Rafa aims for double swoop

Liverpool entered the race to sign Marouane Chamakh last night and were close to an agreement for the services of Maxi Rodríguez.

Chamakh, 25, the subject of an offer from Arsenal last summer, is out of contract at Bordeaux but is free to sign a pre-contract agreement that would enable him to move at the end of this season, with Arsenal expected to renew their interest in the Morocco player.

Rodríguez, is out of contract at Atlético Madrid this summer and wants more first-team football in his bid to claim a place in the Argentina World Cup squad.

The winger may be the only arrival at Anfield this month, but the £5 million transfer of Andrea Dossena to Napoli is almost certain to go through after talks on Merseyside to take the defender to Italy.

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