LIVERPOOL are preparing to swoop for Jermaine Pennant, as the Daniel Alves deal looks further away than ever.
Rafa Benitez has now decided to switch his attention to the 23-year-old Birmingham winger having virtually given up on negotiations with Seville.
Benitez knows he can sign two players for the amount Seville are asking for Alves, which is why he now feels it's in Liverpool's interest to bid for Pennant and Feyenoord's Dirk Kuyt instead.
The Reds hope a bid in the region of £3.5m will be enough to secure a deal for Pennant.
Pennant would be the second new arrival of the summer who'd arrive with a 'bad boy reputation', but Benitez is confident a move to Anfield will bring the best out of a player who was seen as one of England's hottest prospects a few years ago.
With Birmingham relegated, it's clear Pennant would relish the chance to return to a top club having failed to make a major impact at Arsenal.
Like Craig Bellamy, Benitez feels the youngster will arrive highly-motivated and with a point to prove should he be given a second chance at a major club.
HAVE your say on our Reds Messageboard - click 
RSS News Feed