Premiership: Xavier set for shock Liverpool move

Everton defender Abel Xavier is poised for a shock move to Merseyside rivals Liverpool.

The Portugal international was expected to return home after being put on the Goodison transfer list last week.

Benfica and Porto were believed to be leading the chase for his signature - but the player has visited Anfield's Melwood training ground and discussed a move across Stanley Park.

A fee of around £800,000 (€1,3m) is expected to see the Mozambique-born player - free to leave Goodison for nothing at the end of the season - follow Nicky Barmby to Anfield.

The shock transfer is expected to go through in the next 48 hours, subject to a medical.

That would enable the Reds to register the former PSV Eindhoven player just in time for the Champions League, before this week's deadline.

A Liverpool spokesperson said: "I can confirm that Abel Xavier was at Melwood discussing the possibility of a move to Liverpool Football Club."

The club added that, although the player held talks, no deal has been agreed and Xavier remained an Everton player for now.

The defender was transfer-listed after turning down a new three-year offer to stay at Goodison.

A combination of injury and illness has meant Xavier, who joined the Blues for £1.5m (€2.44m) in September 1999, has made just 49 appearances for Everton during his two-and-a-half year spell.