Liverpool Lining Up Lens Keeper?
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Liverpool could sign a French replacement for goalkeeper Scott Carson, who wants first team football away from Anfield this season and is a target for Aston Villa.
Liverpool are reportedly set to sign Lens goalkeeper Charles Itandje, who was apparently spotted at Anfield on Wednesday.
Frenchman Itandje is also said to have interested Manchester United, but is now thought likely to sign for Liverpool during the course of the next few days as a replacement for Scott Carson. -
Oic, poor Scott.
Cheers.
CK -
Aston Villa remain confident they will tie up a season long loan deal for Liverpool 'keeper Scott Carson.
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Carson is set to make the move to the midlands in a move which will cost Villa around £2million.
Villa manager Martin O'Neill moved swiftly to recruit the England squad player after he lost out to Sunderland in the race for the signature of Hearts' stopper Craig Gordon.
Although Manchester City are also in the frame, Villa have emerged as the clear favourites to sign the former Leeds player according to sources close to the midlands club.
Carson's burning desire is to eventually follow his former Elland Road team-mate Paul Robinson into the England side.
But he is aware of the need to continue to play regular Premier League football to achieve that goal.
He spent last season on loan at Charlton but, despite performing capably, failed to prevent them from being relegated from the top flight.
Now he is to move to Villa where the expectation levels for the forthcoming campaign will be considerably higher than at The Valley.
Villa have no need to rush the deal through as Carson could not play in Saturday's home clash with Rafael Benitez's side and Wednesday's game at Blackburn has been postponed because of their UEFA Cup commitments.
If all goes to plan, he is likely to make his debut the following weekend against Newcastle at St James' Park.
Carson's move will inevitably place a question mark over the future of last season's number one Thomas Sorensen once he has recovered from a hamstring injury.
He has only 10 months left of his current deal and there has been no sign of a new contract offer.
Sorensen has shown himself to be a capable shot-stopper but O'Neill would prefer a 'keeper who commands his area in a more authoritative manner.
Stuart Taylor will be between the posts against the Reds with Academy prospect David Bevan on the substitute's bench. -
Reds in Itandje talks
Liverpool are in talks to sign Lens goalkeeper Charles Itandje, which will allow Scott Carson to join Aston Villa on loan.
Itandje's future appears to be away from Lens after the French club brought in two new goalkeepers and Villa themselves have been previously linked with the 24-year-old earlier in the summer.
Rafa Benitez has confirmed Liverpool are negotiating with a goalkeeper with a view to bringing him in as Jose Reina's back-up.
"We are close and maybe we can do something (today)," Benitez told Sky Sports News.
Benitez confirmed a deal for Itandje will have to be struck before 11pm on Thursday, when Liverpool must register their players for the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round.
He added: "If we can register a new goalkeeper then Scott can go, if we cannot he must stay with us at least two more weeks." -
Liverpool wrap up Itandje capture
The capture of the former France Under-21 international comes allows England hopeful Scott Carson to join Aston Villa on loan.
Carson, who spent last season at Charlton, had requested another move in order to maintain his presence in the England squad.
Spain number one Jose Reina is the established first choice at Anfield.
A Lens statement read: "The directors of Lens have concluded the definitive sale of Charles Itandje to Liverpool Football Club.
"The Lens goalkeeper leaves Lens after six years of good and loyal service. We wish him good luck and best wishes for his future career."
Itandje will be eligible to take his place in the squad for next week's Champions League qualifier in Toulouse.
Liverpool landed the 24-year-old after seeing him linked with Manchester United, Villa, Lyon and Real Betis recently.