Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier wants Portugal's Nuno Gomes to replace Nicolas Anelka at Anfield. Houllier decided not to pursue a £12m deal for Anelka, who was on loan from Paris St Germain for the last five months of the season.

He sees 25-year-old Gomes as better value as he believes he can sign him in a cut-price deal from Italian club Fiorentina, who are gripped by a financial crisis. Gomes, one of Portugal's big hopes at the World Cup, claims he's entitled to a free transfer after Fiorentina fell behind with salary payments.

Fiorentina will fight that, but might have to settle for a £5m fee for a player valued at three times that amount.