Goalkeeper Scott Carson has called for Liverpool to place a realistic price tag on his head as he revealed his desire to sort out his long-term future.
Carson spent the 2007-2008 campaign on loan to Aston Villa in a £1.5million
deal after having previously experienced similar spells at Sheffield Wednesday
and Charlton.
Villa manager Martin O'Neill is considering his goalkeeping options for next
season with Thomas Sorensen poised to leave now that his contract has come to an
end.
But, wherever his future lies, 22-year-old Carson wants a fair price to be
asked by the Reds for his services.
There has been speculation that Rafael Benitez will be asking around
£10million for Carson.
The England keeper said: 'It's too much (Liverpool's valuation). It's stupid
money really. You pay £10million for a goalkeeper who is 27, 28 and the finished
article.
'To be honest, I'm far from the finished article. I have got another five
years of learning.
'I don't think Liverpool are stupid. They know what I'm worth. They would
have recouped what they paid for me in loan fees over the last couple of years.
'So hopefully, they can help me out and if there is a sniff of going
somewhere, then hopefully they will respect my wishes and help me that way.'
Carson added: 'I would like to get settled but it's not up to me. Whether
it's Villa or anyone else, it's up to them to try to sort it out.
'I haven't got a clue what's happening. I haven't even spoken to Liverpool.
'But I want to play football. I have played football for the last two seasons
and I don't think I will be content with sitting on the bench.
'I still don't know what's around the corner. I have got a couple of weeks
now to think about what's going to happen.
'As it stands, I go back to Liverpool but I want to be playing first-team
football. Liverpool have got a great keeper in Pepe Reina and he's going to take
a lot of shifting.
'It might be the time for me to move on but I don't know Rafa's thoughts and
I don't know if anyone is going to agree a fee with Liverpool. It's going to be
an interesting couple of weeks.'
