Kyrgiakos 'accepts Liverpool offer'

19 August 2009 07:39
Greece defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos has claimed he is set for a surprise move to Liverpool from AEK Athens - however his club on Tuesday night said there was no agreement in place. The 30-year-old centre-back said farewell to his team-mates ahead of AEK's departure to Romania for the first leg of their Europa League play-off tie against SC Vaslui. Kyrgiakos said on his personal website, www.kyrgiakos.gr, that he is on his way to Anfield. "I would like to inform the fans of AEK that on Monday night I received an offer from Liverpool, an offer which I have accepted," he said. "I understand this has come at the worst possible time ahead of the crucial games for qualification to the Europa League, but the fact that I will play for Liverpool is like a qualification in itself for me. I have taken my final decision which was accepted by the president and the coach." However it appears the clubs have not agreed on a fee at this stage. An AEK club statement announced: "At this moment there is no final agreement between AEK and Liverpool FC." Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has been keen to buy a centre-back to ease the club's injury problems before the transfer window shuts. However Liverpool's American owners are believed to be refusing to release funds for such a deal. Benitez was on Tuesday asked several times at his media conference ahead of Wednesday's match against Stoke to explain his cash-flow problems, but on each occasion he said: "I do not want to discuss money." Kyrgiakos, who has 49 caps for Greece, will be joining his sixth club if the transfer is completed. The tough-tackling defender, admired for his combative style and aerial ability, has had successful spells at Rangers and Eintracht Frankfurt but has not played in England to date.

Source: Eurosport