Liverpool are close to securing a deal for Espanyol winger Albert Riera.
Reports in Spain suggest the fee would be in the region of about £9m for the 26-year-old, who has also been the subject of a bid by Merseyside rivals Everton.
Riera, who spent a spell on loan with Manchester City in 2006, has also played for Real Mallorca and Bordeaux.
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez said that the Anfield outfit had yet to agree on a fee, while Espanyol sporting director Paco Herrera said “differences” remained.
“This is a sensitive time, and we need to make sure we reach a solution one way or another,” said Herrera.
“Everything is going well and a deal can be reached. The differences we have are ones we can solve.”
Earlier this week, Herrera claimed that his club had received two offers, believed to be from Everton, who met their valuation for the player, and Liverpool, who offered less.
However, reports suggest that the Spain international did not want to move to Goodison Park and was keen to join Liverpool.
“There is a team which is offering what we have asked and another one which isn’t, but the player is interested in the one which is offering the least,” Herrera told El Mundo Deportivo. “We will not lower our asking price.”
