RAFAEL BENITEZ has sent a clear message to Brondby that he will not be held to ransom over Daniel Agger - as Sevilla winger Daniel Alves claimed he was being denied a move to Anfield.
Talks between Liverpool and Brondby have been ongoing for several days, with the clubs still at loggerheads over the value of centre-back Agger.
Brondby have slapped a £7million tag on the 21-year-old, while Benitez is willing to offer up to £5.5m for a player who is out of contract in 18 months.
Agger remains the Anfield manager's first choice defensive reinforcement and would prefer a move to the European Champions, despite claimed interest from a number of other Premiership clubs as well as Juventus and Bayern Munich.
And while Liverpool are confident of encouraging Brondby to lower their asking price, Benitez has signalled his willingness to pursue other defensive targets by confirming an interest in Deportivo La Coruna pair Fabricio Coloccini and Cesar.
"We need to fortify the centre of the defence and we are considering four or five options," said Benitez. "We had ideas in the summer and we are thinking now in the same way.
"We have targeted Coloccini and Cesar of Deportivo La Coruna and we are just about to obtain if they want to sell."
Argentina international Coloccini is keen to depart Deportivo after having seen his first-team opportunities limited following a fall-out with coach Joaquin Caparros.
The 23-year-old centre-back has previously expressed a desire to join Liverpool, who are prepared to offer £2.9million (4m euros).
Spanish defender Cesar is out of contract at the end of the season and would be available for a nominal fee. The 28-year-old has attracted attention from Bolton Wanderers, Tottenham Hotspur and Villarreal in recent weeks.