Liverpool Transfer News - Downing, Poulsen, Jovanovic and Aquilani

Liverpool are on the verge of completing a deal for Stewart Downing after agreeing a fee with Aston Villa for the 26-year-old.

It's a complete contrast to Villa's stand last week, when they turned down Liverpool's bid of £15 million and refused to consider entering into a negotiation. There were also rumours spreading stating Arsenal had entered the race to sign the player, with a reported £18 million bid for the Englishman.

However, Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish told the club's official website that a fee had been agreed and that the club would now discuss personal terms with Downing after which he will take a medical.

We have been given permission to speak to the player. Dalglish told Liverpool's official website. We will now try to agree personal terms with him, but it will all depend on the medical. It is a work in progress and we will see what happens and keep you informed.

Aston Villa chief Paul Faulkner said, We've reached an agreement with Liverpool following an improved offer received on Wednesday and the submission of a transfer request by Downing. We believe there are replacements available in the market who can strengthen our squad.

In further good news for the Reds, their huge cluster of unwanted players could slim down a bit after reports emerged that first-season flops Christian Poulsen and Milan Jovanovic are ready to move elsewhere.

The Mirror reported that Danish club FC Copenhagen could take Poulsen off Liverpool with an offer of around £2.5 million. If the move does proceed, Poulsen will be going back to his native of Denmark.

Jovanovic could continue the Liverpool clear-out, if he does what his wife wants to and make a move to Belgian side Anderlecht. Jovanovic joined Liverpool on a free transfer last year, but failed to mesmerize and was quickly brushed to the sidelines. However, he could soon move out as Lille are also interested in signing the former Standard Liege forward.

Jovanovic relieved he had met with Anderlecht officials, saying My wife adores Brussels and is pushing me to return to Belgium, where I only have one offer, he said. I'm still buzzing after my meeting with Anderlecht in Qatar. I was moved by the importance given to me by the Belgian sporting press over the past week. That made me think because Belgium is my second country!

Lille, like Anderlecht, are a nice option for me. This is a good club, which plays at the top of the French game, a high-level competition, and who will play the group stage of Champions League. That's interesting.

For now, I listen to everyone.

However, what could deter any possible move is Jovanovic's massive wage as he earns a reported £100,000-a-week at Anfield.

David Ngog is also reportedly touted by numerous clubs in the Premier League and across Europe after his move to Sunderland fell-out.

Aquilani looks less likely to move out though, as his agent claimed that his chances of moving are slim. Rumours claimed that the former Roma man, who has a contract with Liverpool till 2014, was a target of AC Milan. However, the midfielder quashed rumours earlier this month and said he would stay in England.

His agent Franco Zavaglia also played down chances of him leaving, saying Slim. The opportunity for Alberto to return to the Italian league is very low at this time. Right now, I think that next season Aquilani will wear the shirt of Liverpool.