Nick Barmby will become Terry Venables' first signing for Leeds United providing he completes a medical and agrees personal terms today. Leeds have agreed a fee of £2.75 million with Liverpool for the 28-year-old midfielder, who arrived at Leeds' Thorp Arch training ground yesterday to begin a medical.

Joining Leeds would reunite Barmby with Venables, who was manager at Tottenham when Barmby began his professional career. Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale plans to meet Barmby's agent today to discuss personal terms if the medical is completed without any problems.

Ridsdale hinted Barmby's arrival was linked to Venables' decision to play Harry Kewell in a free role behind the two main strikers during the pre-season programme. Ridsdale said: "Nick is a player Terry admires and wants. He has been playing Harry Kewell in a different position and that has created an imbalance - hopefully Nick will help redress that.

"The agreement with Liverpool was only finalised this afternoon. Nick is at our training ground now and fingers crossed we hope to have him signed by Thursday morning."