Liverpool are set to sign England right-back Glen Johnson after confirming they have reached an agreement with both the player and his club Portsmouth.
The Reds have been linked with the defender for a number of weeks while Pompey executive chairman Peter Storrie claimed last week Johnson's former club Chelsea were willing to pay £18million for the 24-year-old.
And a statement from the club said: "Liverpool FC confirmed this evening that they had reached an agreement with Portsmouth Football Club and with Glen Johnson for the transfer of the player to Anfield."
Johnson enjoyed arguably his best season in the Premier League last term as he established himself as England's first-choice right-back and attracted the interest of bigger clubs.
Storrie admitted last week that there was every chance Johnson could leave Fratton Park this summer, especially with the size of the fee being talked about.
Rafael Benitez has not spoken of his interest in Johnson - many Reds fans would prefer him to reinforce his squad in other areas - but Johnson's impending arrival would seem to suggest Alvaro Arbeloa will be sold to Real Madrid sooner rather than later.
Johnson's first crack at the big time fizzled out when, after joining Chelsea from West Ham in 2003, he struggled to secure a regular first-team place and was loaned to Portsmouth before making the move permanent in 2007.
Storrie said last week: "Glen has obviously had a fantastic season season for us and has established himself as one of the best right-backs in the league if not the country at the moment.
"I've known Glen for a long time since his West Ham days so when I re-signed him we talked it over and he asked if one of the big four clubs, who were in the Champions League, came in for him would we stand in his way of a move.
"I said that I couldn't do that provided the deal is good for Portsmouth and for Glen."
Your Comments
mufc73
"WealthyB - agreed. No pun taken either!"
WealthyB
"mufc what with calling me "darling" in one post and asking me how do I want it on multiple occasions, is there something you're trying to ask me? I may be wealthy but I'm not a meal ticket :-)
Seriously tho, the Net Spend argument is moot. You know, we all know, Utd had a title winning team in place before Rafa arrived. So can we put this one to bed please? (no pun intended)"
weepyking
"I noticed that mufc73 after I posted, apologies."
mufc73
"Sorry Weepy, I do apologise for the Ben Foster gaff, but you will find that I do mention Campbell."
mufc73
"Sorry WealthyB but the point I want to make is, you wanty to view the argument one way when its to your advantage (i.e. Liverpool don't spend the same on players that United do), but another way when it goes against you (but everton have won nothing) quite right they haven't but they knocked you out the FA cup last season! So, my question is wealthy, how do you want it?"
WealthyB
"IKMK1 excellent post, I would only be repeating what you said if I retorted also. and also recognising that neither team has been buzzing with youth for a long while, if I may be humble maybe I could have acknowledged that too but when I'm listening to gems like "Nani is not as good as we thought he would be" and other tripe, well it's easy in the sunshine to get a little "bitey" as some folk on here might say."
weepyking
"Good comeback. You answered all points with great knowledge and respect. You are a good boy."
WealthyB
"oooh more NETS SPEND arguments again when we've been through this already...
I apologise, you're not a moron, you were just cursed with the attention span of a goldfish :-)"
mufc73
"IKMK1 - thankyou for a balanced view of how things stand. As always its a pleasure to read your posts even if I dont always agree with them. And to add a bit of balance to my views, might I add how delighted I am that RBS have agreed to re-finance Liverpool's debt which, I think, I forecast last week, though I will accept, I didn't name RBS specifically."
weepyking
"mufc73........ We acually bought Ben Foster, but you got your point acroos nonetheless. You forgot about Darren fletcher and Campbell who is having a great U21 tournament."
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