Hodgson Back In Fray For Ziegler

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson
has already identified one
January target with the former
Craven Cottage chief looking to
sign Sampdoria left-back Reto
Ziegler. The Switzerland
international has already played
in the Premier League for
Tottenham Hotspur after joining
from Grasshoppers Zurich and
Wigan Athletic.
The 24-year-old was scouted by
Frank Arnesen now of Chelsea in
August 2004, with the left back
signing for the club and
competing under Martin Jol with
Timothee Atouba for the left back
spot.
Due to a lack of first team
opportunities the youngster had
loan spells at Hamburg, Wigan
Athletic and Sampdoria, who he
eventually joined in 2007 after
Gareth Bale arrived at White Hart
Lane.
However reds boss Roy Hodgson
believes the youngster still has a
bright future ahead of him
following a number of consistent
displays in Serie A as well as
establishing himself for
Switzerland at international level.
The Swiss international was the
subject of intense interest from
Zenit St Petersburg and Liverpool
in the summer, however
Hodgson opted to re-sign Fabio
Aurelio and Fulham defender
Paul Konchesky.
Reports in Italy suggest Hodgson
is eager to bring the
international to Anfield to
provide competition for what
has become a problem position
on Merseyside. Hodgson is
having the defender watched by
scouts ahead of a possible
January offer.