Liverpool consider £9.5m La Liga giant

Rafa Benitez is reportedly interested in signing Valencia's towering forward Nikola Zigic this summer.

The Liverpool boss is hoping to pip fellow Premier League outfit Aston Villa to the attacker and may offer Anfield flop Albert Rieira as part of any deal.

The 6ft 7in forward spent last season warming the bench at the Mestalla after completing a successful loan spell at Racing Santander the previous term. Even though Valencia have finally given in and sold prized asset David Villa to Barcelona, Zigic is still unlikely to be part of Unai Emery's long-term plans.

The 29-year-old has had a mixed time in Spain since he first arrived in the country from Red Star Belgrade where he was something of a goal machine. Although over two metres tall, Zigic is still very adept with the ball at his feet and Benitez apparently sees the Serbian international as a good strike partner for Fernando Torres.

Valued between £8-10m, Zigic would no doubt welcome a move to the Premier League and Rafa will hope that the glamour of a move to Merseyside may help them snare the forward ahead of their midlands rivals.

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.