Roma closing in on River Plate wonderkid; Wenger admits interest in Karim Benzema

Roma closing in on River Plate wonderkid

Roma have emerged as favourites to sign River Plate whiz kid Erik Lamela, according to Il Corriere dello Sport.

The 19-year-old is currently tracked by a host of big European clubs, but the latest reports suggest he is very close to signing for Roma.

The player’s father Jose admits Roma sporting director Walter Sabatini has watched the youngster play against San Lorenzo.

“He saw him on Sunday in the River Plate-San Lorenzo game,” Jose Lamela told Il Corriere dello Sport.

“I think that Erik is ready to have an experience in Italy even if he is still very young. To play for a club like Roma would be important for him.

“I think a transfer to Italy is possible, but at the moment my boy is with the Argentina squad and is thinking about nothing else.”

River are thought to be holding out for €12 million, which looks like a small price to pay for such an amazing prospect, but Roma could face stiff competition from Milan, Napoli and Lazio, among others.

The player has already proved his worth in Argentine championship and he looks ready to make the next step.

Wenger admits interest in Karim Benzema

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has admitted he is looking to sign Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema.

The French manager is desperate to bring some big name signings after yet another trophy-less season and it looks as though he will be allocated significant funds for transfer this summer.

The Gunners are eager to sign a true goalscorer this summer and Wenger believes Karim Benzema would be the perfect choice.

“Signing him does not seem impossible. He’s a player that I like,” Wenger told The Sun.

“He’s intelligent in his movement, he is capable of combining well with others and making a difference, and of doing individual moves as well.

“So, for me, he’s a player who’s at the top level in the world.”

Benzema scored 26 goals in 48 game for Real this season, but he is still not considered a first team regular at the Bernabeu.

The Frenchman doesn’t have the best of relationships with boss Jose Mourinho and he could be tempted if an offer from Arsenal were to arrive.

On the other hand, Arsenal face a real battle to hold on to their star players, with Samir Nasri and Gael Clichy close to leaving the Emirates this summer.

Steven Gerrard hoping Liverpool sign top players next summer

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is hoping the club will continue its uptrend in fortunes by signing several quality players in the summer.

The Reds have shown a massive improvement under Kenny Dalglish and the talismanic midfielder hopes few more big name signings will help continue the trend.

“I am delighted with the way we have been playing, generally,” Gerrard was quoted as saying.

“It makes me feel very enthusiastic about next season. If we can maintain the form we’ve had recently, get our injured players back fit and playing, and bring a few top quality signings through the door, you never know what might happen.

“With the belief we have running through the squad, and with the outstanding players we already have, we know we can approach every game with a great chance of coming out on top.”

“Kenny has given all the lads in the squad the freedom to go out on the pitch and express themselves, in both training and matches, and that’s important,” he explained.

“When you are playing good football, it gives you confidence to have the bottle to press high up and win the ball back, and that has been the key for us. The danger of course, is becoming complacent.

“We can’t believe we are suddenly fantastic, because even though we have improved, there is an awful lot of work ahead if we are to genuinely mix it with the teams at the top. But with top quality signings, who knows what we can do.”

[Source: The Mirror]

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