Reds confident Bellamy will sign

CRAIG BELLAMY’S agent has hinted the in-demand Blackburn striker will not keep anybody waiting as he considers a move to Liverpool.

Anfield boss Rafael Benitez is confident the Welsh international will join his boyhood heroes after Rovers reluctantly gave them permission to speak to him, despite recently making his a much-improved contract offer.

“I have nothing to say at the minute but I may have more to say tomorrow morning,” said Steve Horner.

But Benitez believes it will be an “easy” decision to make for Bellamy to join Liverpool.

The 26-year-old is reported to have a clause in his contract which allows any Champions League club to speak to him if they offer £6.5m.

The fiery front man is now set to enter into negotiations, and Benitez does not doubt that Reds fan Bellamy possesses “the passion” to sign.

“We have an agreement which allows us to talk to the player,” said Benitez. “He is on holiday, but we will talk over the next few days. I know the player’s qualities very well. He is a very good footballer and now we need to see if he has the passion to play for our club.

“I don’t think this will be a problem because he is a Liverpool fan, so I think it will be easy for him. I will be talking to him to express my ideas. He has the ability, the pace and the talent we’ve been looking for and now we need to talk about other things.”

Rovers are keen to hang on to their prize asset who scored 17 goals last season as they qualified for the UEFA Cup.

Manager Mark Hughes spoke with Bellamy and the club have now reluctantly given Liverpool permission to speak to the former Newcastle player.

“We have made it crystal clear to Craig and his advisors that we want him at Ewood Park,” Blackburn chairman John Williams told the club’s website.

“We made him an improved offer before Liverpool declared their interest, an offer that was consistent with our ambition and determination to build on last season’s success. The decision now rests with the player.”

Rovers are reported to have offered Bellamy a new contract in excess of £50,000 a week but the suggestion is the player will actually take a pay cut to move to a club he supported as a boy.