Portsmouth's England defender Glen Johnson has agreed to join Liverpool in a £17.5m move.
Chelsea and Manchester City were also interested but it is thought Anfield was his preferred destination.
Johnson had limited first-team chances at Chelsea in his spell there, but established himself in the England team after his move to Portsmouth in 2007.
It is understood Pompey still owe Liverpool £7m from the deal that saw them buy Peter Crouch last summer.
A Liverpool statement said: "We have reached an agreement with Portsmouth and Glen Johnson for the transfer of the player to Anfield."
Johnson will be Liverpool's first signing this summer and as the club are operating under financial restrictions, boss Rafael Benitez is likely to sell Andrea Dossena to help fund the deal.
Portsmouth paid £4m for 24-year-old right-back Johnson, who emerged as Benitez's prime target after having an outstanding season at Fratton Park last season.
Spanish defender Alvaro Arbeloa could also be sacrificed to raise cash towards the Johnson deal, with Real Madrid being linked with an £8m move.
Johnson signed a new four-year deal at Portsmouth in January, but club officials accepted they could not stand in his way if he was offered the opportunity to move to a club playing in the Champions League.
Chelsea and Manchester City were also interested but it is thought Anfield was his preferred destination.
Johnson had limited first-team chances at Chelsea in his spell there, but established himself in the England team after his move to Portsmouth in 2007.
It is understood Pompey still owe Liverpool £7m from the deal that saw them buy Peter Crouch last summer.
A Liverpool statement said: "We have reached an agreement with Portsmouth and Glen Johnson for the transfer of the player to Anfield."
Johnson will be Liverpool's first signing this summer and as the club are operating under financial restrictions, boss Rafael Benitez is likely to sell Andrea Dossena to help fund the deal.
Portsmouth paid £4m for 24-year-old right-back Johnson, who emerged as Benitez's prime target after having an outstanding season at Fratton Park last season.
Spanish defender Alvaro Arbeloa could also be sacrificed to raise cash towards the Johnson deal, with Real Madrid being linked with an £8m move.
Johnson signed a new four-year deal at Portsmouth in January, but club officials accepted they could not stand in his way if he was offered the opportunity to move to a club playing in the Champions League.
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