Liverpool confident of £5M deal for Real Madrid's Morientes

Liverpool are confident they can land Real Madrid striker Fernando Morientes with an offer of £5 million.

The Independent says talks between the two sides will continue after Real's rejection of Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry's first offer of £3.5 million, although privately the Spanish club are realistic about their original £7m valuation.

They are aware that there is little competition for the Spanish international's signature among the rest of Europe and that Liverpool are one of the few clubs who could offer him competitive wages.

Morientes will take a hefty pay-cut to move to Anfield. He is understood to earn around £70,000 a week and would be likely to settle for the £50,000 a week on offer from Liverpool.