Benitez gets ready to offer big money to Italian international.

CHELSEA V AS ROMA

Liverpool are closing in on an agreement for Roma midfield ace Alberto Aquilani.

Il Messaggero says Aquilani’s minders are on the brink of striking terms with Liverpool over a move to Anfield.

With Xabi Alonso handing in a written transfer demand today, Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez will step up his pursuit of Aquilani as a direct replacement.

And Gazzetta dello Sport says Liverpool will offer £17 million for the Italy international, who could move to England on a five-year deal worth £2.5 million-a-season. (Gazzetta dello Sport as reported on tribalfootball.com)

Now that’s more like it. I think Aquilani would be a very able replacement for Xabi Alonso and given the noises coming from the Italian side, it does look like a very real possiblity. It is important that Rafa insists he is given the lions share of any player sales cash to re-invest otherwise we come off like a side who can’t really compete.

I still would prefer Wesley Sneijder and surely he is likely to be warming the bench at the Bernabeu given recent additions to the Real Madrid squad.

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