BRENDAN RODGERS has told Manchester City: It will take silly money to land
Daniel Agger.
The Liverpool boss is jumping for joy at seeing Luis Suarez sign a new
four-year deal.
But star centre-back Agger’s future is less certain, with City’s mega-spenders
keen.
City’s bid was £20million but Liverpool value him at £27m. They would consider
a deal which includes City winger Adam Johnson on loan.
So unless Roberto Mancini digs a lot deeper, Agger will be staying on
Merseyside.
Rodgers said: “Daniel is one of the leading centre-halves in Europe. There’s
been contact from City. But it’s nowhere near his value.
“You can only consider something like that if it is going to benefit you.
“Of course, you might lose a top player but if it benefits you going forward —
and you can make two or three steps forward because of it — you may have to
consider it.
“But we don’t want to sell him so unless someone comes in with a ridiculous
offer, there’s no way I want to lose one of my best players.
“There’s always rumour, particularly in this period. It’s just a shame the
window does not shut as the season starts.
“But Daniel and I have had a number of conversations so he knows where I am
at, he knows where the club are at and he doesn’t want to leave, which is
great. In my first conversation with him at the Euros he made that quite
clear.
“He loves the club, loves the fans, so that was music to my ears — but we’ll
see.”
After tying up Suarez, boss Rodgers hopes to complete the signing of Joe Allen
from his former club Swansea.
The Welsh midfielder is keen to join his old gaffer and has told current Swans
chief Michael Laudrup.
Real Madrid defender Nuri Sahin is another expected — but they face a battle
with Arsenal. Other targets include Gunners winger Theo Walcott and
Birmingham keeper Jack Butland.
For now, Rodgers is simply delighted to have ended doubts about Suarez’s
future.
He admitted there were worries when he first took over — but they were swiftly
KO’d the minute he met the striker.
Rodgers added: “I was having to exhaust my efforts to ensure I could present
to him the way forward, how exciting it was and what an integral part he
would play.
“You can never be 100 per cent confident until the person signs the paper.
“So it was a concern but his heart is here and in the end it was an easy
decision.
“I can only judge on what I’ve seen — and he’s been a breath of fresh air. His
best years are ahead.”
Suarez goes straight into the side for tonight’s Europa League third-round
qualifying return with FC Gomel. Liverpool are 1-0 up from last week’s first
leg.
Rodgers said: “He starts. He’s been with Uruguay at the Olympics so had his
pre-season, it just wasn’t with us.”
Why we needed Suarez to commit – Rodgers