Liverpool and Espanyol have agreed a fee for
winger Albert Riera 'in excess of £8m', according to
reports.
The Reds have been hunting a left-sided midfielder but Gareth
Barry and Stewart Downing look to be out of reach.
Benitez is now pursuing Riera, 26, but any such move
would spark fury across Stanley Park as Toffees boss David Moyes
was certain he had landed the £12million-rated ace.
Riera prefers Anfield and wants to move before the
transfer deadline. Benitez is sure he can finance a deal despite
problems with the owners over his move for Barry. It would see
Liverpool make a £7.1m down-payment with up to £5m to follow.
Espanyol president Daniel Sanchez Llibre said: “Both
bids come from English clubs. If anyone wants Albert they will have
to pay what we want.” If ex-Manchester City ace Riera snubs
Everton, it will be a blow to Moyes, who has only signed Danish
defender Lars Christian Jacobsen on a free this summer.
Moyes yesterday assured the Toffees he will sign a
fresh deal. Riera will now need to agree terms with Liverpool and
pass a medical but he could be a Reds player in time for Sunday's
clash with Aston Villa.
