Willian (Anzhi)

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers plans £30m bid for Anzhi Makhachkala midfielder Willian

Brendan Rodgers is ready to capitalise on Anzhi Makhachkala's financial problems after renewing his interest in Willian, the Brazilian international.

Rodgers, the Liverpool manager, has targeted the midfielder for a potential £30 million move and has made an enquiry to the Russian club ahead of a possible bid before the transfer window closes.

Willian only moved to Anzhi in January from Shakhtar Donetsk but he has been put up for sale, together with all of his team-mates, due to a major financial restructuring that has been introduced to drastically cut costs.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Villas-Boas has been a long-term admirer of the playmaker and will also consider making an offer, while Rodgers has turned his attentions to Willian as he attempts to make one significant signing this summer.

Liverpool have experienced frustration in their bids to sign Armenia international Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who joined Borussia Dortmund, and Atletico Madrid forward Diego Costa over the last two months but Willian has emerged as a genuine target for the Merseyside club.

Rodgers has spent around £24 million this summer but has been assured of further funds to make one marquee signing, regardless of whether Luis Suarez does depart Anfield, with the £5 million sale of Stewart Downing to West Ham United only serving to enhance his spending power.

Downing completed his move to London on Tuesday and has agreed a four-year contract, linking up with former Liverpool team-mates Andy Carroll and Joe Cole.

He said: "It's a great opportunity for me being here, it's a great club and I'm really excited to get going.

"I'm ready and I'm fit for the first game against Cardiff City (on Saturday). I've played a decent few games for Liverpool in pre-season, so there will be no problems on that front."

The Telegraph

And also a few tweets about the situation:

Alexey Yaroshevsky (@YaroLFC)

I dont like to repeat myself, but in light of all the Willian hysteria i have to do it - there's NO guarantee he'll leave Anzhi this year

Which largely rests on the shoulders of Eto'o and Traore moves.  If they go, he stays. So dont get your hopes up. Yet

IF Willian goes, then that wont be for 35m as some are thinking. Their owner lost half-a-billion euro in 2 days. why would he be greedy?

that is after investing quarter-of-a-billion in just 2 years. Do you think this "fire-sale" is just a rich man's play? Nope, he's in trouble

Tony Barrett (@TonyBarretTimes)

Liverpool are interested in Willian (who is keen to move to the Prem League). Whether they get him is another matter but they do want him.

Willan is a bit like Ronaldinho used to be.

Sounds exciting. I have doubts whether we'll put up the money but he is someone will be really improve us.

Although if we fail to get him, lack of money can't be an excuse after the amount we've sold so far this summer.

He might want Champions League and huge wages which might be a problem too.

I guess he's played with Lucas at some stage, for Brazil I mean.  If he has then come on Lucas, you know what you need to do.  Pick the fu**ing phone up.

Isn't he on something ridiculous like £120,000 a week at Anzhi? Is he really going to leave that sort of money? Would love to think so but doubt it. Don't see the club making him our second or third highest player.

Diego, what's your opinion on him?

Would love this to happen but I'm not going to get carried away, if I do then no doubt our hopes will be dashed and he will be pictured at another Premiership team.

Hope if we do sign him though that it doesn't then trigger the sale of Suarez!

Isn't he on something ridiculous like £120,000 a week at Anzhi? Is he really going to leave that sort of money? Would love to think so but doubt it. Don't see the club making him our second or third highest player.

I thought it was Euro's.
I'm sure I read that somewhere, maybe even on here.

If that's the case, it makes things a bit different.

Wow, this would be an excellent signing. He'd slot in on the left wing.

Not optimistic, but...wow.

I guess he's played with Lucas at some stage, for Brazil I mean.  If he has then come on Lucas, you know what you need to do.  Pick the fu**ing phone up.

Well Brendan did have him on scouting duty... Coutinho, Willian, Lucas get it done!

Lets try not to get too carried away over this one and try and remember Eriksen... and Micky... and Costa... and Papa.

Maybe we should start a petition and send it to our John... 

Let's buy all the Brazilians 

Rodgers...has been assured of further funds to make one marquee signing, regardless of whether Luis Suarez does depart Anfield

Maybe this can calm the hysteria in here for a few days?

Maybe this can calm the hysteria in here for a few days?

Never going to happen, nice sentiment though.

Lets try not to get too carried away over this one and try and remember Eriksen... and Micky... and Costa... and Papa.

Exactly.

Please o god please!! Id take Diouf at this stage

Please o god please!! Id take Diouf at this stage

El Hadji? It's not that bad, is it?

Two words


Scott Sinclair

Two words


Scott Sinclair

Im walking out if we get Scott Sinclair. Might take up Bowls

Im walking out if we get Scott Sinclair. Might take up Bowls

you may want to take up a few lessons then.

Im walking out if we get Scott Sinclair. Might take up Bowls

Ill join you.

Yes to this please.

Diego, what's your opinion on him?

I'll be very honest, I wasn't his biggest fan when he was at Corinthians, but you have to consider he was very young back then and played for an awful team (they got relegated in the same year he was sold to Shakthar). He always showed promised and good dribbling skills, but back then (around 2007) I thought his end product left much to be desired - in one particular game against my team, Flamengo, I remember him doing a lot of dribbling on the wings and crossing non-stop to the box without much effect. As I said though, it would be unfair to judge him based on that only. He didn't even play for Corinthians for that long before being sold, actually.

Since he left the country I can't say I've seen much of him, but he seems to have progressed greatly. Everybody who watches him on a regular basis that I know of seem to think he's worth the money. And he looked great for Shakthar in the Champions League not long ago. Should be a great signing if it happened. I know he would love some EPL exposure in a World Cup year.