Liverpool consider legal action to force Heinze move
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Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has not given up of signing Gabriel Heinze from arch-rivals Manchester United. The Reds had tabled a bid - reported to be almost £7million - for the full-back which was dismissed out of hand by the Barclays Premier League champions, with United boss Sir Alex Ferguson adamant Heinze would not be leaving Old Trafford.
However, reports later surfaced that the Argentina defender's representatives could seek a resolution to the impasse through the courts. With the current saga surrounding Carlos Tevez's proposed move from West Ham still ongoing, the last thing United will want is another drawn out affair. But Benitez indicated legal action is already under way.
"We made the offer and they rejected it and the lawyers are working on it," said the Reds boss. "We have to wait. We're still trying to push the deal through. He's a player we like, he's a good player."
It emerged that Heinze had a letter signed by chief executive David Gill promising he could leave if United received a bid in excess of £6million - a figure Benitez is thought to have topped.
His representatives were reported to be considering legal action to push through the controversial deal - the first between the two clubs since Phil Chisnall moved to Anfield in 1964 - and it appears the Reds are also now willing to go to court to get their man. -
i thought the club has got the right to reject?
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United to probe Heinze approach
Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed Manchester United are investigating the possibility Liverpool made an illegal approach for Gabriel Heinze.
The row over Heinze's proposed move to Liverpool is threatening to spill over into open warfare after United have flatly refused to do business with Liverpool, even though Rafael Benitez has matched United's £6.8million asking price for the 29-year-old.
Although Heinze's agent claims to be in receipt of a letter which effectively gives the full-back permission to leave Old Trafford, United chief executive David Gill does not believe it over-rides the player's contract, which still has two years to run.
In any case, Gill insists he verbally informed Heinze's agent that United would not be prepared to do business with any of their main Premier League rivals, specifically Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea.
Currently on a short break following his participation at the Copa America, Heinze is said to be considering a legal challenge to Gill's view.
Yet the United stance only backs up Ferguson's previously stated opinion that Heinze had no chance of joining the Champions League finalists, a position that has only hardened over the past few days, with the United boss adding a further twist to the saga.
"Gabriel Heinze will not be joining Liverpool," he said immediately after his side's 6-0 pre-season win over Chinese League outfit Shenzhen in Macau.
"We are examining some of the statements coming from his agent and when contact was first made with Liverpool.
"We are not happy with the agent's conduct in the matter and we are examining that as well, but it will take a couple of days before we have anything more to say."
By coincidence Liverpool are only 40 miles away from United, having landed in Hong Kong yesterday ahead of the bi-annual Premier League Asia Cup competition.
Speaking before Ferguson dropped his bombshell, Benitez confirmed he was keen for Heinze to become the first player to head down the East Lancs Road from United to Liverpool since Phil Chisnall in 1964.
"We made the offer and they rejected it. Now the lawyers are working on it," said the Reds boss.
"We have to wait. We are still trying to push the deal through because he is a good player and a player we like."
It means United are heading towards the start of the defence of their Premier League title with two transfer wrangles needing to be sorted out.
Ferguson is still hopeful of having Carlos Tevez on board for the season's opening game against Reading on August 12. -
Heinze is old, his form is not as good as 3 yrs ago... 2 yrs ago he was injured for almost the whole season, last season he lost his place to Evra... I don't see him getting any better next season... So i say let him go, take the $6m and run before its gone...
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Fergie, its time to sell this bugger.
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hmm may agree here.. but to liverpool? aiyer...Originally posted by zocoss:Heinze is old, his form is not as good as 3 yrs ago... 2 yrs ago he was injured for almost the whole season, last season he lost his place to Evra... I don't see him getting any better next season... So i say let him go, take the $6m and run before its gone... -
Well... i guess we have heard of chelsea buying the best players on the market and preventing other clubs getting them and becoming stronger... How about selling your not so good player anymore to your rival to make them weaker...Originally posted by dinky1409:hmm may agree here.. but to liverpool? aiyer...
The problem is no other club is offering united for Heinze... only Pool, and to be fair its not a bad sum cos United paid less than $7m for him in 2004 and now 3 yrs later and Heinze 3 yrs older... they can still sell him for the same price...
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nowadays contracts are worthless.... to think a club can be sued when they refuse to sell a player...
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Dont mind the club, just take the money.
Cheers.
CK