Reds accept offer for Aquilani

Posted Tuesday, July 31, 2012 by ESPN

BBC Sport reports that Liverpool have accepted a bid from Fiorentina for midfielder Alberto Aquilani.

The Italian was part of the Reds' United States tour and participated in their pre-season friendlies but has now flown back to Italy to finalise the return to his homeland.

He stated recently that he was optimistic of returning to the first team fold under new manager Brendan Rodgers but it appears that the club are eager to dispose of the midfielder they spent £20 million to procure in the summer of 2009.

Aquilani was brought to the Merseyside club by former manager Rafael Benitez as a replacement for Real Madrid-bound Xabi Alonso. However, injuries and indifferent form meant none of Benitez, Roy Hodgson and Kenny Dalglish could get the best out of him.

He was subsequently shipped off on loan spells, first with Juventus and then with AC Milan.

It is also reported that Swansea's Joe Allen remains a target for Rodgers and proceeds from Aquilani's sale will be used to stage a bid for the Welshman. Liverpool will likely have to accept a substantial loss on their investment if they are to sell the 28-year-old midfielder to Fiorentina.

La Viola are in urgent need of an attacking midfielder as former captain Riccardo Montolivo left the club to join Milan on a free transfer earlier in the summer. The side, which ended last season in 13th place, are also struggling to hold onto Montegrin attacker Stevan Jovetic who has attracted the interest of Serie A champions Juventus in recent weeks.