Morientes tells Real Madrid: I want Liverpool not Newcastle

Real Madrid striker Fernando Morientes has told club chiefs he only wants a move to Liverpool - so ruling out any suggestion he could join Newcastle United in January.

The Liverpool Echo says Newcastle have muddied the waters since Liverpool's £3.5m bid was lodged by declaring their interest in the 28-year-old.

However, Morientes has rejected the idea of a move North East and the player has told Madrid officials he only wants an agreement to be reached with Benitez.

"He is a fantastic player and I have read in the newspaper he wants to come here and would prefer to come to Liverpool," said Benitez last week.

"But we have a saying in Spain that you never sell the house to buy a window. You don't spend more money than you have."

"They say the player has a high price so we're still scouting the market. If it doesn't happen we'll see if we can find someone else to bring in."