Liverpool are edging towards signing Celta Vigo striker Iago Aspas after the 25-year-old admitted he has rejected offers from Portugal and Italy in order to make a move to the Premier League.

Iago Aspas
Reuters

Marca claims a deal between the two clubs has already been agreed, and Liverpool will spend around €8.5m to secure Aspas' services. The Spaniard is expected to fly to England and undergo a medical next week before being unveiled at the club.

"When I heard of Liverpool's interest, I did not hesitate a minute. It is one of the biggest teams in the world and, although he had other offers from Italy (Naples), Portugal (Benfica) and elsewhere, I decided that my future was linked to English football," Aspas told Marca.

The Celta Vigo star is excited over his move to the Merseyside club, where he will join the bunch of Spanish-speaking players already in the squad. The forward believes his compatriots Suso and Jose Enrique, plus the South American contingent, will help him settle in quickly at the club.

"I am very calm but at the same time very excited because I am making a very significant step forward in my sporting career. I hope Reina, Suso, Dani Pacheco, Luis Suárez, Coutinho, Lucas Leiva and José Enrique help me at the beginning," the forward added.

The Spaniard has bagged 12 goals and managed seven assists, including one in the final game of the season against Espanyol, which helped his side avoid relegation.

After failing to do early business before the start of last season, manager Brendan Rodgers has urged the club's administration to make early signings this summer. The Northern Irishman believes the squad during the last season was "shallow" and is keen to strengthen the team by bringing in new players.

The Reds have already signed Kolo Toure from Manchester City on a free transfer. With the addition of Aspas, Rodgers can focus his attention on Sporting Lisbon defender Tiago Ilori, who is likely to follow the Spaniard to Anfield.

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