Manchester City are reportedly preparing an audacious summer raid on Liverpool for Steven Gerrard to boost their Premier League title ambitions for next season (City 6/1 Premier League Outright 2010/2011).
City boss Roberto Mancini has been linked to a myriad of players already this summer and looks set to be handed a blank cheque book to ensure the Eastlands outfit do not miss out on at least a top-four Champions League place next term. And reports suggest that Gerrard could be his top target with a big-money offer and fellow midfielder Steven Ireland set to be included as part of a deal to take the England skipper the short journey across the North-West.
The main problem for City is that new Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho is also thought to be plotting a move to take Gerrard to the Spanish Primera Liga having just missed out on his signature when in charge at Chelsea.
Mourinho, who won an historic treble with Italian giants Inter Milan last season, appears to see Gerrard as the missing link at the Bernabeu as he looks to lead them to domestic and European success in his first campaign at the helm.
Therefore a scramble looks like ensuing as soon as Gerrard’s involvement in England’s bid for World Cup glory (England 8/1 Outright Winner) in South Africa comes to an end.
It is not known if Liverpool would cash in on Gerrard or if the player will express a desire to quit Anfield following a disappointing season in which they missed out on Champions League football and then Rafael Benitez’s subsequent departure.
The Reds are still searching for a replacement for Benitez and Fulham boss Roy Hodgson was one of the favourites to take the job. However Cottagers owner Mohamed Al Fayed remains confident he will stay put following a successful past season at Craven Cottage.
He said: “I don’t think he’ll leave me.
“I’m sure he’ll have lots of approaches from other clubs, but I give him anything he wants to reach results and we have a very good relationship.”
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