Andrea Pirlo (AC Milan)

Liverpool swoop for World Cup winning free transfer coup

AC Milan have decided to hold back on contract negotiations with leading star Andrea Pirlo until April, and as a result the Rossoneri now risk losing him on a free transfer when his current deal runs out this summer.

A number of leading European clubs have been alerted by the questionable decision that means Pirlo is free to talk to and sign a pre-contract agreement with another club.

The Gazzetta dello Sport in Italy claims that Inter Milan, Juventus, Barcelona and Real Madrid are all coveting the World Cup winning playmaker as well as English interest coming from Liverpool.

Since a change of ownership at Anfield, new Liverpool owners New England Sports Ventures (NESV) have outlined their plans to win the Barclays Premier League within two seasons but are also looking to build a squad that will benefit the long-term future of the club.

Liverpool director of football strategy Damien Comolli has been tasked with bringing Europe’s brightest young stars to Merseyside and as a result the Reds have been linked with a host of up-and-coming players from around the world.

At 31, Pirlo is seen as a surprise target, but the fact that he could be available on a free transfer would give Anfield boss Kenny Dalglish the chance to bring in an experienced European heavyweight to help ease the younger generation into the limelight.

Liverpool are known to be keen to add more inventive minds to their midfield ranks, which was demonstrated in their ill-fated chase for Blackpool captain Charlie Adam in the January window.

The only potential stumbling block is the widespread interest from other clubs but with Liverpool’s European pedigree they should be able to tempt the Italian into a move to the Barclays Premier League.

The excessive wage that Pirlo commands, thought to be in the region of £4million per year may also rule out lesser clubs. But with the money saved on a transfer fee, a move to Liverpool could be very much on the cards.


http://www.givemefootball.com/premier-league/liverpool-swoop-for-world-cup-winning-free-transfe

Good player but I would prefer to spend cash on a younger player with potential who could be here long term.

Would love to see pirlo here, i think he'd do a job

Here's a case of player who was very average in one position, and then went on to become one of the world's best when moved to a new one. He started as an attacking midfielder, but only shone as a defensive midfielder, a deep lying playmaker. Makes me wonder how many players could have had a better career if they were employed in different positions.

In theory he would be like a real replacement for Xabi Alonso, given his creativity and range of passing, but I'm not sure if he still has it, and like most complained about Charlie Adam, I can't see him offering much in defensive terms, at Milan he has Gattuso alongside him.

Think it's just paper talk, to be honest. Can't see us going for him even on a free, FSG don't want to pay high wages for aging players.

If were gonna get someone on Bosman transfer it should be Mexes, Taiwo and Marveaux, Pirlo is too old and I don't think he would be an ideal addition for a team playing a league as physical as EPL...

EDIT: There are few more players out of contract in the summer worth mentioning: Ziegler, Delgado, Altintop, Trochowski, Wendt, Rakitić.

Paper talk, 100%. Pirlo is a class passer in the Xabi Alonso mould, but is older than Xabi and is tailor-made for the Italian game, where he has time on the ball. I doubt that NESV would take a gander at him.

Only 31? Thought he was a lot older.

Anyway on a free get him in to the squad would do no harm. Gary Mac mark 2

I Like Pirlo, extremely similar to Alonso. Not sure if he would suit the Premiership. He is on a free contract so he will be expecting massive wages, don't think that will fit into NESV policy big wages for a 31 year old. Can't see this happening

Regardless of money, age or whatever in the last two seasons he hasn't really shown his class consistently and he's been injured a little bit.

Just with that i'd stay away.

Jesus hes only 31?

Thought he was in the retirement home me

Would be a quality addition!!if hes free, whats to lose.

Would be a quality addition!!if hes free, whats to lose.

Millions in wages? Should be after players who are entering there prime, not older players who are looking for 1 last pay day.

Millions in wages? Should be after players who are entering there prime, not older players who are looking for 1 last pay day.

If you read the article they are suggesting we bring him in as a squad player who can help the young lads on the training pitch and fill in for injuries/tired players in the midfield. To be honest I love to see him come in and hopefully some of his gifts will further progress Lucas. 4m for a brilliant mentor for the future of our midfield and give our lads a rest while we are running away with the title next year ...
I would pay the money!

I like Andrea Pirlo a lot. Probably one of the best deep-lying midfielders around similar to Xavi of Barcelona as he rarely misplaces a pass and the ball seems to stick to his feet in the centre circle.

For free, I'd take him and play him in games against teams who park the bus, i.e. won't expose him when on the attack as he is a little slow. Have him hover around the halfway line against teams like Wigan playing in killer balls to Luis Suarez and the alike plus he'd be excellent in Europe. He'd also be a great mentor to Lucas I reckon improving the distribution part of his game.

He's definitely still got it. He's never had pace so he hasn't lost that. I think he'd be a great signing - even if we pay £4m on wages.

Nah, don't think so.

By the end of the season, he'll be 32.

too old...way too old

By the end of the season, he'll be 32.

too old...way too old

Funny cause Gerrard will be 31 at the end of this season but no one would say he is too old now would they? 

Funny cause Gerrard will be 31 at the end of this season but no one would say he is too old now would they? 

No but then we're not discussing Gerrard as a possible transfer mate.

Pirlo as with most older Italian players needs to stay in Italy where age doesn't seem to be an issue due to how slow the game is.

It's a big, fat no from me.

Funny cause Gerrard will be 31 at the end of this season but no one would say he is too old now would they?  

Pirlo has been having injury issues this season. He just got back from an injury and now has another injury. So let's sign a 32 year old injury prone player, give him a big signing on fee and huge wages, why don't we.

Pirlo has been having injury issues this season. He just got back from an injury and now has another injury. So let's sign a 32 year old injury prone player, give him a big signing on fee and huge wages, why don't we.

Quiet handsome man, us footy nerds are talking

Pirlo has been having injury issues this season. He just got back from an injury and now has another injury. So let's sign a 32 year old injury prone player, give him a big signing on fee and huge wages, why don't we.

Dex I think people are missing out on my point here. Obviously if the price is to high then I am not interested. I was just suggesting that as a teacher and a squad player this could be a signing worth looking at. In the NFL team's pay older players to come in and mentor younger players (usually quarterbacks) yet they never play a game unless injuries occur. If the price is right and he thinks he can come in play 10-15 games for the season not including subs etc, be effective, and help further Lucas' progression as a player, I don't see why its such a bad idea.

I am a little disappointed in everyone's negativity. Rather than just looking at everything on a yes-no basis, try and see why we are being linked with him to begin with. Isn't that the whole reason we are on these forums? To discuss and debate things?

Dex I think people are missing out on my point here. Obviously if the price is to high then I am not interested. I was just suggesting that as a teacher and a squad player this could be a signing worth looking at. In the NFL team's pay older players to come in and mentor younger players (usually quarterbacks) yet they never play a game unless injuries occur. If the price is right and he thinks he can come in play 10-15 games for the season not including subs etc, be effective, and help further Lucas' progression as a player, I don't see why its such a bad idea.

I am a little disappointed in everyone's negativity. Rather than just looking at everything on a yes-no basis, try and see why we are being linked with him to begin with. Isn't that the whole reason we are on these forums? To discuss and debate things?

I didn't miss your point, I just think 4 million a year + signing on fee is too much for a squad player who plays that little games. And he'll probably want a contract for several years aswell. Think we should learn from the Cole transfer that free players aren't all that free, there's enough financial risk involved. Especially with these new UEFA rules, we need to keep wages low. Besides that, I really don't feel a 32 year old Italian player like him would be that committed to teaching Liverpool players without any prior affiliation to our club. I'd be surprised if he'd event want to, I'm sure he just wants to play as much as he can. Add to that his recent injury issues, he might not even be with the squad that much. All seems alot of risk just to help Lucas progress. Not that I think he'd be teaching Lucas, think it would be for Shelvey and Suso, but even then..

I agree his wages would be insane, and I wouldn't want him on anything more than a 2 year contract. The injuries are also a concern but that could be used to drive down the price.

Also thank you for explaining yourself. I was getting frustrated people posting 3 word responses. 

Dex I think people are missing out on my point here. Obviously if the price is to high then I am not interested. I was just suggesting that as a teacher and a squad player this could be a signing worth looking at. In the NFL team's pay older players to come in and mentor younger players (usually quarterbacks) yet they never play a game unless injuries occur. If the price is right and he thinks he can come in play 10-15 games for the season not including subs etc, be effective, and help further Lucas' progression as a player, I don't see why its such a bad idea.

I don't think that system works as well in el futbol. They don't have reserves over there, where players can get game time against pretty quality opposition. As a quarterback, for example, you get better by watching and learning, whereas in el futbol, it's pretty much universally agreed that everyone gets better with more playing time, not watching. Wouldn't want another older player blocking our young Center Mids from developing.

If you read the article they are suggesting we bring him in as a squad player who can help the young lads on the training pitch and fill in for injuries/tired players in the midfield. To be honest I love to see him come in and hopefully some of his gifts will further progress Lucas. 4m for a brilliant mentor for the future of our midfield and give our lads a rest while we are running away with the title next year ...
I would pay the money!

So you would pay millions for a squad player?

Most squad players are worth millions.

So you would pay millions for a squad player?

Man Utd: Giggs 4m a year.
Arsenal: Arshavin 4.8m a year.
Chelsea: Torres 50m for xfer, 5.4m a year.

So yes most squad players costs millions.

Man Utd: Giggs 4m a year.
Arsenal: Arshavin 4.8m a year.
Chelsea: Torres 50m for xfer, 5.4m a year.

So yes most squad players costs millions.

Giggs is a legend at Man U and has served them for many years, hardly comparable to what Pirlo would be for us.
And how is Arshavin a squad player? He played 25 games in the EPL this season already, of which he started 19.
Won't go into Torres, I'm assuming you made a joke there.

It's a silly comparison in my opinion.

Forget the money, forget his age, just please look at the facts here.

He's been injured constantly and shown no sort of consistency for two seasons now. Stay away.

He's been injured constantly and shown no sort of consistency for two seasons now. Stay away.


I will second that,to old and wage demands to high.We could get a much better younger player.

^^^^

After the last few posts, people could wonder if we're discussing Pirlo or Torres!

Ouch...Harsh Ayrton 

F***ing hell, would have snapped at this 5-6 years ago, a player ive always liked.

Now? Sorry mate, too old and injury prone. Sad, because hes really someone i would have loved in red at some stage.

He was a brilliant, brilliant passer of the ball. Rivalled Xabi as one of the best in the world. As for now, coming into a new, fast, tough league especially at his age and maybe carrying an old injury of two, I think we should give this one a miss.

EDIT: just seen his age, not the oldest but will still be 32 at the end of the season, thought he was older. Still too old to move to a new league IMO.

His goal earlier in the season against Parma was something special though!

Pirlo Incredible Goal vs Parma 0-1 AC Milan [02/10/10]

Good player but i think the new owners will invest in the youth than the Golden Oldies.

shame he's too old

NO

Funny cause Gerrard will be 31 at the end of this season but no one would say he is too old now would they? 

difference is stevie is well used to the rough and tumble of premier league  pirlo wouldn"t get a gander at the ball.

NESV love buying players of his age sure