Liverpool agree deal with Roma to sign Aquilani

Liverpool moved quickly to line up a replacement for Xabi Alonso when they agreed a deal with Roma to sign Italy midfielder Alberto Aquilani subject to a medical, the Premier League club said yesterday.

Liverpool added on their website (www.liverpoolfc.tv) that they concluded their discussions with Serie A side Roma once the sale of Alonso to Real Madrid was finally agreed.

The 25-year-old slick-passing Aquilani is likely to play an important role for Italy in next year's World Cup finals.

"Alberto is a very good player and I'm delighted we've reached agreement with Roma for his transfer," said Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez.

Aquilani, who suffered a string of injuries last season and is not yet 100 per cent fit after ankle surgery in May, will have a medical later this week.

"Alberto has a winning mentality and great experience in both Serie A and the Champions League. He has long been recognised as a top class talent in Italy, captaining his country at both under-19 and under-21 levels before establishing himself in the senior national side," Benitez added.

Aquilani is Liverpool's second major signing of the close season after England right-back Glen Johnson joined from Portsmouth for an undisclosed fee in June.

Roma needed to sell at least one of their best players to finance their close-season transfer dealings.