Liverpool Optimistic About Signing Henrikh Mkhitaryan

Liverpool is increasingly optimistic about signing Shakhtar Donetsk's £22m-rated midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan while uncertainty continues over the futures of Luis Suárez and Andy Carroll.

Brendan Rodgers has made the Armenian international a prime target as he seeks to inject "an extra 20 goals" into his team next season, having already agreed a £7.6m deal for the Celta Vigo striker Iago Aspas.

Shakhtar's chief executive, Sergey Palkin, said last weekend that there had been no official contact with Liverpool about Mkhitaryan, 24, who scored a record 25 goals in the Ukrainian premier league last season, but an approach is believed to have been made and Anfield officials are hopeful about concluding the signing.

Carroll's reluctance to accept a £15m move to West Ham has had an impact on Liverpool's immediate transfer plans while Suárez has not handed in a transfer request despite his frequent claims of discontent with life in England. But Liverpool is nevertheless proceeding with the pursuit of the coveted Mkhitaryan.

Liverpool Linked With Galatasaray's Nordin Amrabat

Liverpool have been linked with Galatasaray winger Nordin Amrabat following recent comments by the players agent Barry Thomas.

"We're aware of the interest from the Premier League," Thomas told Sky Sports.

"But he's contracted to Galatasaray and although tighter restrictions on foreign players in the Turkish league mean he could be available, his future very much depends on Galatasaray."

Despite Amrabat being happy at Galatasaray, the Lions are facing pressure as competition for foreign spaces increase.

The Turkish Football Federation only permits six foreign players on the field at any one time and the Istanbul based club currently has eight non-Turkish players on their books.

The Reds have been scouting Galatasaray throughout the season and have kept tabs on Amrabat, Semih Kaya, Burak Yilmaz and Selçuk İnan.

Liverpool have been linked with a number of wingers including Christian Atsu, Luis Alberto and Nacer Chadli as Brendan Rodgers looks to boost Liverpool's attacking options for the beginning of next season.

Amrabat joined Galatasaray from Kayserispor for €8.6 million last season and has four years left on his contract.

The 26-year-old Moroccan international scored once and provided 10 assists in 43 games last season including three assists in 10 Champions League appearances.

Reds And Palace Eye Chelsea Youngster

Liverpool FC are being linked with a loan move for Brazilian forward Lucas Piazon.

The 19-year-old signed for Chelsea from Sao Paulo in 2011 but has made just one Premier League appearance for the Stamford Bridge side, missing a penalty against Aston Villa in his team's 8-0 win.

He was on loan at Malaga in the second half of last season and Brendan Rodgers will be hoping that his past alliance with Jose Mourinho will enable him to do business.

Iago Aspas Move Blocked By Spanish Football Federation

Liverpool’s signing of Iago Aspas is being blocked by the Spanish Football Federation in a legal row over the player’s representation.

And according to emails seen by MirrorSport, Kop managing director Ian Ayre continued to negotiate with unauthorized agents over the deal even after discovering that he was not dealing with the player’s official FIFA-licensed representatives.

Aspas has a representation agreement with Jorge Santome and Carmelo Vicente until 2014, but attempted to force through a move to Anfield by enlisting the help of Barcelona-based agency PromoEsport.

As exclusively reported by the Daily Mirror last week, wrangling over the deal was holding up the finalization of the transfer, and Celta Vigo and the Spanish Federation are now so furious at the conduct of Ayre, Liverpool and PromoEsport that they are refusing to release Aspas’ International Transfer Certificate (ITC).

This means that although the 25-year-old could be presented as a Reds player and even train with the side, while the RFEF refuse to release the ITC the player cannot feature in any official matches for the Reds.

Santome and Vicente are now taking action against PromoEsport through the Spanish Federation, backed by Celta Vigo and several other La Liga clubs who are angry with PromoEsport’s conduct.

The agency, which on their website claims to represent another Liverpool target, Barcelona’s Luis Alberto, is banned from the Celta training ground and used the player’s brother to present the offer to the Galician club in order to hide their involvement.

A Liverpool spokesman said: “There was a complication with the paperwork. For the deal to be completed both FAs have to release the paperwork and we are waiting for that to happen. However, we are confident that will be done shortly.”

Iago Aspas Insists He's No Suarez Replacement

Liverpool’s new signing Iago Aspas insists he wants to play alongside Luis Suarez.

With the future of the Uruguayan unclear after he declared he wanted to leave Anfield, the £7m spent on 25-year-old striker Aspas was seen as good business should Suarez decide to leave.

But Aspas has stressed that he is coming to Liverpool to strengthen the side, not as a replacement.

“I am excited to be going to England,” he said in the Mirror. “I want to play in the Premier League. And I hope I will be helped to settle there by all the Spanish speakers at the club, including Luis Suarez.

“Liverpool is one of the biggest clubs in the world and I am going there to take an important step in my career, not to be a replacement for anyone.

“I think it is time for me to take the next step in my career and Liverpool can help me do that. I have confidence in my ability to move forward and to grow as a player.

“I described the move as emotional for me because it is such a big club and it means I’ve reached another level. But I am calm because I feel I am ready. I want to show that I am capable of playing at the level of this huge club.”

Suarez Not Thinking About Leaving

Wantaway striker Luis Suarez says all is focus is on his country for now.

The 26-year-old has spoken of his desire to leave Merseyside to go somewhere where he is more valued.

He is currently at the Confederations Cup and good displays there could entice clubs to come in for him, but he insists that is not his main aim.

"I've come to the Confederations Cup with my mind on Uruguay and not thinking about how it can help me with a transfer,” he told Skysports.

“My only goal is to win the trophy.”

Suarez is currently serving a ten-match domestic ban in England for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic, and he added:

"I have done things wrong, but I have recognized my mistakes and apologized. Obviously I would love to be valued more for my performances and not for one-off incidents.

"For example, I am proud to be just one goal away from drawing level with my country's top goalscorer, (Diego) Forlan, and long may he continue to hold that record. If I do break it, I will be humble in my celebrations."

Lucas: Suarez Exit Would Be A Great Loss

Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva admits it would be a "great loss" if Luis Suarez left Anfield this summer.

The Uruguay international has publicly expressed his desire to quit the Premier League after suggesting negative press coverage surrounding his controversies has had an impact on his private life.

Suarez, who scored 30 goals in all competitions for Liverpool last season, also claimed it would be a "dream" to secure a move to Real Madrid.

"Luis Suarez has influenced many matches for us, and is a player, if he leaves, who would be a great loss," Lucas told Radio Grenal.

The Brazil international insists he is content with his own future at Liverpool but concedes Brendan Rodgers' side will not be considered favourites to win the Premier League title next season.

"It's been six years and I am very happy at Liverpool," he continued.

"If I fulfil my contract until the end, would be 11 years at Liverpool. Here in Europe I feel more complete than when I arrived at the club. I have evolved a lot with the coaches who have passed through here.

"The favourites to win the Premier League title are [Manchester] City, United, Chelsea, Arsenal and even Tottenham."

Arsenal May Renew Interest In Reina

With the summer transfer window set to open, there is plenty of gossip doing the rounds in the newspapers so we’ll keep you up-to-date with the latest transfer rumours. Today, Arsenal may turn to Pepe Reina after Victor Valdes confirmed he won’t leave Barca this summer.

Arsenal may renew their interest in Liverpool’s Pepe Reina after Victor Valdes confirmed he intends to see out the remaining year of his contract with Barcelona, according to the Daily Mail.

The Spanish goalkeeper has been at the Nou Camp his entire professional career but looked set to end his association with the Catalans after revealing he won’t be renewing his contract – which expires in 12 months time.

The Mail claim Arsenal have been strongly linked with a move for the 31-year-old with boss Arsene Wenger understood to be on the look-out for an experienced stopper to push Wojciech Szczesny for the number one jersey at the Emirates Stadium next season.

However, the Gunners will have to wait another year if they want to land Valdes after Barcelona President Sandro Rosell confirmed the keeper had informed the club he will stay and see out the last year of his contract.

If Wenger is intent on bringing in a new keeper this summer he will now have to go for other targets with the Mail suggesting Liverpool’s Pepe Reina and Sunderland’s Simon Mignolet could now be on his radar. The Gunners have been strongly linked with a move for the Spaniard in the past and the report claims the north Londoners may renew their interest following the news on Valdes’ decision to remain in Spain for another season.

Mignolet is thought to be keen for a move this summer to boost his chances of playing for Belgium at the 2014 World Cup and could be available for around £8m according to the newspaper, but ironically Liverpool are also in the hunt for the 25-year-old so it will be interesting to see how this goalkeeper merry-go-round pans out over the coming weeks.

Final West Ham Talks With Andy Carroll Set

West Ham co-owner David Gold has promised two major signings up front as final talks with Andy Carroll move closer.

The on-loan Liverpool player is due back from holiday and will hold talks next week with a view to finalizing a £15.5million deal.

And Gold, confident the deal is going to happen, reassured his Twitter followers they would be signing a top-notch name to play alongside him.

“Yes, we will,” he tweeted. “We must bring in two quality strikers.”

Rodgers Keen To Expand Thin Liverpool Squad

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is looking forward to bulking out the number of players in his squad in order to have "a proper go" at the FA Cup and Capital One Cup.

The Reds are close to signing Celta Vigo forward Iago Aspas, in addition to securing Kolo Toure as a free agent, as they begin a busy summer, the boss's goal to expand on the "paper-thin" playing staff of 2012-13.

The Northern Irishman pointed to the impact of January signings Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge as proof of the revitalizing effect of additional players.

Rodgers told reporters: "This time, we'll certainly give the Capital One Cup and the FA Cup a proper go - we have a much better squad to do that.

"We had a paper-thin squad last year, we had kids all the way through. Obviously those players who have come in [in January] have added quality and it's no coincidence that we have kicked on when we've had quality in the group.

"We need to improve the group and the depth but that's what gives me great hope for the summer. If we can add that, we can make a real start and then we're ready to challenge.

"You can flip it about but it's the depth, really. We just need to build up the depth of the squad. I want to have people who might be disappointed because they're not even on the bench. At the minute we probably don't have that so it's competition we want to get.

"I don't want a massive group; we want a tight group with a real core of 17 or 18 players who feel they should always be playing and then supported by a few of our top young talents."

Sevilla Keen To Negotiate With Liverpool On Rakitic's Move

La Liga outfit Sevilla are reportedly willing to negotiate with Liverpool over the transfer of Ivan Rakitic, it has emerged.

The Spanish side had a poor season this year, finishing 9th in La Liga, and are expecting to face the departures of some key players, having already sold winger Jesus Navas to Manchester City for £14.9million. They could also receive a number of offers for top scorer Alvaro Negredo, who is a target for Atletico Madrid.

Rakitic is another of Sevilla’s more impressive players, and has found himself on Liverpool’s radar after scoring 8 goals and providing 10 assists this season. Only big names from the top two, such as Andres Iniesta, Lionel Messi, Mesut Ozil, Cesc Fabregas, Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo, have created more goals for their team-mates in Spain this year.

Brendan Rodgers was reportedly ready to open with a £12million bid for the Croatian, who has been compared with Luka Modric, and although Sevilla are willing to sell, they may hold out for closer to £16million.

Liverpool will be determined to strengthen their squad this summer after only managing to finish 7th in the Premier League this season. Rodgers has been quoted as saying he believes his team can break into the top four, but he sees his midfield as an area that is in particular need of strengthening before he can do that.

The Reds have arguably lacked a high quality playmaker since Xabi Alonso left the club for Real Madrid in 2009. The Spaniard was one of the best midfielders in England during his time at Anfield, and has proven hard to replace. The likes of Alberto Aquilani, Charlie Adam and Joe Allen have since been brought in to fulfill this role, but all have flopped at the club.

It is thought that Allen will be sold this summer, possibly to newly-promoted Cardiff City, and Rakitic is seen as the ideal player to give Rodgers’ side more creativity from the middle of the park.

Alonso has also been linked with a return from Real Madrid, though he now seems likely to stay at the Bernabeu after committing his future to the club. Chelsea have also shown an interest in the 31-year-old.

Rakitic himself has said he is flattered by Liverpool’s interest, and has suggested he is unhappy with the direction Sevilla are taking after their apparent willingness to offload key players. Although the club will hold out for the right offer, they do not wish to keep an unhappy player.

Liverpool will now consider whether or not to meet Sevilla’s asking price.

Arsenal And Liverpool Fight For Portugal International.

Diario De Noticias have reported that Liverpool and Arsenal are both interested in signing Sporting Lisbon goalkeeper Rui Patricio, but they will need to increase their bids to land the Portugal international.

Both clubs would want to bring the 25 year old to England in the summer transfer window.

However it is claimed by DN that Liverpool and Arsenal are only prepared to pay €5m for the player whilst Sporting Lisbon is holding out for double this.

It has been well documented by the Portuguese media in recent weeks that Sporting Lisbon has massive debts after another poor financial year and is looking to off load their highest earners in the next transfer window.

The Lisbon club will want to get as much as possible for their star goalkeeper but they may have to sell the player on the cheap to either of the Premier League sides.

It has been reported the club need to raise €32m to ease their financial situation which therefore leaves Liverpool and Arsenal in a strong position.

Speculation has surrounded Liverpool and Arsenal in recent months with regards to their goalkeeping situation, meaning the two clubs looking at Patricio with interest makes sense.

Pepe Renia is being linked heavily with a move back to his former team Barcelona and Arsenal don't seem to be sure who their number one goalkeeper is.

If Liverpool and Arsenal plan to makes changes in the summer then Patricio comes with plenty of international experience with the Portuguese national team.

He has made 23 appearances for Portugal since he made his debut in November 2010 and was the first choice keeper at the 2012 European Championship.

He also comes with a lot of European football experience including the Champions League.

Due to Sporting Lisbon’s debt issues this isn’t the first player Liverpool have been linked with in the past month from the Portuguese side.

Only last week there was speculation they could be going back in for long term target Jeffren and recently the club were told they would need to increase their bid to land young defender Tiago Ilori.

Patricio for a knock-down fee could turn out to be one of the bargains of the summer.

Liverpool Make Mignolet Their Top Target

Liverpool hope to sign Sunderland goalkeeper Simon Mignolet for £8million in the next week.

The Merseyside club have bid £7m but the Wearsiders are holding out for nearer £10m, with the clubs likely to reach a compromise.

Manager Brendan Rodgers has taken the initiative as speculation continues to link his current No 1 Pepe Reina with a switch to Barcelona, where Victor Valdes is refusing to sign a new deal.

Valdes has just a year left on his contract and is tipped for a move to Monaco, who are making a push to acquire Europe’s top talent under the ownership of Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev.

On a day when Liverpool were moved to brand an email reputedly sent by managing director Ian Ayre — suggesting Luis Suarez would soon sign for Real Madrid — a ‘complete fake’, Rodgers set out plans to improve his squad.

He said: ‘We need to build up the depth. I want to have people who might be disappointed because they’re not even on the bench. At the minute we don’t have that so it’s competition we want to get.

‘I don’t want a massive group. We want a tight group with a real core of 17 or 18 players who feel they should always be playing and then supported by a few of our top young talents. We haven’t got that. We have one or two on the sidelines but we need more than that.’

Belgium goalkeeper Mignolet is anxious to raise his profile ahead of next year’s World Cup in Brazil.

Mignolet is under pressure for his place in the national side from Chelsea’s Thibaut Courtois, who has been allowed to go on loan again to Atletico Madrid.

The greater exposure he will receive at Anfield is a big factor in Mignolet’s desire to quit the North East. He has proved himself one of the best performers in the Premier League since joining from St-Truiden for £800,000 three years ago.

Aston Villa insist they are not concerned that another Belgium star, Christian Benteke, is yet to sign the new contract he was offered at the end of the season.

Talks have taken place with the striker and his agents but Villa are relaxed about the impasse after receiving word from Arsenal and Tottenham — two reported suitors — that Benteke is not on their summer shopping lists.

Everton And Liverpool Suffer Setback In Bid For Striker

Everton and Liverpool have both been dealt a huge blow in their efforts to sign Wigan Athletic front man Arouna Kone after the Ivorian committed his future to the Championship outfit, reports the Metro.

The Ivory Coast international has been the subject of intense speculation of late linking the 29-year-old with a move to either Goodison Park or Anfield when the summer transfer window finally reopens once again for business on July 1.

The striker enjoyed an excellent debut campaign at the DW stadium in the previous season, having joined the Latics from Liga outfit Levante for just 3.5 million Euros on a three-year contract in Aug 2012.

Kone netted 13 goals in his 38 appearances in all competitions for the struggling Premier League club, including 11 strikes in his 34 top-flight contests, although his goals were still not enough to keep Wigan from being relegated to the Championship.

And now the player has insisted that he is happy at Wigan: “I have a contract until 2015 with Wigan and I settled very well there. It is a brilliant community football club. The chairman is fantastic.

“Yes, I want to be playing in the Premier League but it also depends on Wigan because I have a contract with them.

“Everton? Just because the gaffer is in charge makes the link stronger but, to be honest, I don’t know what will happen. After the international games I will know more.”

Real Madrid Waiting To Deal Suarez Deal

Real Madrid are wavering in their confidence of signing Liverpool ace Luis Suarez - and are already making back-up plans so they aren't left short of strikers.

The Spanish giants are poised to sell Gonzalo Higuain, who also attracted interest from Arsenal and Tottenham, to Juventus for £18.7m.

But that seal won't go through until an agreement is made with Liverpool for Suarez, according to Spanish newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Carlo Ancelotti, who is due to be named as Madrid boss shortly, is adamant that he wants to sign another centre forward to compete with Karim Benzema.

Suarez is their No.1 target and he's expressed a desire to move to the Bernabeu.

But Liverpool are playing hard-ball and say they won't sell their prized asset.

It means Higuain's future is hanging in the balance too, as that deal won't be made official until Madrid's signing of Suarez is set in stone.

Liverpool Handed Transfer Boost Amid Interest In Youngster

Liverpool have been handed a boost in their hopes of keeping midfielder Suso after the Spaniard declared his intention to remain on Merseyside.

Suso enjoyed his breakthrough season for the Reds in the 2012-13 campaign, graduating from the club's youth set up into the senior team as Brendan Rodgers experimented with his midfield options.

The Spain Under 21 international will no doubt be the subject of exit rumours this summer after he produced a series of impressive performances beyond his tender age of 19, but Suso insists he's happy to stay at Liverpool no matter who comes knocking for his signature.

"This year for me has been beyond fantastic," he told Marca. "At Liverpool this season has been great and I'm very happy.

"Next year I'll probably stay at Liverpool. I know there are quite a few offers but I will not go. I'm happy at Liverpool."

Brendan Rodgers will certainly be pleased that one of the youngsters he had faith in last season is committed to the club for the long-term.

While the manager having to deal with continued comments from striker Luis Suarez saying he wants to leave the club, to hear from a younger player that there is potential to stay will give his plans for the future an extra boost.

Rodgers insisted this week that the club would be capable of qualifying for the 2014-15 Champions League if they have a successful summer, both in terms of keeping their best talent and bringing in players who can improve the cause.

"I'm not here to be comfortable and sit and earn the money and just enjoy being the Liverpool manager," he told reporters. "I think we can do but it will be a tough ask because as we improve other clubs will have masses more money to improve also.

"But I believe we have built a real good base this year. It's not my job to look for excuses, I have to find the solutions to try and push us in there and I believe we won't be too far away."

With youngsters such as Jordon Ibe, Adam Morgan and Conor Coady all looking to step up into the first team on a regular basis too, a good summer transfer window will give Rodgers a lot of choice as he tinkers with his starting line-up next season.

Barcelona Plot Move For Liverpool Star

Barcelona is being linked with a move for Liverpool defender Daniel Agger.

The Daily Star cite sources in Spain when claiming that the 28-year-old Danish international centre back is on the Blaugrana radar, and could leave Anfield for £12.7million.

Tito Vilanova still has money to spend this summer, according to the paper, despite the addition of Brazilian sensation Neymar for a fee in the region of £50million.

Agger would certainly add strength to the backline at the Nou Camp, and also fits the passing style Barcelona like to play in Catalonia.

Brendan Rodgers will be desperate to keep hold of the former Brondby star mind you, with the Reds already stretched in defence following veteran Jamie Carragher’s retirement.

The Liverpool boss currently has Agger, Martin Skrtel and Sebastian Coates as the only senior options available, and the Dane’s exit would leave the Merseysiders in serious trouble at the back.

However, Barca has Champions League football to offer the player, and an offer to join the La Liga champions would be difficult for any player to turn down if it came.

Zenit Offer Suarez Quick Exit

Russian giants Zenit St. Petersburg are set to offer Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez a quick escape from his Liverpool hell.

The mega-wealthy club, managed by Luciano Spalletti, secured a Champions League qualifying spot last season after they finished second in the Russian championship behind CSKA Moscow.

Suarez, who is desperate to leave Liverpool after a controversial season in which he was banned for 10 matches for biting Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic, is keen to play Champions League football and Zenit would offer him that.

The club also sees Suarez as the ideal replacement for Brazilian Hulk, who looks set to leave the club after a disappointing season where he notched just seven goals in 16 league games.

A source close to Liverpool said Suarez's reputation makes him a bigger risk for some of Europe's elite, but a club with limitless wealth is more likely to take the risk.

"Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are the two front-runners but will they fork out £40 million+ on a player who gets banned for at least six games a season? Money doesn't matter to Zenit."

Ukraine captain Anatoliy Tymoshchuk recently confirmed he is returning to Zenit this summer after a four-year spell with Bayern Munich.

Coady Confident Of Squad Focus

England Under-20s captain Conor Coady has emphasized the squad are heading into their World Cup campaign "focused" and eager to do their best.

The group of 21 players, overseen by Peter Taylor, travel to Turkey on Wednesday for the tournament, in which they will play Group E fixtures against Iraq on June 23, Chile on June 26 and Egypt on June 29.

Their flight comes a day after Stuart Pearce saw his England Under-21s round off a miserable European Championship campaign in Israel with a 1-0 defeat to the hosts.

The Under-21s lost all three of their matches in the competition and Pearce has suggested his players did not work hard enough.

The Under-20s will be hoping their own efforts over the coming weeks can help lift the mood currently surrounding England's youth set-up, and midfielder Coady told FATV: "We're focused going into the tournament and the team can't wait for it, to go and do the best we can.

"The training camps have been fantastic for getting all the boys together and working on how we want to play when we go out there.

"We just want to get out there now and start the tournament."

The Under-21s' poor showing in Israel has prompted plenty of talk about the make-up of Pearce's squad, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Phil Jones and Danny Welbeck all absent from it after being called up to the seniors for friendlies.

Squad composition was also a hot topic in 2011 when a host of players picked by England for that year's Under-20s World Cup - which took place later in the summer than this one - were subsequently withdrawn by their clubs.

Regarding the group for this year's tournament, though, Taylor has stressed he is taking a "good squad" that he is "really happy" with.

The 60-year-old, who has had two spells in charge of England Under-21s, managed the seniors as a caretaker for one game and was confirmed as Under-20s head coach for the World Cup in March, said: "I've been really pleased with everybody and we're going to take a good squad out to Turkey.

"Overall, I'm really happy with the players that are getting on that plane.

"We've got different types of player and the type who can ask a question of an opponent so I'm looking forward to it."

Liverpool's Coady skippers a party which features the likes of fellow midfielders Ross Barkley of Everton and Gael Bigirimana of Newcastle, and Tottenham striker Harry Kane.

Coady, 20, previously captained England's Under-17s to the European Championship title in 2010 and has also played for the Under-16s, Under-18s and Under-19s.

Leeds defender Sam Byram yesterday withdrew from Taylor's squad due to injury, with Everton full-back Luke Garbutt being named as his replacement.

Iago Aspas All Set For Liverpool Move

Iago Aspas is set to complete his move to Liverpool today after undergoing a medical.

Celta Vigo forward Aspas, 25, has cancelled a Caribbean holiday to ensure the £7.2 million deal goes through this week and arrived on Merseyside last night.

He told Spanish sports paper Marca: "When I heard of Liverpool’s interest I did not hesitate even for a minute.

"(Liverpool) is one of the biggest clubs in the world and although I had offers from Italy and Portugal and other countries I decided my future was in English football.

"I hope I will get help from (Jose) Reina, Suso, Dani Pacheco, Luis Suarez, (Philippe) Coutinho, Lucas Leiva and Jose Enrique,' added Aspas.”I'm calm, but at the same time I'm very emotional about taking such an important step in my career."

Aspas is set to be joined at Anfield by Sevilla’s Luis Alberto who is expected to complete a £5m move by the end of the week.