Liverpool look to Magpies cut-price business

AS Roma defender John Arne Riise has emerged as a transfer target for Newcastle United reports the Daily Mirror.

Rumours linking the former Liverpool ace with a move to St James’ Park come amidst increased speculation that current Toon left-back Jose Enrique will follow in the footsteps of Riise and move to Anfield in the summer.

The 30-year-old Norwegian international is expected to be made available to potential suitors when the transfer window reopens in June according to insidefutbol.com.

Riise joined Roma in 2008 after enjoying a successful seven-year spell at Liverpool, winning seven trophies during his time at Anfield – the most notable being the dramatic Champions League final victory over AC Milan in 2005.


 

It is well known that Kenny Dalglish is in the market for a new full-back to solve the Reds’ problem position on the left side of defence and Riise has in fact been touted for a return to Liverpool in some areas of the media.

But in reality, Newcastle is a more realistic destination as Alan Pardew begins his search for a replacement for Enrique ahead of his likely summer transfer be it to Liverpool or elsewhere.

Riise’s Roma contract is set to expire in the summer of 2012 so the Serie A side could look to cash in at the end of the season in order to prevent losing him for free under the Bosman ruling next year.