Agent: Reds still keen on Alves

Liverpool remain in the running to sign Sevilla defender Daniel Alves, according to the player’s agent.

Reds manager Rafael Benitez has been trying for several months to tie up a deal for the Brazilian, who can also play on the right of midfield, but has refused to meet the Spanish club’s £12m (€17.3m) asking price.

Liverpool have had two big offers rejected, and Benitez has been running out of patience, and is believed to have turned back to the prospect of trying to persuade Birmingham to part with Jermaine Pennant.

He has also been linked again with Real Betis winger Joaquin, but Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry has denied claims in Spain of a new bid.

Several other clubs are waiting in the wings to sign Alves, but the player’s agent Jose Rodriguez Baster insists the 23-year-old has his heart set on a move to Liverpool.

Baster told skysports.com: “It is true that at the moment there are difficulties with the deal. There is an economic difference between what Sevilla are demanding and what Liverpool are willing to pay.

“We need to try and reach a compromise and we will try to do this in the next few days.

“Liverpool is Daniel’s first option and he wants to play with them despite interest from other clubs.

“He wants to play in England and that is the most important thing. We are trying to make the operation happen.”

While Alves is clinging to his dream of a move to Anfield, outcast striker Djibril Cisse “already considers himself a Marseille player”, claims the French club’s chairman Pape Diouf.

Diouf revealed that he is talking to the French international every day.

Cisse was cruelly denied a chance to play in the World Cup – in which France have reached the final – because of a broken leg sustained days before the tournament started.

But Marseille have been working to clinch a year-long loan deal which is likely to come into operation in October when the player should have recovered from his injury.

Cisse has been told by Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez that he has no future at Anfield – a state of affairs which has caused the striker to angrily blast the Spanish coach for his attitude.

But Cisse, who was injured just days before Germany 2006, is resigned to a move to Marseille.

Diouf reveals in French newspaper l’Yonne-Republicaine: “We are very close to an agreement, and we think it will be a one-year loan deal.

“I still have a few details to discuss with (Liverpool chief executive) Rick Parry, this agreement has to be allowed by his board of directors but I hope it will be all right.

“Things can happen very quickly now. We will only announce Cisse’s signing after the papers have been signed.

“But I talk to Djibril every day on the phone, for him he is already a Marseille player.”

Liverpool, who have made three signings this week – Mark Gonzalez, Fabio Aurelio and Gabriel Paletta – have denied rekindling their interest in Joaquin, despite sources in Spain insisting that a bid has been made linking Jerzy Dudek, Boudewijn Zenden and Antonio Barragher as possible makeweights.

Parry said: “This is simply not true, we don’t know where this has come from.”

Joaquin has been quoted as saying he would only be interested if he cannot get a move to Real Madrid.