Liverpool target Arsenal's Gael Clichy

Liverpool have followed the £20m signing of Jordan Henderson with a £5m offer for the Arsenal left-back, Gael Clichy.

Kenny Dalglish is anxious to address a glaring weakness in his squad ahead of next season and, having considered the merits of both the Newcastle full-back Luis Enrique and Celtic's Emilio Izaguirre, has turned his attention towards Clichy. The French defender has rejected Arsenal's offer of an extension to his contract, which has only 12 months remaining, and his employers are expected to cash in for around £5m-6m this summer rather than lose him on a free next year.

The 25-year-old has been linked with a host of European clubs since the breakdown over his contract extension and been touted as a possible makeweight in several deals being pursued by Arsène Wenger. Liverpool were forced to deploy Glen Johnson and 17-year-old Jack Robinson at left-back last season, with Dalglish offloading Paul Konchesky on loan to Nottingham Forest. They are awaiting a response from Arsenal on their approach.

Henderson has admitted it was a wrench to leave his boyhood club, Sunderland, but believes he can be part of a successful new era at Liverpool.

The 20-year-old passed a medical and agreed personal terms at Liverpool before joining the England Under-21 squad in Denmark, although David Ngog's involvement in the transfer is now on hold as the French forward considers what options are available. Henderson will cost Liverpool an initial £16m, either in cash or with Ngog included in the package, and the midfielder believes the rapid transformation overseen by Dalglish will lead to honours.

Henderson said: "Liverpool's definitely the place to help me come on as a player, and improve me. The club's going in the right direction and it can go as high as it wants. There is a lot to achieve. It's a massive club and we've seen over the last few months how good they are. So I'm just coming here to learn and try to improve my game and I'm sure that along the way there will be a lot of happy memories."

The Sunderland-born midfielder, however, admitted it was "a massive decision" to leave Wearside. He said: "It's hard to leave your local club. I'm a Sunderland lad, I've supported them all my life. My family are all Sunderland fans as well, and it's pretty tough because I've had some great years there. I've been there since I was seven and I'll definitely miss it, but I'm looking forward to playing for Liverpool now. This is a massive opportunity for me."

Source: The Guardian

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