By CALEB SONNELAND
Liverpool looks set to add yet another new face to its expanding roster this summer.
Stewart Downing appears to be on his way to the Anfield outfit after Aston Villa and Liverpool agreed a fee for the winger yesterday believed to be in the region of up to £20 million.
Kenny Dalglish had initially had offers of £12 million and £15 million knocked back by the Villains, however the latest offer was simply too good to refuse for the club — despite Alex McLeish claiming the want-away winger wasn't for sale.
Downing submitted a transfer request which forced the hand of Villa and the player looks set to follow the likes of Jordan Henderson and Charlie Adam to Anfield.
Here are some other stories to get your Thursday rolling along:
MODRIC JOINS TOTTENHAM SUMMER TOUR
In what is turning out to be one of the bigger transfer sagas of the summer, Tottenham midfielder Luka Modric has traveled with the squad to South Africa for its pre-season tour.
Modric has continually stated his unhappiness at Spurs to the press and has attracted heavy interest from Chelsea, which has tabled offers of £22 million and £27 million for the Croatian playmaker.
While his future is still very much in the air, Modric has stuck to his word and continued on with Tottenham on its summer tour. It remains to be seen where the player ends up, but if Chelsea make an appetizing bid for the player, club Chairman Daniel Levy just may have to budge.
With reports that Modric handed in a transfer request within the last 24 hours, it doesn't seem long before he is donning the Chelsea blue.
AGUERO DEFINITELY LEAVING ATLETICO
Speaking of protracted transfer sagas, Sergio Aguero has publicly stated his time with the Madrid-based club is at an end.
The Argentine striker says his future will be determined after the Copa America, but one thing is clear: Aguero will not be returning to Atletico Madrid for the 2011-2012 season.
Real Madrid, Chelsea and Manchester City have remain the most interested parties, and it is likely that the young striker will end up at one of those destinations.
However, a deal for Aguero would likely have to be in the range of £40 – £50 million in order to orchestrate a move.
BAYERN SIGNS BOATENG
Bayern Munich has landed German national team defender Jerome Boateng, signing the fullback away from Manchester City for a reported fee of 13.5 million euros.
Bayern has needed a fullback to partner with Phillip Lahm and lands a good one in Boateng, who struggled for minutes with City last season.
RIISE SEALS FULHAM SWITCH
Former Liverpool man, John Arne Riise has completed a transfer from Roma to Fulham.
Despite signing Carlos Salcido just last August, it was widely reported that the Mexican was homesick and wished for a return to his native country.
Riise's brother, Bjorn, currently plays for the Cottagers, and John Arne is eager to get his English Premiership career rebooted and running smoothly.
The 30-year-old has signed on for an undisclosed fee but addresses an immediate void following the imminent departure of current left-back Salcido.
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Do you think Downing is worth £20 million? Think Modric is on his way to Chelsea or not? Where do you think Aguero will end up?