The Scottish champions have accepted a bid of around £12 million from Southampton for the Kenyan, who has also attracted strong interest from a host of Premier League clubs

By Duncan Castles

Liverpool, Everton and Cardiff City have joined Southampton in the race for Celtic midfielder Victor Wanyama.

The Scottish champions have accepted a bid of around £12 million from Southampton for Wanyama, who excelled in last season’s run to the Champions League knock-out stage.

The sum represents a huge profit on the £900,000 Celtic paid to acquire Wanyama from Belgium side Germinal Beerschot in July 2011, and is understood to exceed their initial asking price of £10m.

The first Kenyan to play professionally in the UK, Wanyama has a long-standing ambition to become his nation’s first Premier League footballer. His preference, however, is to be allowed a choice over his next club.

Prepared to invest aggressively in their first top-tier campaign in over 50 years, Cardiff are willing to pay the 21-year-old a higher salary than Southampton, but believe that Celtic have over-priced his transfer fee. The Kenyan’s contract at Parkhead expires in 2015 and he has declined offers to extend it.

Everton regard Wanyama as a natural central midfield successor to Marouane Fellaini, who they expect to leave Goodison Park this summer. However, Roberto Martinez’s side are not in a position to lodge an offer until Arsenal have completed their deal to sign Fellaini after activating the Belgium international’s £22m release clause earlier in June.

Liverpool may also be restrained by actions elsewhere in the market as Brendan Rodgers prioritises a radical rebuild of his defence and forward line. With his total transfer budget dependent on sales, Rodgers’ ability to move for Wanyama is likely to hinge on adding the exit of the likes of Jordan Henderson to the recent sale of Andy Carroll to West Ham for an initial £15.5m.

While all four of England’s Champions League clubs have scouted Wanyama extensively, there remains a concern over whether he is ready to move directly to a team challenging for the title. Jose Mourinho has been impressed with the African’s progress at Celtic, but would prefer to bring a more experienced holding midfielder into what will be a key role in his new Chelsea side.

On holiday in Kenya following a recent World Cup qualifying tie, Wanyama said he had yet to discuss Southampton’s offer to Celtic with his agent.

The Anfield outfit have completed the signing of the talented Spanish youngster, who impressed Reds boss Brendan Rodgers during a season-long loan with Barcelona B

Liverpool have confirmed the signing of Luis Alberto from Sevilla, subject to international clearance.The Spanish forward, who spent last season on loan at Barcelona B in the Segunda Division, has signed a “long-term” contract after completing a medical at the club’s Melwood training complex.

Alberto becomes the club’s third signing of the summer after Kolo Toure arrived from Manchester City on a free transfer and Iago Aspas joined from Celta Vigo.

Liverpool lined up Alberto as part of a €50 million summer splurge, with Simon Mignolet expected to sign next week and a deal for Shakhtar Donetsk’s Henrikh Mkhitaryan also in the pipeline.

Upon joining the club, Alberto told the Liverpool website: “I feel very excited, I’ve never felt so excited before but I’m very happy. I think I am the happiest man on earth.

“I have come here to enjoy moments with the supporters – and I know the supporters will help me to never walk alone.

“I hope that between us all we can make this club one of the greatest in the world, once again.”

Manager Brendan Rodgers was equally as excited about securing another talented youngster and told the club website: “We are all delighted that Luis has decided to join Liverpool.

“He has the correct footballing profile and mentality to be a Liverpool player.

“I look forward to working with him to develop his talent and he joins a group of young exciting players at our club.”

Managing Director Ian Ayre added: “Luis was top of the list in terms of his ability and skills in the position he plays in.

“He’s a very exciting player and I know Brendan is very excited about it. So hopefully our fans can be too.”

Alberto, who made just seven appearances in La Liga, racked up an impressive 11 goals and 17 assists during his season-long stay with Barcelona B, where he made 38 appearances.

The centre-back’s representative does not believe the Anfield outfit are intent on selling the Slovakian, and quashed rumours of a reunion with Partenopei boss Rafa Benitez

The agent of Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel has played down the likelihood of a transfer away from Anfield this summer, and believes suitors Napoli are unable to afford him.
The Slovakia international has been heavily linked with a move away from Merseyside after being dropped from Brendan Rodgers’ first team last season, making just three league starts in 2013.

But the 28-year-old centre-back looks set to stay at Liverpool with Napoli, now led by former Reds boss Rafa Benitez, priced out of a move according to Skrtel’s representative Karol Csonto.

“Martin to move away from Liverpool? I specifically say that Skrtel has never said he wants to go away, then it depends on the Liverpool market because everything could change,” he told Tuttomercatoweb.

“It’s true that the last two seasons were difficult but in football it can happen.

“Napoli? I think they haven’t the financial possibilities to take him. Liverpool has not decided a price because they don’t intend to sell the player. Anyway, I don’t think that Napoli can afford his wage.”

Since joining Liverpool in 2008, Skrtel has made 206 appearances in all competitions for the Merseyside club, scoring nine times.