by LFCFan4Life » Wed Jan 12, 2005 3:12 am
Barclays Premieship Official Website also reports the same thing:
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has confirmed he is on the brink of completing the £6m signing of Real Madrid star Fernando Morientes.
The Anfield chief, having just witnessed his side's fortunate Carling Cup semi-final first leg victory over Watford, was happy to reveal the imminent arrival of the 28-year-old striker.
Morientes has agreed a four-year contract and Benitez hopes he will have the signing completed in time for the Spanish international to make his debut in the Saturday lunch-time Anfield showdown with Manchester United.
Benitez has been chasing Morientes for weeks, but said: ``I hope we can complete the deal in time for him to play on Saturday.
``We are very close, it could be just a matter of hours. I am not sure exactly how far the talks have gone, but I believe we have an agreement and I want the deal completed as soon possible.''
Claims that French club Lyon had attempted to hijack the deal during the day with a higher bid than Liverpool had put in have proved unfounded. Morientes is believed to have told Benitez that if was not going to be allowed to fulfil his dream of moving to Anfield, then he would prefer to stay at the Bernabeu.
Liverpool expect to complete the final details of the move on Wednesday and Benitez confirmed: ``We are ready with the medical and I hope the player is here very soon.''
You'll Never Walk Alone drummerphil