Simao poised for Liverpool switch

Simao Sabrosa appears set to join Liverpool from Benfica after the Portuguese Football Federation gave permission for the forward to undergo a medical for the Anfield side.

The 25-year-old will return to Portugal later today to rejoin the national side as they prepare for Saturday’s World Cup qualifying game against Luxembourg.

Simao joined Benfica in the summer of 2001 after a two-year spell at Barcelona, with reports suggesting a move would cost Liverpool £10m (€14m).

The Portuguese Football Federation announced on their website, www.fpf.pt, they have authorised the player to travel to Liverpool for the medical.

Simao came through the Sporting Lisbon youth system before moving to Barcelona in a 10million euros deal in 1999.

After two campaigns in Spain, he returned to his homeland with Benfica, who he helped to win the 2004 Portuguese Cup and last season’s Superliga title.

He made his debut for Portugal in 1998 but was not included in the country’s Euro 2000 squad and missed the World Cup two years later through injury.

Simao did play for his national team when they hosted Euro 2004 and finished runners-up to Greece.

The federation said in a statement on Wednesday: “The Benfica forward Simao Sabrosa has been authorised to be temporarily absent from national team training to travel to Liverpool so he can undergo a medical.

“The national team coach (Luiz Felipe Scolari) accepted the player’s request and it’s expected that the Portuguese international will return later this afternoon in time to begin training at 1730.”