Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez hopes to land Sunderland striker Kenwyne Jones in a swap deal.
The Sun says Benitez hopes to agree a deal with Sunderland as he desperately needs cover for crocked hotshot Fernando Torres.
And it will see out-of-favour Dutchman Ryan Babel head for the Stadium of Light.
But Benitez faces a fight with Aston Villa for unsettled Trinidad and Tobago ace Jones, 25.
Villa manager Martin O'Neill is plotting a £12m move for the Black Cats forward.
The Liverpool chief hopes to agree a deal with Sunderland as he desperately needs cover for crocked hotshot Fernando Torres.
And it will see out-of-favour Dutchman Babel head for the Stadium of Light.
But Benitez faces a fight with Aston Villa for unsettled Trinidad and Tobago ace Jones, 25.
The Kop boss has been chasing a back-up striker to Torres for months with the Spaniard plagued by injury this season.
That hunt became an urgent priority on Wednesday when Torres damaged a cartilage in the shock FA Cup defeat to Reading.
He needs surgery and will be out for six weeks.
Babel, 23, has been an £11.5million Mersey flop since moving from Ajax 2½ years ago, starting just 24 league games.
Benitez will need some hard bargaining for Jones after Sunderland boss Steve Bruce claimed he was worth £40m on his day.
Villa manager Martin O'Neill is plotting a £12m move for the Black Cats forward.
Bruce has already knocked back an £11m offer from Birmingham while Stoke are also keen.
pardon me, but rafa seems to have this "high" regards of his players in transfer market while often 'pushing' down the values of others that he wants to buy/trade.
well, as a matter of fact, who doesn't.. haha..