Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has joined the race to sign Real Betis star Joaquin and hopes to persuade the player to snub Real Madrid and Chelsea.
The Anfield manager is keen to add to his Spanish contingency and Betis president Manuel Ruiz de Lopera says that he has now come in for Joaquin.
The Spanish international winger has been the subject of interest from Chelsea throughout the season and the Andalucian club were reported to have turned down a substantial offer from The Blues in January.
The player himself has always stated his desire to join Real Madrid, the club he supports, and it is well known that Florentino Perez is a fan of his.
But Benitez has made his admiration of Joaquin clear and Lopera says that he is already expecting an offer from the Premiership club in the summer.
"There is an English club, with a great Spanish coach. He has just taken his team to the final of the Champions League and knows our market very well and he wants to ensure that Joaquin does not go to Chelsea or Madrid," Lopera revealed.
"It is not always possible to turn down offers and here at Betis we are not going to say that he is not for sale and then go and sell him."
Benitez already has a host of Spaniards at the club but Joaquin is a more recognised name and is hot property in Europe, although The Reds may find it hard to match the financial muscle of real and Chelsea should a bidding war ensue.
Anyone seen him play he is outstanding, if he is going to be the type of player Rafa wants to get in at the end of the season then I see very exciting times ahead
Will be hard to compete with the best in europe for him though, then again european champions?
