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Rivals to seal Toffees target deal
Everton, 09:08, August 26, 2008 ,
Liverpool are set to win the race to sign Espanyol's Spanish winger Albert Riera despite rivals Everton offering the full asking price.
Reds boss Rafa Benitez has been chasing the 26-year-old international left-sided midfielder after failing to land Aston Villa's Gareth Barry and being given a stern hands off warning by Middlesbrough following rumours linking Stewart Downing with a move to Anfield.
However, the Reds are struggling to sign Riera because they have only offered £9million for the player, who spent six months on loan at Manchester City in 2006, while Espanyol are asking for around £12million.
In the mean time, Toffees boss David Moyes has reportedly offered the full asking price for the player in an effort to lure him to the other side of Stanley Park. But with Riera desperate for a move to the Reds, Benitez will get his man if he ups his initial offer by around £3million.
Espanyol president Daniel Sanchez Llibre said: "We have received two interesting offers, both of which are from English clubs. What we always do is defend our interests. We won't sell any player if the bid is not the amount we have asked for.
"If they want Albert Riera, they'll have to pay what Espanyol is asking."
Espanyol sporting director Paco Herrera, a former member of Benitez's backroom staff at Liverpool, added in the Daily Post: "There is a team which is offering what we have asked and another one which isn't, but the player is interested in the one which is offering the least. We will not lower our asking price."