Glen Johnson looks close to a move to Liverpool after the Liverpool Echo and the Portsmouth News reported a fee had been agreed.
Liverpool and Portsmouth are believed to have settled on a fee of around £17 million for the England defender, with the Liverpool Echo claiming that Johnson has told The Reds he wants to sign.
Both clubs are attempting to close the deal quietly, with Rafa Benitez keen to avoid losing Johnson to a last-ditch hijack as he did with Gareth Barry a week ago.
The Portsmouth News admits Peter Storrie said midway through Monday that no bid had been received for the player, but that situation is said to have changed on Monday night.
Negotiations will continue into Wednesday, but trusted local paper The Liverpool Echo claims Liverpool are ‘very confident’ they will get their man.
Should Johnson arrive, Rafa Benitez will listen to offers for Alvaro Arbeloa, who is viewed as an option for previous club Real Madrid as they consider moving Sergio Ramos to the heart of their defence.