Real Sociedad's Xabi Prieto denies Liverpool link, Reds to compete with Manchester United for FC Porto's Rolando
Xabi Prieto happy at Real Sociedad
Xabi Prieto, the 27-year-old Real Sociedad winger, revealed he was happy with the La Liga side denying rumours of a move to Liverpool. The English Premier League side have admitted interest in the Spaniard but he insisted he wished to remain with his current
club.
Prieto made his debut for Real Sociedad in 2003 after making it through the club’s youth academy. He has over 200 appearances and has scored 34 goals in his time at the club. His terrific form this season has not only helped his side to a better position
but has earned interest from many clubs.
However, the former Spain under-21 international revealed he was not interested in a move to Liverpool, he said while speaking to reporters, “There is nothing to what has been published. Liverpool are a very good team, but I've always said I'm happy here.”
Premier League and Serie A interest for Rolando
Rolando’s agent Peppino Tirri revealed that scouts from top English Premier League sides Manchester United and Liverpool had been keeping an eye on the FC Porto defender. According to Tirri, Juventus and Inter Milan very also interested in luring the player
to the Serie A.
Tirri admitted there had been heavy interest for his client from top clubs, he said while speaking to reporters, “On Wednesday, there were observers to follow him from many clubs including Inter Milan, Juventus, Manchester United and Liverpool.”
He continued, “There are possibilities he arrives in Italy, we will work from here to June but there have been approaches with Juventus and Inter. The player's rating is very high. €15 million. Even a little more.”
The defender moved to the Portuguese outfit in 2008 from Belenenses. Since then he has made 60 appearances for Porto and has managed to find the back of the net six times. The 25-year-old is expected to start a bidding war between the two English sides during
the summer.
The player is expected to cost an estimated £13.2 million, a price the Premier League outfits would not mind paying for a talented defender. However, the clubs have yet to make an official offer and Tirri claimed it was because they were busy with the remainder
of the season.
He said, “There is also Manchester United and Liverpool following the player. I think something could move towards the end of the month. Now the clubs are focused on the championship and the Champions League.”
Liverpool eye Matt Jarvis
Liverpool are in the market for Wolverhampton Wanderers winger Matt Jarvis and are willing to pay as much as £8 million for the 24-year-old. After his spirited performances for the Wolves this season, he has not only caught the eye of top clubs but also
that of England coach Fabio Capello.
He recently earned a call up and featured in the 1-1 friendly against Ghana last Tuesday. Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish is determined to land the winger in the summer transfer window and seems to have already spoken to Liverpool owner John W Henry about
the possibility of signing the England international.