Liverpool's Interest Is The Key To Parker's Future

Well it was always going to happen with Mascherano moving on. Liverpool, it seems, are now being linked with a bid of between £8m and £13m for Scott Parker.

The problem Sullivan faces at the moment is the collapse of the Milner deal to Man City. Had that gone through, Villa would have been flush with cash and would have been happy to pay a silly figure for Mr West Ham. With Villa out of the market, and Unreal City's money heading abroad, we are down to only two suitors for Parker, neither of whom have money to burn.

Woy's position has been made abundantly clear by the failed attempt to sign Luke Young and the resigning of failed Rafa recruit, Aurelio. He is scratching around in the bargain basement bins because Liverpool are broke. When the Mascherano money arrives, Woy will get a proportion to spend to prevent panic amongst the Kopites but will he want to spend to big a chunk of that on Parker? I doubt it. Woy's style is now to buy a player on the cheap when his stock is low. He made mistakes at Blackburn when he spent big based on reputation; at Fulham he has done the reverse. If I was a Liverpool fan, I would be very upset if Woy splashed £13m on a player who is not even a like for like replacement for Mascherano.

One thing's for sure, if Parker has had his head turned by the Spurs enquiry, Sullivan will be desperate for another club to firm up their interest. After all he has said, he will look incredibly stupid if Parker leaves for anything less than £12m. Villa were happy to pay that a couple of weeks back but Sullivan was hoping for a bigger chunk of the Unreal City slush fund.

Meanwhile, Scotty is in limbo, turning circles in the dark. If he asks for a transfer, he loses a cut of the transfer fee. Playing in the Champions League and staying in London is the carrot at Tottenham, whist playing in a midfield with Gerrard and Cole would have a certain appeal for a man with England aspirations. This story has further to run.