Reds close to signing Riera

Liverpool are looking to strengthen their squad by signing the Espanyol midfielder Albert Riera.

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LIVERPOOL // Liverpool are looking to strengthen their squad by signing the Espanyol midfielder Albert Riera. A fee is yet to be agreed for the 26-year-old Spain international, but the Reds are very close to completing the transfer, a source at the club said today. He was speaking on condition of anonymity because negotiations were continuing. The signing would be some consolation to club manager, Rafa Benitez, who was reportedly denied the funds to buy the midfielder Gareth Barry from Aston Villa in what became the most protracted and drawn out transfer saga of the English summer.

Riera, who spent five months on loan at Manchester City in 2006, was also linked with Liverpool's crosstown rivals Everton. Riera was omitted from Spain's successful European Championship squad. *AP