Finnan to join Liverpool

By Phil McNulty
Chief football writer

Steve Finnan profile

Liverpool will make Fulham's Steve Finnan their first summer signing in a £4m deal - then launch a £12m transfer battle with Manchester United for Blackburn's Damien Duff.

BBC Sport understands that boss Gerard Houllier is close to completing a deal for the Republic of Ireland defender, who will play his final game for Fulham at Charlton on Sunday.

Houllier will then turn his attention to signing Duff in what is likely to be a club record £12m deal if it goes through.

Duff may also become a target for Manchester United, but Houllier is determined to add much-needed width to his squad and is understood to have made Blackburn's inspirational left-winger his top target.

Blackburn have admitted in recent weeks that they are virtually resigned to losing Duff, which has re-ignited Liverpool's interest in a player they have tracked for 12 months.

Damien Duff profile

Finnan's move to Liverpool should be wrapped up shortly after the end of the season as part of Houllier's renewed bid to challenge Manchester United and Arsenal at the Premiership summit.

Finnan did little to dampen the speculation when he spoke exclusively to the BBC on Thursday.

"We'll just have to wait and see. After the Charlton game if they want to sell me they'll tell me," the Irishman told BBC London 94.9.

"In all honesty I've had five great years here, but if a top four or five team comes in, then you've got to think seriously about it.

"But if the club don't want to sell me then I am here and I am happy here.

"I've got a long contract and I would like to honour it, but if they want to sell me then I suppose it is only in my interests to go if its to the right club."

Steed Malbranque may also join his Fulham team-mate Finnan at Anfield in a £3m deal.

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Houllier has been given the go-ahead to strengthen his squad by chief executive Rick Parry, who hinted at high-profile Anfield arrivals, even if Liverpool fail to qualify for the Champions League after Sunday's final game at Chelsea.

Parry said: "I'm reasonably hopeful that the sort of players we will be bringing in will please the fans and have them on the edge of their seats.

"We want them to be players who will make a significant improvement."

Liverpool are currently in pole position to land Duff, with only a serious intervention from Sir Alex Ferguson likely to stop Houllier finally landing the player.