Pongolle and Mellor Away

Florent Sinama Pongolle today signed a one year loan deal with newly promoted La Liga outfit Recreativo de Huelva. Neil Mellor, meanwhile, is bound for Deepdale to play for Preston North End, after the clubs agreed an undisclosed fee rumoured to be around the £500,000 to £1,000,000 mark.

Mellor will be remembered for his match-winning goals against Arsenal and Olympiakos, a poachers goal against Newcastle, a brace against Boro in the League Cup, and a semi-final goal against his home-town club, Sheffield United, in the same competition.

Pongolle's loan deal apparently does not have a buyout clause, and therefore he will likely return at the end of the season.

Rumours suggest that Jan Kromkamp is on his way to PSV Eindhoven. Benitez has reportedly had a £2M offer rebuffed by Blackburn Rovers for Lucas Neil, who is eligible to buy out his own contract for a sum in the region of £1.7M which should ensure the signing goes through whether Blackburn like it or not, with Neil refusing to sign a renewal and reportedly eager to join the Reds. A versatile defender who can cover across the back line, Neil would be an excellent addition to the squad from a footballing perspective, even if many fans are questioning his attitude.

Another rumour has Harry Kewell linked with Tottenham Hotspurs. A well-known poster on certain Liverpool sites who is a known acquaintance of the Spurs club doctor has stated that a Liverpool player definitely had a medical with them this morning, which he is rumoured to have failed. A process of elimination suggests this was Harry, with Spurs in the chase for a left-sided player and Benitez having strengthened that flank this season.