Rafael Benitez is ready to launch an £18m bid to bring Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o to Anfield, according to reports in Spain.
The Barcelona striker has been in top form this season, netting 25 goals from 27 games, but his future has been the subject of speculation after it was revealed that his contract only has one year left on it.
Liverpool could swoop for a player whose price tag is increasing by the game, but may face competition from both Milan clubs who have shown an interest in the striker in the past.
A source close to Eto'o said in The Sun: "Benitez likes Samuel a lot. Everything is possible for this summer. It will depend on Barcelona's results as well if they decide to buy David Villa.
"Eto'o is not a player to sit on the bench."
Despite impressing in his time at the Nou Camp and landing two La Liga titles as well as a Champions League trophy, Eto'o's time at Barcelona has been chequered and he has faced an uncertain future with new coach Pep Guardiola listening to offers last summer.
Considered to be the source of dressing room discontent, Barcelona may now choose to cash in on Eto'o before the striker can leave for free in 2010, although the player has distanced himself from any transfer talk.
When asked about a potential move to Inter Milan this weekend, he replied: "I do not know anything about Inter.
"I just lost an important match (against Togo) and I am not here to talk about my future, because I'm happy at Barcelona."
Not likely .... to pay 18 million pounds for a 28-yr- old , who is almost over the hill , not Benitez's style .
Maybe 12 million pounds , say like E'to to be playing until 32 , we lose about 3 million pounds per year , that's ok . Not 5+ million depreciation per year .
to think a new player need time to settle down , by the time E'to settle down , he's oready 29 .....