Liverpool step up pursuit on Chamakh and Maxi Rodiguez

Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh’s representatives held talks with Liverpool yesterday over signing a pre-contract agreement.

The Morocco ace is available on a free transfer at the end of the season and Rafa Benitez is ready to act quickly to tie up the deal.

Atletico Madrid’s Maxi Rodriguez is expected to agree terms with Liverpool over the next 24 hours.

Olympiakos have been rebuffed over an inquiry for Liverpool midfielder Yossi Benayoun but will return with an offer for his team-mate Albert Riera.

The Greek side have offered around £5million and wages of £40,000 a week tax free for Israeli Benayoun but Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez will not sell. He may be swayed on Riera, who has failed to capitalise on a good first season at Anfield.

Andrea Dossena is on the verge of completing his £4.5m transfer to Napoli but his agent says the four-and-a-half-year deal has been held up by the weather.

‘He can’t leave Liverpool because of the snow,’ said Roberto La Floria.

Meanwhile, misfit striker Andriy Voronin is expected to join Dinamo Moscow for £1.5m.