LIVERPOOL have made a formal £6m bid for Blackburn striker Craig Bellamy.
Rafa Benitez has ended speculation surrounding his much publicised search for a top striker by testing the validity of claims Bellamy has an exit clause in his contract.
With Bellamy desperate for a transfer to Anfield, Liverpool now expect to be given permission to talk to the Welsh striker.
The 25-year-old is certain to react to today's developments by urging his club to accept the offer.
The outcome of talks between Bellamy and Benitez will then determine if Liverpool want to press ahead with a deal.
It's known Benitez harboured concerns about the off-field history of the centre-forward, but the players' footballing skills have made him the most highly rated of all those Premiership-based stars linked with a move to Liverpool.
Blackburn were one of the most improved teams in the Premiership last season, largely down to Bellamy's goalscoring threat and contribution. The Spanish boss will now want to meet Bellamy and assess if he has the right mentality to join his club.
Bellamy's eagerness for the transfer, however, has already proven an influential factor and he's unlikely to blow his opportunity now.
The former Newcastle and Coventry striker jumped to the top of the wanted list following Djibril Cisse's unfortunate injury, but his £6m clause always made a Reds bid likely.
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