Sky Sports News understands Liverpool are close to agreeing a pre-contract deal with Standard Liege striker Milan Jovanovic. Reds boss Rafa Benitez has stepped up his efforts to capture the 28 year old, who is out of contract with Liege in the summer, after failing in a pursuit of Sunderland's Kenwyne Jones.
Serbia international Jovanovic is reported to be on the verge of signing terms that would guarantee he moves to Anfield after participating in this summer's World Cup to offer an alternative to injury-prone Fernando Torres.
It has been suggested that Jovanovic was only prepared to sign for Liverpool if the club offered guarantees that Juventus target Benitez would stay on Merseyside beyond the end of this season.
