Liverpool are ready to make an £8 million offer for West Ham United midfielder Scott Parker.
The Sunday Mirror says Anfield boss Roy Hodgson has pinpointed the West Ham midfielder as the man to replace Javier Mascherano, who is set to join Inter Milan in a £20m deal.
The Hammers hierarchy have insisted that Parker is the one player they will not sell this summer.
“Not at any price,” said chairman David Sullivan.
That has not stopped Tottenham declaring their interest.
And just as Liverpool allowed Spurs and Arsenal to make the running in the pursuit of Joe Cole, before stealing their thunder, they are poised to strike again with Parker. The key issue is whether West Ham will relax their tough stance.