Liverpool will be keeping a watching eye on Premier League investigations into Manchester City and Everton for potential financial rule breaches for varying reasons.
when it comes to Everton, Kopites are understandably conscious of the fate of their local rivals, amid suggestions of possible points deductions
they are not the only cases that could be of interest to those of a Liverpool persuasion, with it confirmed back in August that the Premier League is also investigating potential financial rule breaches by Chelsea.
The Times have since reported that the investigation is into secret transfer-related payments made by Chelsea during the Roman Abramovich era
This includes the scrutiny of financial transactions around the signings of Willian - who was a Liverpool transfer target at the time
The transfer to Stamford Bridge from Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala were flagged up by Chelsea’s present owners
The Times reporting that financial records indicate that payments may have been made to “Russian entities” that were separate to any transfer fee
They also claim that at least one alleged payment to a player’s family is also under scrutiny. Alongside payments to Russian entities and at least six offshore companies.
Liverpool had actually tried to sign the Brazilian from the Russian outfit first, before first Tottenham Hotspur and then Chelsea swooped in.
Anzhi had transfer-listed their entire squad following a financial restructure, and keen to take advantage and with the Reds willing to match the £30m asking fee
Rodgers had even set captain Steven Gerrard on the charm offensive to help bring the winger to Anfield.
Gerrard
The quest for William became more urgent. Brendan and the club hoped I could convince him,“ Gerrard recalled in his 2015 autobiography. “
"I also knew that if we got Willian, and the club were ready to spend £30m, it would show Luis (Suarez) we meant business.
"I followed the usual routine when approaching a star player we wanted to sign. Instead of calling him directly I always sent a text.
"It seemed more respectful and allowed the player to read my message at a time when it suited him best. A cold call felt wrong.
"I slipped into the groove with Willian. I said hello and hoped he didn’t mind me contacting him directly.
"I stressed how much I admired him as a player and then, having mentioned the fact that I knew Liverpool were speaking to his agent, I used the standard line: ‘If you need to chat or ask any questions I’m available at any time’.
"It was the opening move in a familiar game. The reply came in and the same old conversation started.
"Willian thanked me and he said the usual, along the lines of, ‘I’d love to play with you, Steven, blah-blah-blah, but there are other clubs I need to talk to as well’.
"I knew Spurs and Chelsea were also very keen on Willian. So I answered him and said, of course, I understood the situation.
“But I then went in with my sales pitch. ‘I think Liverpool would be a great move for you. The fans are amazing, the history is there and we’re building a good team.
"You could do something great here – and we’d love to have you’
"The next text from Willian was so obvious I could have written it for him even before I read it. He again said that it would be great to play in the same team as me but, ‘I’m not sure Liverpool can give me the Champions League’.
“There was no disputing it. I could not guarantee Champions League football with Liverpool to Willian or any of the other dozens of players I had contacted over the years."
Having decided Liverpool wasn’t for him, Willian underwent a medical at Tottenham ahead of a £30m deal but there was to be a twist in the tale as Chelsea swooped in to sign him under the nose of their London rivals
The Times have reported that there is no suggestion that Willian had no knowledge of separate payments when completing their transfers to Chelsea 10 years ago.
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