Liverpool are on the verge of signing French striker Loic Remy on a five-year contract for a fee of around £12.5 million [€15m], Goal.com UK understands.
The 23-year-old is expected to travel to Merseyside in the next few days to undergo a medical before joining Roy Hodgson’s squad at its training camp in Switzerland, according to sources at Remy’s club, Nice.
Remy had been tempted by offers from Tottenham and West Ham, whose directors, David Sullivan and Karen Brady flew to the south of France in an attempt to negotiate a deal, but it was Liverpool’s history that tipped the balance and a deal has agreed in principle.
“Liverpool is a legendary club,” Remy told Nice Matin today. “I am very excited by the thought of playing there. It has a magnificent stadium and a fantastic public.”
Liverpool is expected to pay Nice £7.5 million [€9m] upfront with the rest to follow in installments.
The Nice president, Gilberto Stellado, is believed to have sought reassurances about Liverpool’s financial situation before agreeing to the move. Nice paid Olympique Lyonnais a club record €8m for Remy, although after two seasons and 25 goals they have accepted they can no longer hold on to a striker who but for an ankle injury might have gone to Arsenal in the January transfer window.
"I absolutely rely on him but we have resigned ourselves to his leaving," said the Nice coach, Eric Roy. "We had a verbal agreement that he would spend two seasons at Nice so it was always likely he would leave if an offer came along that matched what the club expected."
It comes after Remy's agent Frederic Guerra revealed he was in talks with Liverpool.
"Yes, Liverpool are interested in Loic and Loic is interested in Liverpool," he told Sky Sports. "There has also been interest from West Ham and Tottenham and it is now up to Nice. Loic has always said he is keen to play in England and Liverpool is a massive club."
He added: "I believe if Loic comes to England he will be a massive success. He is like Thierry Henry, but I believe if he comes to England he could be even better than Henry. He is a sensational player, he is very strong, very quick and two-footed. He is the complete player and Liverpool would love him."
Liverpool's new manager Roy Hodgson has made bolstering his team's forward line a priority, amid uncertainty over whether Fernando Torres will stay at the club.
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