
The 25-year-old was told yesterday that he is free to leave and can
start talking to other clubs, joining the likes of Andriy Voronin,
Peter Crouch and Scott Carson on Rafa’s scrapheap.
The former
Arsenal man is a long-term target of both Newcastle and West Ham, and
they may have to fork out in the region of ₤7 million as Benitez seeks
to recoup what he paid Birmingham City for the player in 2006.
Pennant
has impressed in spurts during his time on Merseyside, an excellent run
of form during the second half of the 2006-07 season culminating in a
brilliant showing during the Champions League in Athens, where the Reds
lost 2-1 to AC Milan.
But injuries have ravaged Pennant’s
season, as he suffered dual stress-fractures in his shins earlier in
the term and has struggled to regain his place since due to the
all-action efforts of Dirk Kuyt on the right side of attack.
The
former Notts County youth did impress recently in Liverpool’s lame-duck
league fixtures, putting in a match-winning performance against Fulham
and a match-saving turn against his old club at St Andrew’s.
But
he was absent from the squad for the final two games of the season
against Manchester City and Tottenham, signalling the almost-certain
demise of his Anfield career.
Pennant has been offered as a
makeweight in Benitez's bid to bring Gareth Barry to Anfield, but his
exit could also facilitate a move for fellow Arsenal product David
Bentley, who has long been linked with Liverpool.
Blackburn
Rovers boss Mark Hughes remains steadfast in his desire to keep hold of
his star winger, and Benitez may have to devote a hefty portion of his
transfer budget to secure the England international, ₤15 million being
touted as the going rate.
finally RaFa realise pennant is another average player he has sign.
the list of average player he has sign just go on and on and on.
no wonder liverpool plan to built their stadium is stall. coz they has a manager that buy more flops than gems. i think liverpool should get scolari sack rafa!!!