Benitez Targets Quaresma Next

Hot on the heels of Fernando Torres' arrival at Anfield, Rafa Benitez is looking to strengthen his squad further. Facing stiff competition from Atletico Madrid, the coach has turned his attention towards Porto winger Quaresma.

Rafa Benitez is seeking to avoid a second consecutive third-placed finish in the Premiership and in doing so is building a squad from the front.

Fernando Torres is now settled in as the new star striker at Anfield, and now Benitez will look for wingers and attacking midfielders. Apparently, Quaresma is his number-one target.

The Portuguese winger has been heavily linked with Atletico Madrid, but Liverpool are an outside bet to gain his signature. They've already allegedly had a £13.5m bid rejected, but are confident that an improved offer could change Porto's minds.

Atletico, too, have apparently considered an offer in that region, but also included additional payout clauses based on results and performances.

Quaresma spent a fiery season with Barcelona before sparking a feud with coach Frank Rijkaard over being asked to play on the left flank instead of in his more usual right-wing role.

Since departing the Nou Camp in 2004, he's impressed at the Estadio do Dragao, and often swapped positions to play on the left.

Benitez Hints At Exit For Bellamy

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has placed a major doubt over striker Craig Bellamy's future at the club.

Benitez has added Fernando Torres to his squad and now has five strikers with Bellamy, Peter Crouch, Dirk Kuyt and fellow new signing Andriy Voronin.

Asked, at the unveiling of Torres, if he was happy the player was at the club and part of his plans, Benitez said: "Are you talking about Torres?"

Told Bellamy was the subject, he said: "I'm really happy with Torres here."

He added: "We have some clubs asking about Bellamy and it's a possibility.

"He knows my idea. He is our player at the moment and we will see what happens in the future.

"It is clear we have new players here and then it could be more difficult for some of the players.

"The only thing I can say is that Crouch will be staying with us. I have said to Crouch that he must fight for his position and he will stay with us."

Striker Djibril Cisse is already close to the exit door as he is set to be sold to Marseille.

Benitez played down a move for Manchester United left-back Gabriel Heinze and instead insisted he was trying to sign new wingers.

The Reds boss believes he needs to add to the signing of Torres to help his side challenge for the Premiership title.

"It is clear we need to improve to be contenders. You will ask if we can fight for the title with Torres. I think we need something more," he said.

"It is clear we will improve with Fernando but if we can find other players good enough I think we will have better balance.

"When you talk about the Premier League you talk about nine months and you need a big squad.

"We have some names. We are especially looking for wingers."

Torres Completes £26.5M LiverpooL Move

Liverpool have unveiled new signing Fernando Torres to English reporters at an Anfield press conference on Wednesday afternoon.

The 23-year-old former Atletico Madrid striker joins on a six-year deal, the Reds have confirmed, and he will take the number nine shirt worn by Robbie Fowler last season before he was released.

Liverpool also announced that Torres' transfer fee was substantially less than had been reported in the press over the last few weeks.

The Merseysiders claim they have paid Atletico a total fee of €30 million (£20.2 million), not the £26.5 million that had been speculated.

But the fee still makes Torres Liverpool's all-time record signing, beating the previous record set by Djibril Cisse's £14.1-million move from Auxerre in 2004.

The Spanish international has apparently also taken a pay-cut in order to join Liverpool, effectively rubbishing reports that he would earn close to £100,000 a week.

"I'm pleased to be joining a team with a winning mentality, a fantastic history and a great present-day team," Torres told the press conference through a translator.

"It was important the confidence shown in me by the club and by the manager.

"I know demands and expectations are high here and I know it will take hard work to succeed but I am willing to do that."

When asked how quickly he thinks he will acclimatise to the rigours of the Premiership, Torres explained that Liverpool's current crop of players would help him in that regard.

"Any settling-in process will be made much easier by the fact that there are several other Spanish players here," he said.

"They can give me the benefit of their experience in adapting to the Premiership."

He becomes the 17th player bought by Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez from La Liga clubs after fellow big-money signings such as Luis Garcia, Xabi Alonso and Fernando Morientes also joined the Reds over the last three years.

Crouch Wanted By Sven Goran Eriksson

Sven-Goran Eriksson has added England duo Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe to the growing list of strikers he would like at Manchester City.

The Swede, who will take over at Eastlands once Thaksin Shinawatra completes his takeover, will have a £50million transfer kitty to play with and has made strike reinforcements his top priority.

Middlesbrough forward Yakubu and former City man Nicolas Anelka are already on Eriksson's reported list of targets and they have now been joined by Crouch and Defoe, according to the Manchester Evening News.

Defoe is widely expected to leave Tottenham before the start of the season, with Sunderland, Aston Villa and Portsmouth among the clubs linked with a move.

However Eriksson's involvement with the 24-year-old at international level could work in his favour if he launches a bid soon.

Meanwhile Crouch is likely to be down the pecking order at Anfield following the signing of Andriy Voronin and the imminent arrival of Fernando Torres.

It is believed Rafa Benitez would prefer to keep hold of Crouch and ship out Craig Bellamy, but the Reds would certainly consider offers for the beanpole striker.

Torres Undergoes Medical At LiverpooL

Rafael Benitez's long search for a world class striker was all but over today as Fernando Torres put the finishing touches to his record-breaking move from Atletico Madrid to Liverpool.

The highly-rated Spain forward was undergoing a medical at the club's Melwood training headquarters this afternoon and will then put pen to paper on a six-year contract worth around £90,000 a week.

Luis Garcia has moved in the opposite direction having agreed a three-year contract with the Spanish club and will be unveiled at a press conference this afternoon after completing a medical. Liverpool are thought to have paid Atletico around £20.2m although with Garcia valued at around £4 million, the total package is worth over £24 million.

The deal comfortably eclipses the previous record of £14.2 million Liverpool paid for Djibril Cisse in 2004, although Benitez will doubtless congratulate himself for driving down Atletico's £27 million asking price, as stated in Torres's contract.

Torres Cuts Short Holiday To Close Deal

Fernando Torres has cut short his summer holiday to return to Madrid where he is locked in talks to iron out the final details of his move from Atlético to Liverpool.

The Spain international striker was asked by both clubs to come back from Polynesia in order to complete the transfer after a fee was agreed as reports that he was demanding €40m over six years was dismissed.

Liverpool have refuted reports that the 23-year-old was holding out for wages of around €150,000-a-week and it is believed that a deal worth €15,000 less has been agreed.

Torres gave his verbal agreement to the move at is now set to compolete the formalities on a deal that would break both clubs' record transfers with €32m changing hands.

The Reds' have proven that they are willing to spend big in order to close the gap with Manchester United and Chelsea and the Torres' transfer dwarfs their previous highest fee paid for Djibril Cisse at €19m in 2004.

Liverpool's chief executive, Rick Parry, was given the task of realising the move for Torres and he is now only hours away from being able to announce that it is official.

The reaction of the Atlético de Madrid supporters who held a protest in the Spanish capital last week should be softened after los Colchoneros brought in Diego Forlán and Juan Román Riquelme.

Ricardo Quaresma is also said to be close to agreeing a switch to Vicente Calderón, meaning that the club could have a stronger squad that last term even without Torres.

While the Liverpool front line is being strengthened, the Reds are close to snapping up Gabriel Heinze from Manchester United.

Bellamy Heading For Anfield Exit

Craig Bellamy is heading for a cut-price departure from Anfield as Liverpool put the finishing touches to their club record move for Atletico Madrid's Fernando Torres.

Interested parties such as West Ham, Aston Villa, Newcastle and Blackburn had all been deterred by Bellamy's £12million price tag.

But with Torres likely to cost upwards of £25m, Anfield bosses have been forced into a rethink and may have to accept as little as the £6m they paid Blackburn for him.

Villa and Newcastle retain an interest, but Liverpool hope the Wales skipper may yet be useful as part of their bid for West Ham's Yossi Benayoun.

Liverpool last night signed Spanish wonder boy Daniel Pacheco — a striker, 16, from Barcelona.

Liverpool's move will cause uproar that another talent has slipped through the Camp Nou net.

The compensation fee will be about £350,000.

LiverpooL Enter Race For Heinze

Liverpool are reportedly ready to rival Juventus for the signature of Gabriel Heinze, but the Manchester United defender is remaining tight-lipped about his future until after the Copa America.

The uncompromising full-back is currently representing Argentina in Venezuela but on his return to Manchester, it does look likely that he could be set for a move away from Old Trafford.

Heinze has cultivated a cult status amongst the United faithful since arriving at the club from Paris Saint Germain, but last season, was more of a peripheral figure due to Patrice Evra's emergence as first choice left-back.

Juventus and Real Madrid are known to be keen on recruiting him for next season, but it has now emerged that United's Premier League rivals Liverpool are also suitors.

Sir Alex Ferguson would likely be loath to sanction Heinze's departure to Merseyside, but should Rafa Benitez outbid foreign interest then a deal could yet be concluded.

Heinze, though, is concentrating his thoughts on matters on-the-field, rather than off it.

"I know some clubs are interested in me," he told the Sun. "My head is with the Argentina team to play the Copa America.

"After that and a holiday, I will know better where I will play next season.”

LiverpooL Signed 'The Killer'

Liverpool have raided Barcelona to sign one of their prized young talents in the shape of Dani Pacheco.

The 16-year-old, nicknamed The Killer by his team-mates, was regarded as one of the best youngsters in the youth set-up at Camp Nou and only arrived as a 13-year-old from Malaga.

However, he has shunned their offer of professional terms in order to pen a three-year deal at Anfield.

Pacheco's signing is the latest in a string of youth deals tied up by the Merseyside giants in recent weeks - with Alex Kacaniklic, Marvin Purie, Mikel San Jose, Nikolai Mihailov, Krisztian Nemeth and Andras Simon all penning deals to join the club's academy ranks.

Barca youth coach Garcia Pimienta admitted losing Pacheco was a huge blow to the club.

"It is a great loss for the club because he is a forward with a lot of quality," Garcia told Sport.

"He has been our top goalscorer and has already played for the youth team.

"Alongside Thiago Alcantara and Gai Assulin, he is one of the cadets we had the most hope for, but nothing can be done anymore.

"Everything happened very suddenly."

The news of Pacheco's departure to England is another blow to Barca, who have lost a host of top youngsters to the Premier League in recent seasons.

The likes of Cesc Fabregas, Fran Merida and Gerard Pique have all turned their back on the Blaugrana to make the move to the English top-flight.

Cisse Set To Leave LiverpooL

Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse is set to sign a permanent deal with Marseille despite a late approach from West Ham.

Bolton and Portsmouth were also interested in signing the 25-year-old, who cost Liverpool £14m in July 2004.

But Cisse, who spent last season on loan at Marseille, is keen to join the French club on a permanent basis.

"Marseille is definitely the choice for Djibril," Cisse's agent Ranko Stojic told BBC Sport. "I think the deal will happen on Friday or Saturday."

Stojic added: "I have been very busy this week - I caught six planes in two days - and I am sorry for the people I have not had the chance to call back, Mr Eggert Magnusson of West Ham for example."

Magnusson, who was thwarted in his attempt to sign Darren Bent from Charlton, tried to contact Stojic earlier in the week - but Cisse had already opted to join Marseille permanently.

"The Marseille option is the best choice for Djibril because of the Champions League," said Stojic.

"West Ham, Bolton and Portsmouth I understand are very, very good clubs but Djibril wants to play in the top level of European competition next season."

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez made it clear that Cisse would only be allowed to leave Anfield on a permanent basis.

"Mr Benitez has been very, very correct," added Stojic.

"Of course he tried to get a little bit more money for his club but I think it will be a good deal for everybody.

"There are some details to sort out between Liverpool and Marseille but I think it will happen soon."

Marseille started their pre-season training on 25 June and the player is keen to sort out his future as soon as possible so he can join his new team-mates.

Cisse, who has two years left on his deal at Liverpool, has broken his leg twice in the last three years, first in 2004 and then in a friendly for France against China last year just before the World Cup in Germany.

And after suffering such serious injuries, Stojic stated: "He is so motivated after all the problems he has had."

Rafa Coy Over Torres Talk

Rafa Benitez is remaining coy over the prospect of Fernando Torres arriving at Anfield, even if the Liverpool boss insists the club is working hard to secure new signings.

Whilst The Reds have brought in a number of talented youngsters over the summer - with two more joining on Friday - a big name arrival remains conspicuous by its absence.

Atletico Madrid striker Torres is likely to be the first at a club record £27million, as the two clubs are understood to have held extensive talks regarding a transfer for the Spanish international.

The Primera Liga club has denied that Torres' exit is a done deal, but Atleti fans have been holding public protests at his likely departure and, according to reports, Liverpool must only agree personal terms to snare the highly-rated forward.

Whilst Benitez was reluctant to pre-empt any deal for Torres, the two-time UEFA Champions League finalist did admit the club were working hard to bring in some exciting names before the start of next season.

"All I can say is that Fernando Torres is one of the players we have looked at," said Benitez.

"Yes, [new signings are] the idea. We are working on this all the time.

"As I've already said, the spine of the team is in place and now we just need to add to that.

"Of course, you must always be excited at the start of a new season. You must also have confidence in your team and hopefully we will soon bring in the new players that we want to make the squad better."

Benitez has frequently called on the club's new owners to deliver some high-profile signings, but a parallel policy has been to bring a number of young talents to Merseyside.

Swedish midfielder Alex Kacaniklic has joined from Helsingborgs, as previously confirmed by skysports.com, and The Reds also recruited striker Marvin Purie from Borussia Dortmund on Friday.

They join teenagers Mikel San Jose, Nikolay Mihailov, Krisztian Nemeth and Andras Simon in joining the academy ranks on Merseyside.

Atletico Hint At Torres Exit

Atletico Madrid have hinted that Liverpool target Fernando Torres could leave this summer by saying his future is in his own hands.

Previous reports suggested that a £25million player-plus-cash transfer involving Luis Garcia was in the pipeline with the only obstacle being Torres' claim he is owed 10 per cent of the transfer fee - £2.5million.

However, despite the 23-year-old Spanish international being away on holiday until July 10, Atletico Madrid's chief transfer negotiator, Miguel Angel Gil Martin, has hinted that Torres could be on his way, which sparked outrage amongst the club's fans who launched a massive protest.

He said: "Nobody is indispensable. We are trying to create a competitive team and no player by himself, very good though he is, is able to make a team achieve its aims.

"Atletico are building a team that does not revolve around Fernando Torres but around the team as a whole. I would be delighted if Fernando was to continue here, but the future is going to be decided by Fernando himself.

Liverpool Snapped Bilbao Youngster

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has captured a second top European teenager inside two days, signing Mikel San Jose from Athletic Bilbao.

Just a day after Levski Sofia announced that Bulgarian international goalkeeper Nikolay Mihaylov would be joining Liverpool on a three-year deal, Bilbao confirmed that young defender San Jose was also bound for Anfield.

While Benitez and Liverpool are still locked in talks over their plans to sign Atletico Madrid's striker Fernando Torres, it is also clear the Spaniard remains committed to bolstering younger players at the club.

San Jose, 18, will move for a fee of around £270,000. Bilbao were aiming to use the youngster in their second team next season, but a club statement said: "For us it is bad news, but Mikel has decided on the choice of Liverpool and it was impossible for us to fight against a European giant."

San Jose added: "It was a surprise for me but I have decided to accept the chance at Liverpool.

"I am very excited but now I know that I have to work more each day to get in the first team."

The arrival of Mihaylov will put pressure on England squad man Scott Carson, who has been told that he will be Jose Reina's number two next season and will not be allowed out on loan again.

Mihaylov is the son of Bulgarian soccer federation chairman, Borislav Mihaylov - the former Reading keeper - and celebrates his 19th birthday on Thursday.

He has been a regular in Bulgaria's Under-21 side and has made one full international appearance. He already has Champions League experience, playing for Levski Sofia against Werder Bremen last season.

Although Benitez's only other top-line signing so far this season is Bayer Leverkusen striker Andriy Voronin on a free transfer, two young Hungarians also started training with the club on Thursday.

Krisztian Nemeth and Andras Simon are hoping to make a big impression at Anfield, and hope for first-team action within two seasons.

The teenagers were signed from MTK Budapest and 18-year-old Nemeth said: "We hope that in a year or two we can make our debut in the first team.

"I'm very happy with this, I think this is great news for our whole country. It's a big honour."

Simon, 17, added: "We want to play regular football in the reserves. We will do our best to step forward as soon as it's possible."

The pending arrival of a clutch of new youth talent at Anfield coincides with the announcement of a restructuring of the academy.

Former Ajax player Piet Hamberg was on Wednesday unveiled as the club's new academy technical manager with Under-18 coach John Owens promoted to academy manager.

The pair will work alongside Malcolm Elias, who joined Liverpool from Southampton last summer, and is in charge of recruitment.

The appointments follow the retirement of Steve Heighway after 18 years in charge of the academy.

Chief executive Rick Parry said: "Steve Heighway's departure gave us a chance to assess things and it was felt the role in charge of the academy had become too big for one person so it made sense to separate the two sides of the role.

"We wanted to bring someone in to concentrate solely on the technical side of things, on being out on the pitch coaching, while also having someone in charge of the managing of the academy.

"Steve's great strength was coaching and yet a lot of time in the role would be spent in the office. John Owens has been with us a long time and understands the system and Liverpool, while Piet will be able to concentrate on doing what he does best, which is coaching the young players."

Tevez Urged To Join Mascherano

Javier Mascherano has urged his former team-mate Carlos Tevez to join him at Liverpool.

Tevez looks certain to leave West Ham before the season starts and has been strongly linked with a move to Internazionale this summer.

The duo, who are currently playing in the Copa America tournament, signed for West Ham at the start of last season and it was Tevez' goal against Manchester United that kept the Hammers in the Premier League for the coming season.

Liverpool midfielder Mascherano believes the best move for his former team-mate would be to remain in England and make the move to Anfield.

Mascherano told the Daily Star: "It would be nice to play with Carlos again.

"Right now we are together in the Copa America and it's great.

"We'll see what is going to happen before the start of next season."

Mascherano went on to praise Tevez, and although he feels he would be a strong addition to the squad, admits the decision lies with boss Rafa Benitez.

He added: "Carlos is a great player and he could be very useful to Liverpool in my opinion.

"But the truth is that I would never dare to ask Rafa Benitez or any other coach to bring a player to a club.

"If he asked me, I would tell him my opinion, but that's the only context in which I would tell him what I think.”

LiverpooL Will Have To Let Go Crouch For Torres

Atletico Madrid have reportedly told Liverpool they will only do business over Fernando Torres if Peter Crouch comes as part of the deal.

The Daily Star claims the two clubs are £8million apart in their valuation for Spain international Torres, and while the Reds are believed to have offered Luis Garcia in part-exchange Atletico would favour the arrival of Crouch.

Officials from Anfield are apparently set to travel to Madrid this week in the hope of completing a deal for the highly-rated 23-year-old, who has also been linked with Manchester United.

Atletico coach Javier Aguirre is said to be a big fan of England star Crouch and believes the 6ft 7in frontman would be a big hit in La Liga.

However, Liverpool chief Rafa Benitez wants a pool of four top-class strikers as he bids to challenge on all fronts next season, and would prefer to lose Garcia over Crouch.

No Loan Deal For Cisse

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez says Djibril Cisse will only be allowed to leave Anfield if an interested club are prepared to finance a permanent deal.

Liverpool signed Cisse from Auxerre for a record club transfer fee of £14m in July 2004, but the 25-year-old forward spent last season on loan at Marseille.

"If another club wants him, they must buy him. We don't want another loan," Benitez told Liverpool's website.

French international Cisse has two years left on his Liverpool contract.

Cisse has broken his leg twice in the last three years, first in 2004 and then in a friendly for France against China last year just before the World Cup in Germany.

LiverpooL Set To Seal Torres Move

Liverpool are set to see off interest from Manchester United to seal the signing of Fernando Torres for a club-record £25m this week.

Reds boss Rafa Benitez has made the Atletico Madrid striker his number one transfer target this summer and looks set to get his man despite late interest in the 23-year-old from United.

It is thought the Spanish international would prefer a move to Anfield, where he would team up with fellow countrymen Benitez, Xabi Alonso and Pepe Reina, to spearhead the Reds' strike force next season.

There are reports Benitez will offer Atletico Luis Garcia or Djibril Cisse as part of the deal in order to reduce the amount Liverpool will have to fork out, although it is thought the Reds are willing to pay as much as £25m for Torres - a figure that easily eclipses the £14m spent on Cisse in the summer of 2004.

United's interest in Torres is long-standing and reports have suggested Sir Alex Ferguson now wants the forward after his bid to land Italian international Fabio Quagliarella from Sampdoria stumbled over the weekend.

Carson To Fight For Place In LiverpooL Squad

Rafael Benitez has confirmed that England under-21 goalkeeper Scott Carson will return to Liverpool next season.

Benitez loaned Carson out to Charlton Athletic for the duration of last season in order for him to experience regular first-team Premiership football.

And despite being relegated with Alan Pardew's men, the England under-21 regular was voted the club's player of the season after a string of fine performances.

Carson's stock has also risen after playing regularly for the under-21s but Benitez insists that he will not sanction the shot-stopper leaving on another season-long loan this year.

"I was speaking to Scott recently and I told him he will be part of our first-team squad next season," the Spanish tactician told Liverpool's official website.

"He must fight with Pepe Reina now for a starting place. We knew when we fought off Chelsea to sign him he was a talented goalkeeper.

"He got some good experience last season and now he is coming back to us."

Carson recently set a new record for caps won with the England under-21s when he was part of the team that were knocked out by hosts Holland in the semi-finals of the European Championships.

The 21-year-old saved one penalty in the marathon 32-kick shootout, eventually won by the Dutch 13-12.

Will LiverpooL Match The Asking Price For Torres?

Liverpool's hopes of landing Fernando Torres have hit a setback with Atletico Madrid refusing to budge from their £27million asking price.

The Spain striker, 23, has emerged as a prime target for Kop boss Rafa Benitez this summer.

However, Torres' club have insisted the star player will only leave if the buy-out clause in his contract is triggered.

The Reds are prepared to offer Luis Garcia — a former Atletico player — as a makeweight in the deal but the sides are still some distance apart in their valuation.

Benitez knows if he gives them the asking price it would blow a huge hole in his summer transfer budget.

And Liverpool sources have suggested they will not go the full way — even though they are desperate to sign a world-class goalscorer.

Yet Atletico are unlikely to climb down as they do not want to part with their prized asset despite the fact Torres has indicated he fancies a move to Anfield.

Speaking last month, president Enrique Cerezo said: "We always have the same problem.

"Every year, either at the start of the season, midway through or at the end.

"It is the same. Torres is an Atletico Madrid player and I think he is going to remain with the team for many years. He is very well at Atletico Madrid, the fans want him and we want him.

"Neither is he for sale nor do I think he is going to leave."

If the Reds fail to land Torres it would be another blow in what has been a frustrating summer for the Kop.

The millions of pounds promised by new owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks have yet to be turned into big-name signings.

Liverpool's interest in Charlton's England striker Darren Bent has also faded as they do not believe he is worthy of the £17m price tag.

Benitez hopes to off-load French striker Djibril Cisse to Bolton for around £6m.

This will free up funds to spend on West Ham & Israeli midfielder Yossi Benayoun, 27.

LiverpooL's Bid For Mancini Rejected By Roma

Roma have reportedly rejected an offer from Liverpool for Brazilian winger Amantino Mancini.

Rafael Benitez is looking to strengthen his squad for a Premiership title push next season and Mancini’s name has allegedly been included in the Coach’s summer wish list.

According to the latest reports in Italy, Liverpool made a £13m offer for the South American, but it does not seem likely that he will leave the Stadio Olimpico.

Mancini is considered as a key player by the Giallorossi outfit and Luciano Spalletti seems determined to hold on to the star, who has drawn interest from a number of clubs.

Liverpool could table an improved bid in the near future, but the capital city outfit are expected to offer the former Venezia man a contract extension, as his current deal expires in 2009.