Liverpool are on the verge of securing deals for two long-term transfer targets in Aston Villa winger Ashley Young and Newcastle United defender Jose Enrique, according to reports in the Guardian.
The Metro reported at the weekend that Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish would be handed a 'significant' transfer budget in the summer and while many expect a host of arrivals it is more likely the money will be used to fill two crucial areas.
The Reds are currently short of cover at left-back, with Fabio Aurelio the only recognized left-sided defender at the club, while Dalglish has also made a winger a priority.
Newcastle seem destined to let Spanish defender Enrique leave at the end of the season, but are still negotiating with Liverpool as to the type of deal that is eventually agreed.
Liverpool would prefer to pay around £15million for the 25-year-old, while Newcastle boss Alan Pardew is desperate to try and force the Reds to offer a player-plus-money deal.
The former West Ham and Charlton boss has been keeping tabs on the impressive performances of midfielder Jay Spearing and is reportedly going to test Liverpool's resolve by asking for the tough tackling player plus around £6m.
Meanwhile, Liverpool seems intent on landing England international Young at the end of the season and could be prepared to match Aston Villa's expectations with an offer of £25m.
The midlands club are aware that Young wants to leave in the summer and with just over one-year left on his contract realize that they will have to cash-in on their prized asset at the end of the season.
Manchester United have also been heavily linked with the former Watford winger, but it seems the revival of Liverpool under Dalglish may be turning a few heads.
The Scottish manager wants to build a squad around young players and big money signings and could ditch the likes of Paul Koncheskey, Christian Poulsen and Milan Jovanovic to make room for the likely new arrivals.
Liverpool's director of football Damien Comolli has also admitted in recent weeks that the Reds will be doing business in the summer and that he has already had contact from a number of agents.
"We are very attractive for a lot of players because of what we did in January and a game like that [the 3-1 defeat of Manchester United] is fantastic publicity for us around the world.
"Since the day after I was getting phone calls from agents telling me that their player would love to come and that we are going to compete next year if we get it right.
"We are attractive to a lot of top players and we want to bring top players to this club."
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