Alberto Aquilani Player Thread

REDS AGREE AQUILANI DEAL

Liverpool FC today confirmed they have agreed a deal with AS Roma for the transfer of Italian international Alberto Aquilani, subject to a medical.
Liverpool concluded their discussions with Roma once the sale of Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid was finally agreed.
 
Aquilani, who recently celebrated his 25th birthday, is expected to feature heavily for Italy in next year’s World Cup finals.
 
Rafa Benitez said: "Alberto is a very good player and I'm delighted we've reached agreement with Roma for his transfer. He will travel to Merseyside later this week for a medical. Alberto has a winning mentality and great experience in both Serie A and the Champions League.
 
"He has long been recognised as a top class talent in Italy, captaining his country at both Under 19 and Under 21 levels before establishing himself in the senior national side."

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N165312090805-1649.htm

Thoughts?

Figured I'd turn this into a player thread.

He still however, has a medical to complete.

Let's hope for the best.

He can be a main player in our title winning team this year.

Hopefully his injuries are brought to an end here. They are mainly recurrences of little niggling injuries, so if we can prevent him from getting it once, he should remain injury free.
From what i've seen, he is a good passer, like Xabi, and a playmaker who can play just off the front or deeper (like Xabi). A more attacking stance on Alonso. Hoping for the best.

Also, does this write off our chances of signing Villa?

So Rafa had this ready then. How the guy can convince Roma that we wouldn't want him if the Xabi deal fell through I don't know. I hope Rafa is our manager for life.

I didn't see him hit the post or crossbar once in his youtube video.

Besides he wants to be here, unlike Xabi or even Masch, to an extent. Who should both be cast off to Newcastle for their sacrilege.

I'm very exited I'v gotta be onest, I'm glad we got a replacement straight away. Gives us something to look forward to rather than looking back on Xabi.

The Daily Mail are saying the deal is worth £17m.  It'll be interesting to see how much the Echo quote, which will probably be closer to how much we have really paid.

I said to my mate he'll be an ideal replacement and it should be done by the end of next week but it looks like it will be completed this week.
I'm over the moon about this especially as it was done so quickly. It was vital we get him in asap to work with the rest of the squad.

I am not worried about his injury problems, this Op he just had will more than likely sort the ankle out.

My son has followed his career and is optimistic that we have got ourselves a winner. The injury history is a concern but lets see how it pans out.

Hope he become good as Alonso. Or better.

20 million is a lot, hope he comes good

Is he a holding midfielder or more of an attacking type of midfielder?

They're saying £20 mill pounds in different sources. I'm just hoping it's actually like £16 mill and then his £4 mill wages equalling 20 cuz I don't want us to have payed that much for him.

The Daily Mail are saying the deal is worth £17m.  It'll be interesting to see how much the Echo quote, which will probably be closer to how much we have really paid.

Via Twitter the Echo quoted £20m.

Looks like this was a done deal a few weeks ago. Anyway lets hope he stays injury free.

Is he a holding midfielder or more of an attacking type of midfielder?

More of an attacking player

Benvenuti Alberto
(Welcome Alberto)

Best wishes for you and your family in liverpool!
I hope, you will be happy here.

Main doubts about the lad are injury based not football so with the help of the staff at Anfield that can be worked on. Might have ourselves a right good player here. And well in Rafa for the quickness in doing the deal

Im pretty impressed by benitez to be honest acting so swiftly, I don’t think he will have cost more than 15mil so we should still have a good amount of cash to spend on a few squad players before the season starts aswell

Well that didn't take long

Is he a holding midfielder or more of an attacking type of midfielder?

Well he plays alongside Di Rossi for both club and country so it looks like he is a controlling Midfielder like Xabi as Di Rossi would be more like Masch

Can drop back, too though.

I wouldnt welcome him yet, he has a medical.