Liverpool want Uruguay defender

Liverpool are prepared to pay £17.5m to bring Uruguay defender Alvaro Pereira to Anfield as the solution to their left-back problem.

Manager Kenny Dalglish is keen to recruit a left-back ahead of the new season following severe shortages in that department throughout the last campaign.

His first choice target Gael Clichy opted for a move to Manchester Ctiy and the Merseysiders have since been linked with a host of top players to fill the position including Lyon's Aly Cissokho, Newcastle's Jose Enrique and Hamburg's Marcell Jansen.

However, according to reports in Portuguese newspaper ABola, Liverpool are 'willing to pay' Porto the €20m (£17.5m) buy-out clause in Pereira's contract to ensure the move happens.

The 25-year-old is regarded as one of the finest wing-backs in football and was instrumental in Porto's treble success last season.

He has been one of the star's of Uruguay's Copa America charge this summer, scoring twice and helping his country to the final.

Meanwhile, Liverpool appear set to offload a number of fringe players as Dalglish looks to trim the size of his squad.

Serbian winger Milan Jovanovic seems certain for the Anfield exit and is reportedly in discussions with Belgian club Anderlecht to end his short time in England.

Argentinean defender Emiliano Insua also appears set to leave Liverpool while midfielder Joe Cole has also been linked with a move away to either Tottenham or newly promoted QPR.

Source: Sportsvibe.co.uk

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