Reds set for £8m move

Rafa Benitez hopes to entice West Ham centre-back Matthew Upson to Anfield this summer.

The Liverpool boss is looking to boost his defensive options and has earmarked the England international centre-back as the man to do the job.

With West Ham United struggling this term, the 31-year-old former Arsenal man is looking to leave the east London side in the hopes of furthering this hopes of a regular spot in Fabio Capello's England starting eleven. Upson made noises about wanting to make a move to a Champions League level club last summer and a move to Man City was mooted until the Eastlands side opted to bring in Joleon Lescott and Kolo Toure.

With Anfield owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett confirming their intention to sell the club Rafa will be hoping to get some financial backing in the transfer market this summer to help the club improve on what has thus far been a very poor season.

If Rafa is not able to get sufficient funds from any prospective new owners then he will have to offload players from his under-performing squad to fund such transfers. The likes of Albert Riera, Ryan Babel and Yossi Benayoun have all been linked with moves away from Anfield this summer and could help hand Benitez the necessary cash.

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