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Ever Banega: Rafa Closing in on £8.5M Argentine Playmaker for Reds
According to reports in both the Spanish and Argentine press, Liverpool are set to sign Valencia’s talented young midfielder Ever Banega for a fee of £8.5m as Rafa Benitez begins his rebuilding process at Anfield. The young Argentinean has been a long-term target of Benitez but also "The Chosen One" who attempted to sign the 21-year-old on loan last summer. However, it would seem that Liverpool rather than Everton have won the race for his signature.
Last summer Everton attended a home office meeting in London to push through the necessary paperwork to seal a late transfer window move but the deal could not be agreed. The Toffees loss could be Liverpool’s gain as he could be a very exciting signing for the club and fill the role that was vacated by Xabi Alonso’s exit last summer.
The 21-year-old joined Valencia in January 2008 but after just 47 League appearances for the club (40 starts) the Spanish side are likely to offload the youngster. Valencia’s financial problems are well documented but they are set to take a loss on a player signed for £14m. Ironically, Banega has had his best season with the club after making 35 league appearances (33 starts which is a major breakthrough considering in his first season he only started seven league matches and then was loaned out to Atletico Madrid. However, despite a tough start to his time in Europe, Banega has shown enough talent to impress Rafa Benitez who is keen to bring him to Liverpool to join fellow Argentines Javier Mascherano, Maxi Rodriguez and Emiliano Insua.
The youngster has endured a difficult time since joining the Spanish giants. He was signed by Ronald Koeman who was soon sacked and then was also embroiled in a webcam scandal in Argentina similar to that of former Eastenders star Leslie Grantham. Not the best way to start your career at a new club especially one that was severely and surprisingly struggling in the league. Despite a poor 2007/08 season by their standards, Valencia did end up winning the Copa Del Rey. However, despite featuring in 5 cup matches including both legs of the semi against Barca, Banega did not feature in the final.
Last season Banega was loaned out to Atletico Madrid when he made 24 league appearances but only started 5 of those games while scoring just one goal. The player had suggested he wished to remain with the Madrid club but Atletico did not make a permanent move.
Banega told So Foot that he “wants to continue at Atletico”, but knows that lack of communications suggests the feeling is not mutual.
“I am young but not naive. If they have not spoken with me then it is bad. In any case, I will not return to Valencia, even though I still have a contract with them,” he said. However, despite his comments and Everton’s interest he did return. Now his time in Spain looks to be coming to an end with Liverpool in negotiations.
Despite struggling in Spain, the player that turns 22 in June has won 3 senior caps for his country against Guatemala, Mexico and USA. He was also part of the Argentine side that won the U20 World Cup in Canada in 2007 and the gold medal at the 2008 Olympics. He played alongside the likes of Atletico Madrid’s Sergio Aguero in both of those tournaments. He also represented his nation at the Toulon Tournament where Argentina finished 3rd. Banega is a skilful deep lying playmaker who is mobile and likes to dictate the tempo of his side which is something that Liverpool have lacked following Alonso’s sale.
The young star was born in Rosario, Santa Fe and began his career with Boca Juniors where he came through the youth ranks. He replaced Real Madrid star Fernando Gago in the Boca Midfield when the former star moved to Real Madrid and after just 28 League appearances for the club Valencia stepped in with a big money bid. His last game for the Buenos Aires club was in the World Club Championship 4-2 final defeat to AC Milan.
Banega is a central midfielder very much in the Michael Carrick mould rather than Roy Keane’s. His main attributes are his excellent passing ability, tactical discipline and ability to read the game. The Argentine is not afraid to tackle as 25 bookings and 4 red cards in 99 career League games perfectly illustrates and could turn out to be a key signing for Liverpool who are looking to bounce back from a poor season with a new-look side next season. Rafa Benitez has already declared he needs at least five or six new signings, Ever Banega looks set to be one of the first new arrivals at Anfield as the Reds rebuild.
http://community.footballpools.com/blog/2010/06/01/ever-banega-rafa-closing-in-on-85m-argentine-playmaker-for-reds/
