Rafa Benitez will this week make an official approach to Middlesbrough for Stewart Downing.
The Reds boss had hoped Downing would remain on Merseyside for talks following Boro's 2-1 defeat at Anfield yesterday, but the winger's boss Gareth Southgate refused him permission.
Benitez is a huge fan of the England star and is prepared to meet the north-east side's £12 million valuation.
And his move for the player appears to represent yet another nail in the coffin of Gareth Barry's dreams of joining the Reds. Aston Villa's England midfielder has long been linked with Liverpool and, even though Anfield's top brass have ultimately baulked at the Villains' £18m asking price, many believed the deal would eventually be done.
However the Spaniard, who would have used Barry on the left of midfield, has now decided Downing is his man.
The move for Downing represents a sea change for Benitez, who has revised his foreign policy. He has decided home-grown players are now more appealing than imports as they take less time to settle at their new club. And there could be further movement into Anfield this week as Benitez would still have around £8m for squad strengthening in a desperate bid to keep up with Chelsea and Manchester United.
Two foreigners on their way out of Liverpool are striker Andriy Voronin and keeper Charles Itandje.
The Reds rejected Galatasaray's initial bid of £2.5m for Ukrainian Voronin last week.
Benitez has told them he wants an extra £500,000 and the Turkish side are expected to bow to his wishes in the coming days.
Third-choice keeper Itandje is set to sign a season-long loan deal with Lille after his own move to the Istanbul outfit collapsed.
The Reds boss had hoped Downing would remain on Merseyside for talks following Boro's 2-1 defeat at Anfield yesterday, but the winger's boss Gareth Southgate refused him permission.
Benitez is a huge fan of the England star and is prepared to meet the north-east side's £12 million valuation.
And his move for the player appears to represent yet another nail in the coffin of Gareth Barry's dreams of joining the Reds. Aston Villa's England midfielder has long been linked with Liverpool and, even though Anfield's top brass have ultimately baulked at the Villains' £18m asking price, many believed the deal would eventually be done.
However the Spaniard, who would have used Barry on the left of midfield, has now decided Downing is his man.
The move for Downing represents a sea change for Benitez, who has revised his foreign policy. He has decided home-grown players are now more appealing than imports as they take less time to settle at their new club. And there could be further movement into Anfield this week as Benitez would still have around £8m for squad strengthening in a desperate bid to keep up with Chelsea and Manchester United.
Two foreigners on their way out of Liverpool are striker Andriy Voronin and keeper Charles Itandje.
The Reds rejected Galatasaray's initial bid of £2.5m for Ukrainian Voronin last week.
Benitez has told them he wants an extra £500,000 and the Turkish side are expected to bow to his wishes in the coming days.
Third-choice keeper Itandje is set to sign a season-long loan deal with Lille after his own move to the Istanbul outfit collapsed.
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