04/24/24
July 10, 2002
Bad-boy Bowyer to join Liverpool?: This article contemplates Liverpool manager Houllier's decision to go after Leeds lout Bowyer. Meanwhile, incoming Leeds manager Terry Venables says, "He's (Bowyer's) in the last-chance saloon. If partying, drinking and dancing is your thing then play your football over the park."
It should be noted that Liverpool homeboy Robbie Fowler was eventually sold to Leeds last season after his own involvement in a late-night fracas (and other more football-related reasons), and immediately renewed his scoring prowess. While I'm no fan of Bowyer's, I hope, for Liverpool's sake, he proves to be another successful demonstration of Houllier's shrewd decision-making. At least, I hope Bowyer gets less than his 15-million-pound ask fee. ;-)
How do you think Bowyer will turn out at Liverpool?
posted by worldcup2002 to soccer at 11:33 AM - 8 comments
I doubt Bowyer will get more than 7 million pounds, if he's lucky. Liverpool is in the driving seat of this deal. Reasons: 1. He's got one year left (as salmacis pointed out) 2. Liverpool are prepared to wait 3. Venables is more than happy to see him go, for discipline reasons 4. Leeds needs the money -- they need to make up for the lost income from not qualifying for Europe, and find a way to keep Rio Ferdinand 5. Bowyer will probably do anything to go to Liverpool, to boost his England chances. He's clearly signaled his intentions by refusing to re-sign at Leeds (which is not to say he wouldn't reconsider). Prices bandied about include a starting offer of 9 million, going as low as 5 million. I think the longer Liverpool wait, the better it gets for them. Time is not on Bowyer's side.
posted by worldcup2002 at 01:26 PM on July 10, 2002
errr, its the club who sets and 'gets' the transfer fee, not the player i'm dreading the upcoming transfer shakeout at Leeds, and would prefer to see Bowyer given some time in a successful side under Venables to remind him of what he'd be leaving behind
posted by sawks at 09:38 PM on July 10, 2002
They player gets a cut as well. 10% is the number I've heard is most common.
posted by sauril at 11:43 AM on July 11, 2002
sawks: Who do you think will leave Leeds? Aside from Ferdinand, who's all hot property now, there are Viduka, Keane and Fowler. How bad of a financial jam is Leeds in that they'll risk losing these guys to get back in the black?
posted by worldcup2002 at 11:56 PM on July 11, 2002
This transfer takes one step closer: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport/hi/english/football/teams/l/liverpool/newsid_2119000/2119220.stm From LFC point of view I reckon it's good news. If we sign Duff from Blackburn we could be on this year - when you look at the squad - it's there in all departments. From LUFC point of view I'm sorry but I reckon Ridsdale has blown it. McClaren could have turned it around but I'm not too sure about Cockney-Wide-Boy El Tel. I heard the Mc Claren deal failed because he wanted to get rid of Kidd & Leeds could not afford to pay Kidd off as he's still in contract. El Tel was not so fussy about his backroom staff.
posted by no7 at 06:06 AM on July 12, 2002
Thanks, no7. Looks like it'll be 9 million pounds for Bowyer. I'm surprised they didn't wait a little longer, but I guess Liverpool was a lot more eager than I thought. Perhaps the simultaneous injuries to Murphy and Gerrard convinced Houllier he needed more than a plan B. If the Bowyer deal is done, Houllier will have a 12-man midfield pool that includes Gerrard, Murphy, Bowyer, Hamann, Riise, Smicer, Diao and Diarra. I can't wait to see what that midfield will do. Wow. Next question: Who's gonna get sold?
posted by worldcup2002 at 10:59 AM on July 12, 2002
Berger & Barmby were supposedly offered to Leeds. Venables likes Barmby & could see him as a replacement for Bowyer. Litmanen is also rumoured to be on his way and most worryingly the Didi Hamann link to Real Madrid is still doing the rounds. Less worringly Pegguy Arpexhad might be leaving his beloved Anfield!
posted by no7 at 08:49 AM on July 15, 2002
Bowyer, like Fowler, is a fantastic player. I believe he would have been in the England team in the World Cup if it hadn't been for his little *ahem* indiscretions. On the other hand, I wouldn't personally buy him. The way a player conducts himself off the pitch is not a secondary issue. Leeds' name has been dragged through the mud because of the antics of a few players. Why would Liverpool want that? In addition, Bowyer has only one year left on his contract. It's madness to pay that much for someone who will be available on a Bosman next summer.