Jose Enrique has long been a target for Liverpool, and the left back looks to be closer than ever to a move to Merseyside after Alan Pardew admitted Enrique has snubbed a new contract with Newcastle.
"[Enrique] has Champions League aspirations and he is waiting to see whether anyone who has qualified for that competition is willing to come in for him," Pardew revealed.
"That is his right and there isn't much more we can do about it.
"We have tried as hard as we can, in the financial situation we are in, to keep him. We offered him an excellent deal, but he doesn't seem to be interested in signing it at the moment.
"It is frustrating - but that is the situation we are in.
"It is up to him, but he wants to see what else there is for him," the Newcastle manager said.
While Liverpool aren't in the Champions League this season, or the Europa League, the side have clearly set a goal to be back in the top tier European competition in the next few years. Signings of former teammate Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez, along with Kenny Dalglish being made permanent manager, are all testament to this.
Enrique fills a gap that has long been a problem for Liverpool with Dalglish reportedly desperate to sign the star for the left back position. The BBC rated Enrique at £15 million, which puts the Spaniard well within Liverpool's budget.
Enrique recently said he wouldn't be concerned with leaving Newcastle, giving Liverpool a further boost that they well acquire their transfer prize.
"If I have to continue here [at Newcastle], I'm happy. If I have to go to another club, I'm happy in England," Enrique said.
"If I have to go to another league, I'm happy.
"I just want to play football - it's my life and it's best for me."
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