Liverpool move for Roma star

A number of Premier League clubs have been alerted by the much publicised fall-out between Jeremy Menez and his manager Claudio Ranieri at Roma.

The French star is highly-rated but has never fulfilled his early promise shown at Sochaux and Monaco. However, Menez is still only 22-years-old and there are a number of Premier League clubs eyeing a potential move with Liverpool the team named as leading the chase in the Italian press. 

There is no doubt that the French star possesses top drawer ability although his temperament has often been called into question.  

He is a highly technical player with superb dribbling and passing ability and his versatility would make him an extremely useful acquisition for Rafa Benitez particularly if he can secure Menez on a loan.

The French star can play on either wing, in the hole or as a forward so would be ideal for Liverpool. 

Menez has been linked with a return to France but his agent Alain Migliaccio suggested this is unlikely although the future for the player is open.  

He told romagiallorossa.com, "Menez to Marseille? That is not true at the moment, while Marseille are also set to sign (Inter Milan's) Mancini." 

"I don't know what the future will hold for Jeremy. I will talk with Roma next week." 

Roma coach Claudio Ranieri has suggested that he is willing to let Menez leave. He declared, "The club has needs and we must meet them."

"If there are requests from other clubs for our players, we will evaluate them. 

"I want to have players here who believe in the project and will give their all for the collective cause." 

Menez was dropped from the team following a poor showing as a 75th minute substitute in the 2-2 away draw at Cagliari and has not appeared since.  

It would seem Ranieri has ran out of patience with the creative star and he will be leaving Rome this month. Relations between the two clubs following Alberto Aquilani's move to Anfield and John-Arne Riise's move to Rome are good and the Italian press claim talks are ongoing. 

The French star began his career at Sochaux where he made a total of 55 league appearances (40 starts). Menez scored 7 goals for the club and became the youngest ever scorer of a Ligue One hat-trick, aged 17. He was also the youngest ever winner of Ligue One's Player of the Month award. Such were his performances that Monaco signed him in 2006, he went on to make 57 league appearances for them (45 starts) and scored 14 goals which prompted interest from a number of top European clubs. Roma eventually secured his services for 12.5 millions euros when he signed a 4-year contract in August 2008. 

Menez has failed to live up to expectations at the club but played 29 league games in his debut season (13 starts) while scoring 4 goals. However, this season the French playmaker has started 9 of his 10 appearances until his fallout with Ranieri. 

There is no doubting Menez's talent and the 22-year-old may be more suited to the pace and more attacking English game. He will certainly have a point to prove to his doubters both in Italy and France should Rafa Benitez get his man. The player has been prone to the odd outburst that has not done him any favours in Rome particularly when he criticised the role played by Roma's talisman in his debut season. The Frenchman said at the time, "I am at a team where Francesco Totti comes before anything else..." 

Claudio Ranieri's arrival looked set to rebuild the career and reputation of Menez as he looked to unlock the Frenchman's talent. However, he has openly criticised the player declaring, "Menez is a great champion, but must be more practical." 

"If you are dispossessed, you must double your efforts. We have to work a lot on this and it's not easy to get through to him. But it's a shame when you are a good dancer and don't want to dance..." 

Menez has been likened to both Zinedine Zidane and Thierry Henry in his homeland for his skills but he has yet to win a senior cap due to his lack of playing time in Italy plus the form of the likes of Franck Ribery and Yohan Gourcuff.  

Just like Gourcuff, the creative star may need a different environment to bring out the best in him. After all, other French stars have thrived when leaving Italy after arriving perhaps too early in their careers.  

Both Patrick Vieira and Gourcuff both failed to perform in Italy so a loan move to Liverpool may be just what the player needs to prove to everyone just how talented he is. 

A loan move with an option to sign the player in a £7.5million deal in the summer would suit both parties.  

Menez' ability to play on either flank or alongside or just behind Fernando Torres marks him out as an ideal option.  

The Reds need a boost this January and according to the Italian press, the French enigma may be the man to provide it.

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily reflect the position of Liverpool Football Club.