Paletta ready to open Liverpool talks

Argentinian club Banfield have announced defender Gabriel Paletta will travel to England at the weekend to open talks with Liverpool.

Paletta was instrumental in Argentina winning the Under-20 World Cup last year and Banfield’s official website reports the player will start negotiations with the European champions in the next few days with a view to a transfer in June.

“Paletta will travel to England to discuss terms with Liverpool club executives,” said a statement on www.clubabanfield.com.ar.

“He will travel on Sunday after the game against River Plate.

“The English club want him to undergo a medical before discussing personal terms.”

Paletta, 20, is hoping to get the chance to prove himself in the Premiership.

He said: “It would be a great opportunity. It would be a good move for the club as well as for me.”

Banfield president Carlos Portell added in Argentinian newspaper Ole: “The discussions are very advanced.

“The only remaining things to be sorted are the minor details but I don’t think they will be a problem.

“God willing, we will have everything sorted out before the end of the weekend.”

Ole reports the transfer fee to be in the region of €3m.