John Arne Riise set to seal Roma switch
by Christopher Beesley, Liverpool Daily Post
JOHN ARNE RIISE'S wish for Liverpool and Roma to agree a fee for him is set
to be granted with a move expected to go through by the end of the week.
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez confessed at the end of last season that
he would allow Riise to end his seven-year stay at Anfield if "the right
price" was offered.
That price appears to be £5million, but Riise hopes Liverpool will
compromise in order to facilitate his switch to Serie A.
Roma are believed to have made a bid in the region of £4million for the
Norwegian international but the two clubs' differences in the player's
valuation are likely to be ironed out within the next few days.
Earlier this month, Roma coach Luciano Spalletti confirmed his interest in
the 27-year-old, saying Riise "can give a different dimension", and "Riise
has the qualities we are looking for."
Now Riise has spoken for the first time of his intention to leave Anfield
in order to find "new challenges."
He said: "That was nice what was said by the coach (Spalletti), but this is
only something I have heard from media reports.
"I have only one year of my contract left, so the price is lower than a
year ago – 50 million Norwegian Kroner (approximately £5million) seems a
little high for me.
"I need to play and need to be in a team where I can become better, because
I know I can become better.
"When you change club, you get a kick-start and a set of new challenges."
posted by lfc vancouver @ 11:42 AM
