According to his agent and indeed this source, Benitez still wants this Spanish left-sided flair player, but is the price still just too damn high?!

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Espanyol are set to continue their hardline stance over Albert Riera – and insist Liverpool meet his £16m release clause.
The Spanish club are aware that Rafael Benitez has money to spend after the Gareth Barry deal was blocked by the owners, who were unwilling to go to £18m for that particular player.
But with Benitez in the market for a left-sided player to bolster his squad, Riera has re-emerged as one of the possibilities he is weighing up.
Liverpool considered making an offer in June when Riera hinted he wanted to leave the La Liga club after hitting out at their supporters.
But Benitez was unwilling to enter a bidding war for the 26-year-old then – valuing the player at closer to the £9m mark.
If Espanyol can’t be persuaded to lower their asking price he will walk away from the deal and look elsewhere, as time runs out to strengthen his wide areas before the closure of the transfer window.
“Liverpool want Riera but Liverpool are reluctant to meet Espanyol’s demands,” Riera’s agent Magico Diaz confirmed.
Earlier in the summer he said: “If Espanyol do finally receive an offer I do not want to miss the opportunity to go to Liverpool. The option to join a super-club doesn’t come every day. I am a realistic person but this has given me something to look forward to.
“To reject the possibility of a move would be madness.” (Daily Post)

As the Gareth Barry deal appears to be one that may well be dead in the water, the La Liga club will of course keep to their valuation thinking that Rafa may use the cash at his disposal on the Spanish international. However Benitez is no fool, he can see the valuation placed by Barcelona’s ‘lesser’ club is way too high.

Liverpool are very keen on more wide players such as Riera, but they won’t be held to ransom. Riera is a very good player, with a good turn of speed and pings in good crosses. However, for that price the Anfield outfit would expect a much more exciting and productive player. Do Liverpool fans think their boss should even consider such a bid or are there far better options to secure with such a high bid?

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