Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier hopes to add Newcastle United's Didier Domi to the Premiership's meanest defence during the summer recess.
Negotiations between the clubs have taken place, with Houllier indicating that he will be willing to pay around stg£4.5 million for the France under-21 left back.
The Newcastle manager Bobby Robson believes the 21-year-old to be worth considerably more and would demand at least £5.5 million should he decide that Domi can leave.
Although Robson has no desire to sell a player who has shown maturity beyond his years, he knows he will probably have to sell before he can upgrade the squad he inherited from Ruud Gullit.
Despite his obvious qualities, Domi is not a regular member of Robson's first team and in recent weeks he has been restricted to the bench after the return to fitness and favour of Alessandro Pistone.
In December 1998 Domi joined Newcastle from Paris St-Germain for £3.25 million - rising to £4 million dependent on appearances - and was Gullit's second major signing.
Having revamped the Liverpool defence since his managerial partnership with Roy Evans was dissolved, Houllier is determined to tamper with his winning formula. Though content with his central pairing of Sami Hyypia and Stephane Henchoz, the Liverpool manager would like to begin next season with two new full backs.
The 27-year-old German international Markus Babbel will arrive from Bayern Munich on a Bosman transfer early next month and, despite a fondness for playing as a centre back, will be asked to play at right-back.
Although the versatile Dominic Matteo has performed ably on the left side of Liverpool's defence over the past few months, Houllier believes he must introduce a specialist if his team are to launch a serious challenge next season.
Several senior players can be expected to leave Anfield in the weeks ahead, notably the Republic of Ireland defender Steve Staunton, the United States goalkeeper Brad Friedel and perhaps the Cameroon defender Rigobert Song.
Phil Babb, the most expensive defender in British football when he arrived for £3.6 million in September 1994, is also out of contract and can expect to be informed he is surplus to requirements. Coventry manager Gordon Strachan may move for him.
