Fulham have rejected a £4m bid by Liverpool for right-back Steve Finnan, paving the way for Manchester City to lure the Irishman to Maine Road.
The Daily Express newspaper claims Fulham want at least £7m for the highly-rated defender.
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Fulham right-back Steve Finnan
subject of Liverpool bid |
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But if Liverpool increase their offer, the London club have admitted that all players are for sale - at the right price.
Gerard Houllier is believed to have tabled the bid for Finnan last week only to be turned down by Fulham.
However, the Liverpool manager is likely to return with an improved offer for the attack-minded Finnan as part of the radical squad overhaul planned at Anfield.
Fulham have also paid £250,000 to Notts County to settle the sell-on clause in Finnan's contract at the end of last week, suggesting they player is likely to be sold.
"Nobody is untouchable - everybody has a price," a Fulham source is quoted as saying.
"There's nothing new in that. Silly money will tempt any club to sell. But it's a question of who you can find to replace the likes of Finnan."
The player wants talks with the management to find out what is happening.
"I've heard nothing, but I will ask the club if anything is going on.
"I've been linked with various clubs before and nothing has come of it, but it is curious the club have now settled with Notts County.
"I am happy at Fulham, but it is always a compliment to be linked with a club as big as Liverpool."
Finnan has been in impressive form for Fulham this season despite the Londoners' low league position and has caught the eye of Manchester City manager Kevin Keegan.
The City boss believes the Republic of Ireland international would be well-suited to the right-wing back role currently filled by Sun Jihai.