Liverpool poised to land Dutch international on a free

Liverpool are being heavily linked with a free transfer move for Ajax full-back Urby Emanuelson.

The Dutch international defender's contract talks have broken down at the Amsterdam Arena, leaving agent Brian Berkleef to hint that the player could leave the club for free in the summer.

Roy Hodgson is thought to have targeted the 24-year-old as competition for Paul Konchesky at Liverpool, and the player's versatility as a potential left winger is also thought form part of the Merseyside club's interest.

"There are plenty of interested clubs. I won't confirm or deny any names though. However, I've told interested teams that Urby won't leave Ajax during the winter transfer window," said Berkleef.

The news means that Liverpool could sign the player for free on a pre-contract agreement in January, meaning he would move to Anfield in the summer.

Emanuelson joined the famous Ajax academy in 1994, and worked his way through the youth system before making his debut as a teenager in 2005.

Capped 11 times by Holland, the player is not short of experience with well over 200 appearances in the Eredivisie, Champions League, and Europa League.

New Liverpool owners NESV have promised the manager a transfer war chest in the region of £35 million, and Hodgson is thought to have targeted 'five or six' players for moves in the opening month of 2011.

Dutch paper De Telegraaf link a host of European clubs with a move for Emanuelson, but Liverpool are thought to be at the front of the queue for the talented player.

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