Liverpool to sign £8 million defender

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers wants Tottenham Hotspur defender Steven Caulker to be his first signing at Anfield.

The former Swansea manager is determined to be reunited with the 20-year-old, who spent the duration of last season on loan at the Liberty Stadium.

Before joining Liverpool, Rogers expressed a desire to keep the highly-rated centre-half in South Wales for another season but now wants Caulker to join him on Merseyside.

Spurs remain interested in loaning out the England under-21 international for another season to continue his development but have made it clear that Caulker, who is under contract in North London until July 2014, is not for sale.

Rodgers, however, is set to test Spurs resolve and is preparing an opening bid thought to be in the region of £8 million for the defender, who made 26 Premier League appearances last season for the Swans.

The Welshman believes Caulker is good enough to challenge for a first team spot at Anfield and this could tempt the youngster to push for a move. Spurs already have French international defender Younes Kaboul on their books and are close to finalising a deal to bring Ajax captain Jan Vertonghen to White Hart Lane.

Rodgers, 39, privately feels the 6 foot 3 inch star will be an England regular within a year and is willing to increase his offer for the youngster should Spurs rebuff Liverpool’s opening bid.