LIVERPOOL: Liverpool moved closer to signing England winger Stewart Downing from Aston Villa after the two Premier League clubs agreed a fee late on Wednesday.
Former Middlesbrough favourite Downing, 26, has been a long-term target for the Reds and talks can now begin with the player.
Liverpool said in a statement on their website: “Liverpool have now been granted permission to discuss personal terms with the player and arrange a medical.”
Villa had rejected bids of £12 million ($19.3 million) and £15 million ($24.2 million) from Liverpool and manager Alex McLeish said he wanted Downing to stay in the Midlands.
Liverpool’s latest offer, which has not been disclosed by either club, is understood to be worth £20 million ($32 million) and that would be a figure to tempt Villa given Downing has only two years left on his contract and is on record as saying he would not sign an extension with the Birmingham side.
Should Downing go to Anfield, he would become Liverpool’s third high-profile midfield pre-season signing following the arrival of Jordan Henderson from Sunderland and Charlie Adam from Blackpool.
Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish will leave the team’s Malaysia tour early and return to England on Thursday to finalise the signing. (Agencies)
