Echo: Reds close in on Sigurdsson

Liverpool are closing in on their first signing of the summer, with Gylfi Sigurdsson edging ever nearer to a move to Anfield.

The ECHO understands that the Hoffenheim midfielder has informed new Reds boss Brendan Rodgers that he would like to join him on Merseyside, and that a deal for the Icelandic international could now go through this week, provided personal terms are agreed, and a medical examination is passed.

Sigurdsson had looked set to join Swansea, having spent a successful loan spell at the Liberty Stadium last summer under Rodgers, who had also coached him at Reading earlier in his career.

A fee of £6.8m had been agreed for the 22-year-old's permanent transfer, but Rodgers' move to Anfield earlier this month has scuppered that deal.

Rodgers confirmed last week that he would like the chance to speak with the player, but insisted that Sigurdsson would honour his word by speaking with Swansea before any move to Liverpool was discussed.

New Swans boss Michael Laudrup is set to arrive in South Wales this week, having been confirmed as Rodgers' successor on Friday.

It is understood that he will speak to Sigurdsson by telephone, but Swansea are resigned to missing out on a player who netted seven goals in 19 appearances during a productive end to the last campaign.

Liverpool would be expected to pay a fee of around £8m, with Swansea having negotiated a discounted price as part of his loan arrangement back in January. Hoffenheim insisted on Sunday that no fee had been agreed yet, and that Sigurdsson was expected back at the club today, but are well aware of his desire to link up with Rodgers again on Merseyside.

Liverpool refused to officially comment on the matter, but Sigurdsson's arrival would add a much-needed goalscoring threat to the Reds' midfield, and Iceland coach Lars Lagerback has tipped the youngster to make a big impact at Anfield, if and when a deal is completed.
Lagerback said: "Gylfi had a fantastic season with Swansea and he has great quality.

"I was really impressed with what he did with Swansea and the way they played really suited him.

"He's a fantastic player at linking play around him and together with the players in his team.

"If he has some good players around him, then I think he's an absolutely top player - but he does need to be surrounded by quality.

"If that happens, then I think he could be a really world-class player in the right environment."

He added: "We have found a role for him in the Iceland team where he can be involved as much as possible and really influence the attacking part of our game.

"He has fantastic feet and can shoot from anywhere but he's more of a playmaker or an offensive midfielder with good shooting ability."

Rodgers remains keen to add to his inherited squad, and revealed last week that he had identified a number of players who could make an immediate difference.

Tottenham defender Steven Caulker, who also spent last season on loan at Swansea, is understood to be one name on the Reds' shortlist, though the 20-year-old is expected to wait until Spurs' new manager is in place before deciding his next move.

Roma striker Fabio Borini is another who is likely to come into consideration. Rodgers had the Italian during Swansea's promotion season in 2010-11, and made a concerted effort to bring the 21-year-old back to the Premier League last season, only to be outbid by Roma.

Borini has remained on the Ulsterman's radar, however, and could be seen as the ideal target to bolster Liverpool's forward options, especially given the exit of Dirk Kuyt to Fenerbahce earlier this month.

Source: Liverpool Echo