James McCarthy (Wigan)

Chelsea and Liverpool told to cough up £20m for Wigan midfielder James McCarthy

Wigan are set to stun Chelsea and Liverpool by asking around £20million for 20-year old James McCarthy, whom they signed from Hamilton two years ago for £1.2m.

The Scotland-born Republic of Ireland midfielder is a top summer target for both clubs after being watched repeatedly this season.

Should Wigan be relegated on Sunday, manager Roberto Martinez accepts that both may come in for McCarthy.

From the Daily Mail

No quotes and not much information but I just thought I'd post it.

If that's true (and that's a huge IF) who still wants him?

Good player but F**k off if they want £20m for the lad.

Hope they go down though so we can get N'Zogbia and McCarthy on the cheap.

Ha ha what F***ing planet are english clubs living on

It won't be even close to £20m if they go down. James and his agent will force the issue.

I have watched him a lot since I first heard his name mentioned years ago. He had a trial at Anfield and they offered him a contract but he felt he would progress better elsewhere. He is, in no doubt, a quality player but definitely not a £20m player.

I have watched him a lot since I first heard his name mentioned years ago. He had a trial at Anfield and they offered him a contract but he felt he would progress better elsewhere. He is, in no doubt, a quality player but definitely not a £20m player.

so how much is he worth

Deffo wouldn't shell out 20 for him. If they go down though we could get him at a discount price which, I think, will make Dalglish and Comolli jump at him.

20 million my arse. Go get relegated you cu*ts. 6 max

LMAO

Dalglish draws up three-man midfielder shortlist

Published 23:31 21/05/11

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish is targeting three players to fill his midfield for next season.

Dalglish has set his sights on Brazil international Diego, who plays for German club Wolfsburg and hot Wigan prospect James McCarthy.

The Merseysiders also have their eye on Writers’ Footballer of the Year Scott Parker, but seem destined to lose out to Tottenham in the race to sign the West Ham vice-captain.

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Liverpool-Transfer-news-Kenny-Dalglish-wants-Wolfsburg-Diego-Wigan-James-McCarthy-and-West-Ham-Scott-Parker-article738879.html

Dalglish draws up three-man midfielder shortlist

Published 23:31 21/05/11

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish is targeting three players to fill his midfield for next season.

Dalglish has set his sights on Brazil international Diego, who plays for German club Wolfsburg and hot Wigan prospect James McCarthy.

The Merseysiders also have their eye on Writers’ Footballer of the Year Scott Parker, but seem destined to lose out to Tottenham in the race to sign the West Ham vice-captain.

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Liverpool-Transfer-news-Kenny-Dalglish-wants-Wolfsburg-Diego-Wigan-James-McCarthy-and-West-Ham-Scott-Parker-article738879.html

Blah,blah,blah...........next thing you'll be I.T.K.

The Mirror is so sh*t.

Obivously just read the other tabloids, and then put together this amazing shortlist of our transfer targets! Awesome!

Blah,blah,blah...........next thing you'll be I.T.K.

Back the F**k off mate. He's posting things with links, he isn't acting like he is coming up with these rumors.

f***in' hell

I dont mind Wigan but was hoping they get relegated for this lad

Price will increase now I'm afraid.

Gladly spend 20 million on him. I got over spending 35 on Carroll!!

would really like this lad to be anfield next season. has got a good blend of skill and work rate. would probably have to spend 14m on him in my opinion now that wigan have stayed up. maybe a touch too much but would welcome the deal.

Found out today that he has his hair cut where I'm working.  Wonder if a pair of scissors round his ears can prise any info from him 

Go on debs!

Liverpool closing in on £10m deal for McCarthy

Liverpool are closing in on making James McCarthy their first summer signing after the midfielder told Wigan Athletic he has his heart set on a move to Anfield, talkaloadofbull.com can reveal.

Kenny Dalglish is a huge admirer of the 20-year-old and the Reds are believed to be willing to spend as much as £10 million to land one of the brightest prospects in the Premier League.

Chelsea are also understood to have registered an interest in McCarthy but talkaloadofbull.com understands the player has told Wigan executives he wants them to reach an agreement with Liverpool.

Wigan had initially asked for £16m for the Republic of Ireland international but there have been indications that they are now ready to soften their stance, with manager Roberto Martinez promised he can re-invest money raised from player sales.

"It is 90 per cent done, all sides now seem to accept it is going to happen and it's a matter of everyone trying to get the best deal," a source close to the talks told talkaloadofbull.com.

McCarthy turned down a move to Merseyside before joining Wigan for £1.2m from Scottish side Hamilton Academical in 2009 as he felt regular football would be better for his development. He now believes he has proven he is ready to take the next step and leave the DW Stadium.

McCarthy is under contract until 2014 but Wigan are regarded as a selling club by other English sides following the high profile transfers of Antonio Valencia and Wilson Palacios to Manchester United and Tottenham respectively.

While the Latics' financial game plan is based on selling players for a huge project, Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group want to build a squad based on the best young British talent.

McCarthy, who was born in Glasgow and can play either centrally or wide, fits that billing and Reds director of football Damien Comolli agrees with Dalglish that he will be a star of the future.

"Liverpool have shown the most interest for quite a while and have convinced him that it will be the best move to fulfil his potential," the source added. "Being a Glaswegian from a Celtic-supporting family, working with Dalglish is obviously a big factor as well."

Anfield legend Dalglish took over from Roy Hodgson in January and is planning significant moves in the summer transfer market after signing a three-year contract last month.

Along with Comolli, the club have identified a number of targets as they look to bolster the squad by signing at least two wide men, a central midfielder, a left-back and a centre-back.

Aston Villa star Ashley Young is their No.1 target as Dalglish looks to bring in a new winger, with Sylvain Marveaux also expected to arrive from Rennes on a free transfer. The Reds have also registered an interest in £20m-rated Eden Hazard, the attacking midfielder at Lille who is a target for a number of leading European clubs.

Liverpool have shown a strong interest in Bolton centre-back Gary Cahill and Blackburn's Phil Jones, while Newcastle star Jose Enrique is their first choice left-back.

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/media-watch/liverpool-closing-in-on-10m-deal-for-mccarthy

Interesting..

If McCarthy joins, surely that means Charlie Adam won't, unless other midfielders are being sold ...

Hopefully the deal will encompass both McCarthy and N'Zogbia.
Both very talented and promising players.

It has to be either McCarthy or Adam, both players are a gamble. I've taken a particular interest in McCarthys career being Irelands best prospect in a while.

I think the lad could be a decent signing but I think he is still has a lot of work to do before he would be good enough to be a first team player at Liverpool.

 £10 million is a lot for the lad because he is more potential than anything but thats what happens when you buy from English clubs