Football: Liverpool to sign Cissokho, chase Willian

Football: Liverpool to sign Cissokho, chase Willian

LONDON - Liverpool have moved to reinforce their squad on the eve of the new Premier League season by agreeing a deal to sign French left-back Aly Cissokho on loan from Valencia, according to UK media reports.

Sky Sports television reported on Friday morning that the Reds had agreed to sign Cissokho on an initial season-long loan from the Spanish club with a view to a permanent transfer next summer.

The 25-year-old French international left Lyon for Valencia at the beginning of last season and made 25 league appearances.

He first made his name playing for Portuguese side Porto in the Champions League in 2009 and will now provide competition at left-back for Jose Enrique, who was Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers' only option in the position.

Cissokho is expected to travel to Merseyside in the next week to undergo a medical and agree personal terms, although it is understood Liverpool do not believe that will be an issue.

Meanwhile, Sky Sports also reported that the Anfield club are in talks with Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala concerning the Brazilian international attacking midfielder Willian.

The 25-year-old only joined Anzhi from Shakhtar Donetsk in January but was put up for sale along with the club's other high earners after billionaire owner Suleiman Kerimov recently decided to drastically cut the side's budget and scale down their ambitions.

However, Liverpool can expect competition for the player's signature, for whom Manchester City have reportedly previously shown an interest.

"There was the Manchester City bid that was turned down. Now I'm waiting for a new bid to arrive in the next days from a few clubs, like Liverpool," Willian was quoted as saying on ESPN Brazil on Thursday.

"If it's really Liverpool, then it is surely a great club. I'm hopeful and very calm, just waiting for the best.

"England is my goal. I like the Premier League very much, I enjoy English football and certainly, if that happens, it will be very good for me and for my image.

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