 LUCAS NEILL today expected the go-ahead to complete his transfer to Liverpool - as Rafa Benitez considered whether to allow Stephen Warnock to move in the opposite direction. Blackburn rejected Liverpool's first bid for the 28-year-old Aussie, but negotiations continued overnight with Mark Hughes demanding a fee plus Warnock. Benitez instantly dismissed that proposal. Warnock is just 24 and a recent England international. However, as talks progressed today, if a cash deal couldn't be agreed there was a possibility Liverpool would sanction a straight swop for Warnock. Despite Rovers' reluctance to sell Neill, the mood at Anfield today was optimistic a deal would be thrashed out before midnight. The Aussie defender has made it clear to his club he's desperate to move. And despite Blackburn trying to claim as much as £4m for Neill's signature - way beyond Liverpool's valuation - they know they risk receiving nothing if the day passes without agreement. Neill is entering the last year of his contract and is sure to leave on a Bosman next summer if his move to Liverpool is blocked. Alternatively, having turned 28, Neill could activate a new FIFA ruling and leave by buying out the remainder of his Ewood Park contract at a cost of £1.2m. Although that would be a lengthy process, from Blackburn's point of view the final outcome would be the same. They would lose the player for less than Liverpool are prepared to offer now. Clearly another hectic days was in store for Benitez and chief executive Rick Parry as they tried to overcome the final hurdles. The club managed to offload two youngsters as Florent Sinama-Pongolle and Neil Mellor joined Recreativo and Preston, respectively. Sinama moved on loan, Mellor signed a three-year-contract. But there was a setback as Salif Diao's move to Spain collapsed because he couldn't agree personal terms. Diao was handed a staggeringly lucrative contract when he joined Liverpool in 2002 and would rather earn his money on Merseyside than leave for regular football. It's highly unlikely he'll move before the end of the day. Jan Kromkamp, however, is leaving Liverpool to join PSV Eindhoven foraround £2m. | 
HAVE your say on our Reds Messageboard - click 
RSS News Feed