Reds told to hurry for Babel

Liverpool have been urged to tie up a deal for Ajax forward Ryan Babel by the end of the weekend.

According to Dutch newspaper AD Sportwereld, the Reds have increased their offer for the 20-year-old by €2m to €17m (£11.5m).

Babel’s representative Winnie Haatrecht is keen to push the transfer through quickly with the player due to report back to Ajax on Monday for the first time since the European Under-21 Championships.

“We need to have an agreement before Monday,” said Haatrecht.

“And to go to Ajax first and go away again after that is something we don’t want.”

But Haatrecht is happy with the speed at which dealings have taken place so far with the Merseysiders.

“If all is good in a transfer, it always goes fast,” he said.

“Up until now it indeed looks as if the speed is right, that’s a good sign. But there is no white smoke yet, so we will wait and see what happens.”

Liverpool have also signed 17-year-old Millwall striker David Amoo for an undisclosed fee and he will start training at the club's academy today.

Academy head of recruitment Malcolm Elias said: “David is an exciting young talent with fantastic physical prowess.”

Two youth team players, goalkeeper Martin Hansen and striker Michael Collins, have signed their first professional contracts after turning 17.

Liverpool’s backroom team has also been strengthened with Spaniard Angel Vales appointed as reserve team coach and head of technical analysis.

The 40-year-old, who has worked at clubs in Spain and Portugal and has been teaching football at degree level at the University of La Coruna, said: “I am delighted that the boss has chosen me for this position and has faith in me to make it a success.”