Liverpool are lining up a £5 million bid for Manchester City defender Micah Richards.

The News of the World says City boss Mark Hughes is ready to offload the 20-year-old defender, who burst on to the international stage two years ago.

Hughes wants Portsmouth's Glen Johnson and that would push Richards out of the first-team picture at Eastlands next season. Anfield boss Rafa Benitez, aware of the financial constraints he will have to work under this summer, believes he could pick up a bargain.

Long-term fan Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger could also be tempted to make an approach for the England full-back.