Liverpool have been linked with a move for out-of-favour Manchester City midfielder Stephen Ireland.
The former Irish international has found himself on the fringes at Eastlands since the arrival of Roberto Mancini, and Liverpool are one of the sides linked with a move for the 23-year-old.
A product of the Cobh Ramblers in County Cork, Ireland joined the Citizens Academy as a teenager back in 2001.
Graduating to the senior side in 2005, Ireland has gone on to make over 135 league appearances for the Premier League side, scoring 16 goals in the process.
This season has seen far less involvement after the arrival of Italian Mancini, with only 2 goals in 20 appearances for the fourth place chasers.
Ireland also had a fine international record with four goals in six appearances, but he announced his retirement from the Republic of Ireland side in 2007 after personal issues that led to a squad withdrawl and future problems.
The Sunday Mirror claims that Rafael Benitez will make his move for Ireland in the summer, if still in charge at Anfield. The paper also claims that Everton are also considering a possible move when the transfer window re-opens.
