Liverpool are offering Jordan Henderson bumper wages to leave Sunderland.
The Sunday Sun says sources on Merseyside have indicated they are prepared to pay him £4m a year to move to Anfield.
The Reds were reported to have made a £13m bid for Henderson this week, although both Liverpool and Sunderland denied it.
But their interest in Henderson is genuine and it is only a matter of time before they make a formal approach.
Sunderland boss Steve Bruce said last season that it would take an offer of at least £20m to convince him to part with the 20-year-old England international, but Liverpool are hoping to get their man for around £18m.
