Luis Suarez, the £20million-rated Ajax striker, has paved the way for a move to Liverpool.
Anfield boss Kenny ÂDalglish is meeting owner John W Henry over the weekend to finalise plans for the final fortnight of the transfer Âwindow.
And the scene is set for the Uruguay international to Âarrive as Ryan Babel heads out of Merseyside with clubs in England and Germany Âpursuing him.
Suarez shares the same agent as Fernando Torres and has asked him to find out if clubs are interested in Âsigning him this month.
Liverpool and Tottenham lead the chase, but the ÂSpanish-speaking connection at ÂAnfield could prove a Âcritical attraction.
Suarez is the kind of busy, Âskillful player who Âcreates openings for team-mates, which Torres will welcome, as well as scoring goals Âhimself.
He formed a formidable partnership at last summer’s World Cup with Diego Forlan that took Uruguay through to the semi-finals.
The striker is at Ajax’s winter training camp in Turkey. He has had a meeting with coach Frank de Boer and they accept the moment has arrived for the South ÂAmerican to move on if the Amsterdam club get an acceptable offer.
De Boer explained: “I’ve had a showdown with Luis.
“I wanted to know what his plans are and what the future will bring. Luis is training hard. He told me that if a big club comes in for him now he is ready to talk to them.â€
And De Boer admitted: “I’ve a back-up scenario ready.â€
Clearly, the critical issue will revolve around how much the Anfield owners make available to Dalglish, but Babel looks certain to leave for around £8m.
Fulham and West Ham from the Premier League have declared their interest.
But sources in Germany believe the Holland star is set to move to the Bundesliga and accept a £65,000 a-week deal with Hoffenheim, who are owned by software mÂillionaire Dietmar Hopp.
Schalke also want Babel, but won’t be able to match Hoffenheim’s personal terms.
Certainly Babel, who is facing an FA disrepute Âenquiry for posting a twitter of referee Howard Webb wearing a Manchester ÂUnited shirt, has decided he’s spending too long on the Liverpool subs’ bench.
But as Dalglish attempts to rebuild the flagging squad he inherited, the key ÂJanuary signing will be Suarez.
Earlier this season, Suarez – who conceded a last gasp penalty in the World Cup quarter-final that denied Ghana glory – revealed: “If I move I want to join a real football club where they play good, attacking Âfootball.
“I will decline any offer from clubs like Shakhtar Donetsk or Saint ÂPetersburg where they offer you sacks full of money.’
“I’ve an Âobsession to win Âtrophies.
“I am a South American with the mentality to win.
“This is why I was not ashamed to put my hand up on the gol-line in the World Cup.
“They called it the hand of the devil, but I really don’t care.â€