RYAN BABEL could become the first high-profile casualty of Rafael Benitez’s summer shake-up after being told he can leave Liverpool.
Babel’s agent Winnie Haatrecht met with the Anfield manager to discuss the player having a more prominent first-team role next season.
Benitez, though, was unable to offer such guarantees and has informed the Holland international he may now speak to other clubs during the transfer window.
That is likely to spark a chase for Babel, who became the third-most expensive player in Liverpool’s history when arriving for £11.5million from Ajax in July 2007.
Liverpool will want to recoup of much as that fee as possible, with Babel likely to command a price tag of around £8m.
Ajax, who yesterday appointed Martin Jol as new coach to succeed Marco van Basten, are thought eager to re-sign Babel but could be put off by the asking price and the player’s wages.
Babel is also certain to attract interest from Italy and Spain, with Benitez open to the possibility of using the 22-year-old as a makeweight to facilitate a possible big-money transfer.
Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa and Arsenal have all been linked with a summer move for Babel and could make any interest formal.
Babel has scored 14 goals in 91 appearances for Liverpool. However, only 42 have been in a starting role – a mere six coming this calendar year – with the Dutchman having completed the full 90 minutes on just 15 occasions.
With Benitez needing to generate funds to supplement his existing transfer budget, the Spaniard is keen to swiftly move on those players who no longer form part of his plans.
“We have some targets but right now it is too soon because some clubs do not know what the future holds for them but we will wait and see,” said the Liverpool manager.
“But our idea is to have players signed before pre-season begins because this would be perfect.
“It means you can start working with them and training with them with the ideas that you want to get across to them so that they can start putting them into practice on the pitch.”
Benitez also wants to solve the work permit problem for Argentine winger Sebastian Leto, who has spent the last season on loan to Greek club Olympiacos.
“We will try to work something out, I do not want him to go,” said the Liverpool manager.
The reasons for refusing the permit were his lack of international and club experience.
Benitez was critical of that decision, but is likely to sell Leto if the permit is refused once again.
