Albiol, Wheater...) instead of some wide men, its typical Rafa. And he is definatly not worth 10 million, not yet at least.

I quote you ' reading rumors'.

F***ing hate him.

I don't know why but I just hate him(maybe for his f*cking face).

I think Wheater is a good player 10 million maybe not but had he played for a decent team for the last few years he maybe would be worth 10 million.

No, no and no.

There's something about him that I don't like.

   10 million?  We wouldn't even get that much for Agger if he goes right now. That alone means this rumor is utter sh*te. 

They dont say Rafa is going to bid 10 or even thinking it, they just say it should be enough. Farfetched ofcourse.

6 million should do it and i'd love him here, he's a no nonsense defender with an aerial prescense, much like Sami who we will be losing. I hope it happens, could go for Downing too...

Agger is a better defender than Wheater, to be honest he has looked very cumbersome at times this season, 10 million is way over the odds for him, a lot of money to spend on a 4th choice centre half because he would be behind, Agger, Skerte and Carragher.

10 mil. is definitely no-no for him. i think carra, skrtel and sami are good enough even if agger decides to leave.(which is almost for sure)

we need another CB if agger leaves, carra's no spring chicken n sammi's only maybe got one or two seasons left in him n even then only making 20 or so appearences a season. Also if we dont pick up some fullbacks in the summer then we're gonna need carra to cover there.

And wheater isnt any where near liverpool stanard

why do you want to spend 10mil on a player whose club currently fighting to stay alive in PL. Even agger far more better than him!

He is not better than Agger.

He is not worth 10 million.

He is not going to play alot.

He is not a good player.

He is not better than Agger.

He is not worth 10 million.

He is not going to play alot.

He is not a good player.

I really can't see what the fuss is with Wheater.  He's English but isn't gonna get near the England team unless several others are injured (the Manc and Chav are first choice, then it's the bitter shytes, then Woodgate) so how is he worth their asking price?

I'd take Upson before Wheater - always rated him.

I'd take Upson before Wheater - always rated him.

So would I Upson is a much better player.

Liverpool Ponder Swoop For Middlesbrough's David Wheater

It may take a bid in the region of £9 million to land the England under-21 international...

27 May 2009 12:26:49

According to a report in the British broadsheet newspaper The Daily Telegraph, Liverpool are weighing up making an offer for Middlesbrough's David Wheater during the close-season.

The highly-rated centre-back recently announced that he would be happy to stay with Boro despite the club suffering relegation from the Premier League.

However, it is thought that the Teesside outfit may be forced to sell the England Under-21 international to balance the books, especially if they are unable to cash-in on Stewart Downing who is injured.

Apparently, Reds manager Rafa Benitez tried to sign the 6ft 5in defender last summer and also had an enquiry turned away during the January transfer window.

It is claimed that Birmingham City are also tracking Wheater and were recently quoted £9 million for acquiring his services, a fee which Benitez may be reluctant to meet due to a limited transfer kitty at Anfield.

More crap!!Seriously the media could have done better,why on earth would Rafa want to spend £9 million on a central defender!!?

Didn't we got Agger for half the price of supposedly we are 'offering' Wheater right now?

Didn't we got Agger for half the price of supposedly we are 'offering' Wheater right now?

Pretty Sure Skrtel was cheaper than that aswell.

Wheater has had a poor season, we should stay well clear from this lad, after looking okay last season he has gone backwards this season, he was part of an awful defence this season.

Steven Taylor would be a better buy imo.

Wheater is a good defender but not good enough for our club, even for fourth choice.

He isn't the worst in the air, throws a good tackle in and pops up with the odd goal. Unfortunately those strengths won't ever be good enough to break into our first team and 9 or 10 million is far too much for somebody who'd be lucky to make the bench.

I dont see the logic of signing him to be 4th choice.... not saying he is good enough to be ahead of the other 3 but 8 or 9 mil for him is alot of cash for 4th choice plus why would he join a club who will have him as a 4th choice??

We don't need another central defender we already have Carragher,Agger and Skrtel

Since both Boro and Newcastle have both got relegated,I think Rafa will try to sign either him or Steven Taylor at a cut-price though I would much rather prefer to see either Kelly or San Jose get promoted

Rather Taylor over Wheater but Wheater would be good to have. Although Taylor is more of a Carra kind of player, muscle and no nonsense.

I'm always more than dubious about signing defenders from relegated teams - especially those who's defences leaked like f**king sieves. That might be just me tho'.  

Wheater? No thanks.

If we was to buy anyone off Newcastle or Boro i would only consider Martins or Duff no one else would really fit into our squad.

The only other club I've seen linked to this lad barring ourselves is Birmingham, I think that says it all really.

The only other club I've seen linked to this lad barring ourselves is Birmingham, I think that says it all really.

Fair point, but that could be because they're looking for a first choice defender, and we're looking for fourth choice.

Fair point, but that could be because they're looking for a first choice defender, and we're looking for fourth choice.

Why not look at Kelly or San Jose if you are looking for a fourth-choice defender.

Middlesbrough's David Wheater has pledged his future to the club, despite reported interest from Premier League sides.

The 22-year-old's tough tackling and determined attitude for his hometown club has said to have attracted the attentions of both Liverpool and Aston Villa.

However, the centre-back has committed his future to the Championship club and is fully focused on helping Boro back into the top flight.

"Time is on my side and I want another three, four or even five years before I even think about leaving," the former England Under 21 international told the Daily Mirror.

"It never crossed my mind to leave after relegation. I really do love it here.

"If the club accepted an offer, it would be different.

"But I just want to get Boro back in the Premier League."

What?

He's committed until someone comes running for him and then he's gone?

What?

He's committed until someone comes running for him and then he's gone?

According to the Mirror