Liverpool Accept Offer For Alberto Aquilani And Close In On Swansea star

Liverpool have accepted an undisclosed offer – believed to be around £7 million – from Fiorentina for midfield misfit Alberto Aquilani.

 The Italian has flown home from the Reds’ pre-season tour of the United States to finalise the move.

 Liverpool boss Brendan Rogers is set to spend to proceeds on Swansea and Team GB star Joe Allen, who is valued at around £15 million.

 Signed for £20 million from Roma by Rafa Benitez, Aquilani never settled on Merseyside and has spent the last two seasons on loan in his native Italy.

 The 28-year-old made just two appearances under Roy Hodgson and none under Kenny Dalglish but Rodgers appeared ready to give the playmaker a fresh start at Anfield.

 But the Northern Irish tactician has been told to sell before he can buy and has accepted a considerable loss on the Italian, who still has two years remaining on his Liverpool contract.

 The Reds are expected to make a formal offer for Allen as soon as Aquilani completes his move to Florence. A clause in Allen’s contract means Liverpool must pay £15 million for the 22-year-old pass-master.

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The 27-year-old midfielder looks set to return to Anfield after AC Milan decided against signing the Italy international on a permanent basis at the end of the season

The Italy international spent last season on loan at AC Milan but the Serie A outfit have decided against taking up their option to sign the midfielder on a permanent basis, with club CEO Adriano Galliani admitting that he will sit down with the Reds in June to try to thrash out a compromise agreement.

With Liverpool now on the verge of officially confirming Rodgers as their new boss, the next step as far as Aquilani is concerned is establishing whether he has a future at Anfield.

"It's necessary to understand if there are the foundations for an agreement that satisfies everyone," the former Roma man told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"I'm waiting for Liverpool to decide on the identity of their new coach and reorganise themselves. Then we will have to meet in order to figure out their plans.

"The only thing I can do is make the right decision. For me, it is important to have the opportunity to make a contribution, to play well and regularly."

Aquilani joined Liverpool from Roma in 2009 but his debut season in English football was blighted by injury problems and he was loaned to Juventus the following year.

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