Liverpool Transfer News: Reds Confirm Moroccan Winger Capture
Liverpool offically announce the signing of Oussama Assaidi
Liverpool have confirmed the signing of Moroccan winger Oussama Assaidi from Dutch side Heerenveen, subject to the player passing his medical.
The Daily Mail reports the Reds paid £3m for the 24 year old winger who was in the final year of his contract. There was reportedly significant interest in the Moroccan, with Dutch champions Ajax, Russian club Spartak Moscow and Turkish club Galatasaray all bidding for his services. Liverpool also beat out Fulham for the player's signature.
The Moroccan international is expected to sign a four year deal with Brendan Rodgers' Liverpool, worth £21,000 per week and will be expected to fill the gap left by Dutch international Dirk Kuyt and Argentinean Maxi Rodriguez, both of whom were allowed to move on by Rodgers.
The Reds have already signed Italian striker Fabio Borini and Welsh midfielder Joe Allen (from Roma and Swansea, respectively) and are reportedly still in the transfer market, with a loan deal for Real Madrid's Turkish midfielder Nuri Sahin being discussed and links to Atletico Madrid's Uruguayan centre back Diego Godin.
Meanwhile, Rodgers has admitted to a difficult time in the transfer market this season, largely because of a lack of funds.
"The reality is that we didn't have the money this year. That's the reality of it. There's a certain budget that we've had to work within. And even to get those one or two players in, we've had to move one or two out. That was the way it was," ESPN quoted Rodgers as saying.
However, the former Swansea boss said he would make the best use of the limited funding by bringing in promising new faces.
"It's not something that worries me or frustrates me. It's the real world that we're in here. And now we've just got to make sure that we're effective with the players that we bring in, and that they can make a difference to us," he added.
An Expensive Past
Former manager Kenny Dalglish spent a staggering £120m on transfers last season but was unable to stop the club from sliding to eighth in the league - their worst finish of all time. The club did win the Carling Cup but it was never going to be enough.
Nonetheless, Rodgers has admitted to still admiring Dalglish, who helped Liverpool to plenty of silverware as a player, and reiterated he would do his best to help the club regain former glory.
"The main objective this year is to show improvement and gain stability within the club. These are the challenges that lie ahead for us. It's been traumatic here over the last few years. Kenny Dalglish is an icon of this club, and some great people have worked here. It's my job to follow in their footsteps and try to get the tradition of this great club back on track," he concluded.
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