By Mark Finlay
Liverpool still short of a marquee signing this summer are reportedly close to singing Anzhi Makhachkala star Willian as the Russian club looks to offload all its expensive imported players.
Prior to the Brazilians move to Anzhi from Shakhtar Donetsk Manchester City were also said to be interested in the attacking midfielder.
The 25-year-old would fit perfectly into the team that Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is trying to put together at Anfield, with the young Brazilian also keen to move to the Premiership.
“Kerimov told us that Anzhi won’t make further investments…Russian players will join and foreign players would be free to go,” Willian is quoted as saying on ESPN Brazil.
“England is my goal. I like the Premier League very much, I enjoy the English football and certainly, if that happens, it will be very good for me and for my image.”
“He made it clear that if good bids arrive, close to what he paid for the players, that he would certainly help us go.
“There was the Manchester City bid that was turned down. Now I’m waiting for a new bid to arrive in the next days from a few clubs, like Liverpool.
“If it’s really Liverpool, then it is surely a great club. I’m hopeful and very calm, just waiting for the best.
“I know there have been some talks, but I don’t know the values, the agent didn’t tell me, he just said there were talks with some clubs, he didn’t name them, but I think they are English.”
