Brendan Rodgers has confirmed Liverpool are close to agreeing a loan move for Real Madrid midfielder Nuri Sahin. The Reds boss added he expected the deal to be completed very soon.

The Turkey international was strongly linked with a move to Arsenal but a number of recent reports, including one from Spanish newspaper Marca and one from ESPN, have suggested Arsene Wenger's insistence on a permanent deal was not viewed favourably by Madrid. It therefore now appears the Reds have beaten their Premier League rivals to the player's signature.

"Hopefully in the next 24 hours we will get some confirmation on that. It's quite far along. He's a very good footballer," Sky Sports quoted Rodgers, after his side's win at Hearts in the first leg of their Europa League qualifier.

Nuri Sahin
Sahin seems to be on his way to Liverpool realmadrid.com

The BBC reports that Liverpool's offer to pay a significant proportion of Sahin's £115,000 per week wages swung the deal in their favour. The Reds will have the option of a permanent transfer, for a fee of £14m, should they so decide, when the loan expires.

Jol Wants Dempsey Stay

Fulham boss Martin Jol has revealed he wants to keep forward Clint Dempsey at Craven Cottage. The American, who has only a year left on his contract, is keen to join Liverpool but the Reds have yet to lodge an official bid for the 29 year old. There have, however, been unconfirmed reports of player exchanges.

"Mentally Clint wants to move, he doesn't want to stay here. His head was turned and that was the problem. It's a problem and a situation you don't want. It's not something you can talk to a player about every day because he doesn't want to," ESPN quoted Jol as saying.

Clint Dempsey
Dempsey's future is still uncertain Reuters

Dempsey was fined for refusing to play for the Cottagers in their opening match against Norwich City but Jol said he would have no problem if the former MLS star remaineds at the club and continued to be a professional.

"I don't know if he'll remain a Fulham player. I'd love to keep him, but I'm not sure. Hopefully if he stays, then in the next couple of weeks he will change his thoughts about us. With me there's no problem and I don't think there's a problem within the team over him," the Dutchman added.

Fulham have registered a formal complaint to the Premier League, regarding comments made by Liverpool officials on Dempsey.

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