Liverpool are close to clinching a deal for Manchester City defender Kolo Toure who will be available on a free transfer next month.

The 32 year old was linked with a move to Liverpool last week and Sky Sports now believes that talks are at an advanced stage between the sides after Toure returned from Manchester City's post season tour of America.

Toure may well have fallen down the pecking order under Roberto Mancini but he has a wealth of experience at the highest level having spent more than a decade playing in the Premier League for City and Arsenal.

Kolo Toure
Liverpool are believed to be willing to offer Kolo Toure a two year contract. [Reuters]

With Jamie Carragher now having left Liverpool, there is a need for manager Brendan Rodgers to find an equally apt replacement, and it seems Toure fits the bill.

The Ivory Coast international was a member of Arsenal's invincibles side that won the league title back in 2004 and was a regular for Manchester City in his first two seasons at the club.

He made just 14 appearances in City's title winning season and was once again on the periphery during this campaign as he struggled to force his way ahead of Vincent Kompany, Matija Nastasić and Joleon Lescott.

Toure's contract runs out at the end of June and he will then be available on a free transfer, with Liverpool reportedly prepared to offer him a two year contract.

It is thought that Toure will become Liverpool's first signing of the summer as Rodgers looks to build a squad that can challenge for a place in the top four next season.

Liverpool have tended to sign players in their early twenties under Rodgers but it seems the former Swansea boss feels he needs a proven defender to fill the huge hole that has been left by the departure of Carragher.

Toure is unlikely to be the only signing of the summer as Rodgers has promised that he will seek a number of new arrivals in order to make sure Liverpool are more consistent and can challenge the top sides in the division.