Liverpool serious about signing Madjid Bougherra

Liverpool is chasing Algeria’s international and Rangers defender Madjid Bougherra; it will launch a summer swoop for him if Rafa Benitez keeps his job at Anfield.

• Farid Riad, Bougherra’s agent, has confirmed the interest of Liverpool in the ex-Charlton Athletic stopper.
• “There is serious interest from three clubs and Liverpool’s is the strongest but it depends on the future of Benitez,” Riad told the Daily Record. “Panathinaikos are also interested as are Fenerbahce.”
• Three top clubs are chasing rangers’ Algerian defender – Greek double winners Panathinaikos and Turkish aces Fenerbahce have also intimated an interest to his agents – but Liverpool is leading the race and will hold the greatest appeal for Bougherra, who has made no secret of his desire to play for a top Premiership club.
• Benitez has been credited with an interest in Gers’ young central defender Danny Wilson and is even keener to land experienced Bougherra. Algerian agent Farid Riad swore the stopper was 90 per cent certain to leave Ibrox despite having two years left on his contract.
• Walter Smith would look for around £6million but Lloyds Banking Group might settle for £4m.
• Speaking in Algeria, where he struck a sponsorship deal yesterday, Bougherra admitted he loves life at Rangers but does not know where his future lies.
• He said; “I have matured and evolved at the club. Now we’ll see what my future is and where my destiny lies.”