Liverpool FC told to pay £16m for Albert Riera
ESPANYOL are set to continue their hardline stance over Albert Riera - and insist Liverpool meet his £16million release clause.
The Spanish club are aware that Rafael Benitez has money to spend after the Gareth Barry deal was blocked by the owners, who were unwilling to go to £18million for that particular player.
But with Benitez in the market for a left-sided player to bolster his squad, Riera has re-emerged as one of the possibilities he is weighing up.
Liverpool considered making an offer in June when Riera hinted he wanted to leave the La Liga club after hitting out at their supporters. But Benitez was unwilling to enter a bidding war for the 26-year-old then - valuing the player at closer to the £9million mark - and that stance hasn't changed.
If Espanyol can't be persuaded to lower their asking price he will walk away from the deal and look elsewhere, as time runs out to strengthen his wide areas before the closure of the transfer window.
"Liverpool want Riera but Liverpool are reluctant to meet Espanyol's demands," Riera's agent Magico Diaz confirmed last night. Riera recently attempted to mend his relationship with his club by pledging to give his all for them while he was on their books - but didn't go as far as to say he wouldn't consider leaving.
And earlier in the summer he said: "If Espanyol do finally receive an offer I do not want to miss the opportunity to go to Liverpool. The option to join a super-club doesn't come every day.
"I am a realistic person but this has given me something to look forward to.
"To reject the possibility of a move would be madness."
His awareness in Benitez's renewed interest could force him to re-iterate his desire to be allowed to leave without his release clause being triggered.
Riera already has previous Premier League experience, having had a spell on loan at Manchester City in the 2005-06 season, and would provide the out-and-out attacking option Benitez is seeking for the left-hand side.
Espanyol sporting director Paco Herrera, a former member of Benitez's backroom staff at Liverpool, said: "We have received no offers for Albert Riera. Not from Liverpool or any other club.
"We know what has been written in the newspapers, but this is the truth."
Meanwhile, the traditional bad blood between Brazil and Argentina spilled over into the Anfield ranks when Lucas was sent off for a foul on fellow Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano in yesterday's Olympics semi-final in Beijing.
Lucas's Brazil lost 3-0 to the Argentinians, who now have to beat Nigeria on Saturday to secure a second successive gold medal following their triumph in Athens four years ago.
Lucas will now be suspended for Brazil's bronze medal game against Nigeria on Friday.
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Nigeria is NOT playing Brazil for bronze. Nigeria ll be playing Argentina for Gold.
This is rather poor considering all the information on the internet.
I hope no PRAY this is not going to happen. As I understand it £18m for Barry proven in the premiership. £16m for Riera failed in the premiership!!!!!!!
Surely if the owners are deciding who is good enough the only knowledge they can use is Business acumen!! That would tell them that this makes no financial sense surely. He may be 1 year younger than Barry, but so are a lot of conferance players!!!!!
RAFA should try and go for MATIAS FERNANDEZ of villareal,he is an hot prospet for the future,thinks he is better than RIERA,he should also consider rafinha[brazil],Obasi[Nigeria].they are all great players.