Madrid let Morientes go

Spain international Fernando Morientes is finally on his way to Liverpool, according to Real Madrid.

The 28-year-old, one of Europe’s leading strikers last season while on loan at Champions League finalists Monaco, has been pushing for a move to join the Reds’ former Valencia coach Rafael Benitez.

Madrid said in a statement on their website www.realmadrid.com: “Real Madrid and Liverpool have reached an agreement for the transfer of Fernando Morientes to the English club for a total price of €9m (£6.3m).

“This afternoon the player will travel to Liverpool to undergo a medical that he will have to take tomorrow morning.

“The club also has also confirmed today that Fernando Morientes, accompanied by (vice-president) Emilio Butragueno and (sporting director) Arrigo Sacchi will hold a press conference to announce his departure to the Premier League.”

Morientes' agent Gines Carvajal said: "The player has signed a four and a half year contract and he is delighted to be joining as great a club as Liverpool."

Liverpool boss Benitez has had his fair share of bad luck with strikers this season, with Djibril Cisse suffering a double break of his leg against Blackburn which is likely to keep him out for the rest of the season, while Milan Baros has been affected by a hamstring injury.

However, suddenly things are looking brighter for Benitez and the quality of Morientes will be a huge boost, as will the strength and quality of new defender Mauricio Pellegrino, signed on a free transfer from Valencia earlier this week.

Providing there are no hold-ups with paperwork and international clearance, Morientes is in line to make his debut against Manchester United on Saturday.

Benitez has been chasing Morientes for weeks and claims French club Lyon had attempted to hijack the deal yesterday with a higher bid have proved unfounded.

Morientes is believed to have told Benitez that if he was not going to be allowed to fulfil his dream of moving to Anfield, he would prefer to stay at the Bernabeu.