LIVERPOOL, England August 5 Sapa-AFP

Liverpool are set to sign Italy midfielder Alberto Aquilani from
Roma after agreeing a transfer fee with the Serie A club.

Anfield boss Rafa Benitez moved quickly to land Aquilani, who
will travel to Merseyside later this week for a medical, after
reluctantly selling Spain midfielder Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid for
30 million pounds.

It is believed Liverpool have agreed to pay around 20 million
pounds (50.8 million dollars) for Aquilani, who rejected interest
from Chelsea and Arsenal to join his childhood heroes Roma when he
was 16.

The 25-year-old, who has 11 caps for Italy, may take a while to
find his feet in the Premier league as he hasn't played since March
due to injury.

He made just 14 league appearances last season and had surgery
on his right ankle in May.

"Alberto is a very good player and I'm delighted we've reached
agreement with Roma for his transfer," Benitez said. "Alberto has a
winning mentality and great experience in both Serie A and the
Champions League.

"He has long been recognised as a top class talent in Italy,
captaining his country at both Under-19 and Under-21 levels before
establishing himself in the senior national side."
Benitez, currently in Norway for Wednesday's friendly with Lyn
Oslo, is working to a limited budget and had to wait until the
Alonso deal was sealed before he had the cash to fund a move for
Aquilani.

The Spaniard's only other close-season signing of note has been
England right-back Glen Johnson, who joined from Portsmouth 17
million pounds.

However, Benitez is still searching for another defender after
Sami Hyypia's departure to Bayer Leverkusen, Alvaro Arbeloa's move
to Real Madrid and injuries to Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel in
pre-season.

He could plug that gap by raiding cash-strapped Portsmouth again
for French centre-back Sylvain Distin.

smg/pi09



Source : Sapa-AFP /wb
Date : 05 Aug 2009 18:56 OrigID : LP496770