Liverpool Transfer News: Enrique, Henderson and Aquilani in Today's Press
Newcastle United wing-back Jose Enrique will complete his protracted move to Liverpool on Monday after the two sides agreed a fee in the region of £6m.
Enrique, 25, has been linked with a move to Anfield all summer, after the Spaniard criticised Newcastle's transfer policy and refused to sign a new contract at St. James' Park.
The left-back joined Newcastle for £6.3m from Villarreal in August 2007 and has since emerged as one of the Premier League's most consistent performers.
Manager Kenny Dalglish has been keen to strengthen the left side of his defence all summer. Paul Konchesky was allowed to leave and, with on-going concerns over Fabio Aurelio's fitness, was left with only Glen Johnson and Emiliano Insua as cover.
Enrique has travelled to Merseyside for a medical and will become manager Kenny Dalglish's fourth signing of the summer, following the purchases of Jordan Henderson, Charlie Adam and Stewart Downing.
Henderson, 20, is set to make his Liverpool debut against Sunderland this weekend. The midfielder swapped the Stadium of Light for Anfield this summer and Dalglish has implored Black Cats supporters to be "philosophical" about the move.
"Jordan is one they've lost," Dalglish told the Liverpool Echo. "He's a good player who they would have been understandably reluctant to let go.
"But sometimes as a manager you've got to be philosophical and say if a player wants to go we should let him leave.
"I don't think [Sunderland fans] will have any animosity towards Jordan. Sunderland will be a difficult fixture. There's been a major turnaround of players there over the summer."
Meanwhile, midfielder Alberto Aquilani has insisted he is content to stay at Liverpool this season.
Aquilani, 27, spent last season on-loan at Juventus and has been heavily linked with a return to Italy this summer.
However, Dalglish has hinted he would like to keep the Italian international on Merseyside, and Aquilani has suggested he would like to stay on Merseyside.
"All I can say is that there has been a lot of talk," he told Sky Sports after scoring the winner for his country against Spain in Bari on Wednesday.
"I wasn't following the Italian media much over the summer, but whatever happens I am at a great club like Liverpool.
"I'd love to make my mark at Liverpool. The transfer market is open until 31 Aug., so we'll see that happens.
"Obviously I would take the offer of a permanent move into consideration with Liverpool."
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