Rafa Benitez has refused to enter a war of words with Sunderland boss Steve Bruce over Kenwyne Jones.
Babel future may be decided in January transfer window
Rafa Benitez has refused to enter a war of words with Sunderland boss Steve Bruce regarding Liverpool's pursuit of Kenwyne Jones.
The cash-strapped Reds are understood to want to sign the powerful striker on loan in the January transfer window with star man Fernando Torres recovering from knee surgery.
Bruce hit back at suggestions that he would allow a highly-valued player to leave and branded Liverpool's interest as 'embarrassing', labelling the Merseysider's public interest as an attempt to unsettle Jones.
Benitez, though, has resisted the opportunity to respond and claims Liverpool managing director Christian Purslow and Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn have been in talks.
The Liverpool manager told
Sky Sports News when asked for his reaction to Bruce's comments: "I was not involved in this. Christian Purslow was talking with Niall Quinn, so they are managing the situation."
When quizzed as to whether a deal could yet materialise, he added: "They are talking about this."
Fury
Meanwhile, Benitez insists there have been no developments with regards to the future of Ryan Babel but has hinted the winger could still leave in January.
The Dutchman has been the subject of a £9million bid from Birmingham, which was rejected by the Reds, while he also risked the fury of his boss with a
Twitter outburst.
Babel's agent, Winnie Haatrecht, claimed last week that a move to St Andrews remains a possibility and that an offer was being studied.
Benitez has not divulged any such details, but has implied that he would be willing to listen to offers.
The Spaniard told Liverpool's
official website: "We are working with him, he is training with the team normally and we don't have any news.
"Maybe we'll have more news before the end of the transfer window."
