Brazilian Willian appeared to encourage Liverpool in their ambitious pursuit of him by admitting he would welcome a firm bid from Brendan Rodgers' side.

Liverpool have turned their attentions to Willian after he was put up for sale, with many teammates, by Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala.

Billionaire owner Suleyman Kerimov has pulled the purse strings tight and wants to recoup much of the £34million fee he paid Shakhtar Donetsk for Willian in January.

Willian is keen to come to England and, it seems, Anfield. He said: "There was a Manchester City bid, that was turned down and that was a while ago. Now I'm waiting for a new bid in the next days from a few clubs, like Liverpool.

"If it's really Liverpool, then it is surely a great club. I'm hopeful and very calm, waiting for the best.
England is my goal. Of course the English championship is the dream of many players and I'm no different.

"I like the Premier League very much, I enjoy the English football and certainly, if that happens, it will be very good for me and for my image. I'll grow professionally and in a World Cup year a move to England would be a showcase for me."

Liverpool have missed out on several targets this summer due to a lack of Champions League football but would pay about £30m for Willian and match his £100,000-a-week wages.

"He [owner Suleyman Kerimov] warned us," added Willian. "He is not wanting to give anyone for free, but made it clear that getting a good offer - an offer that at least comes close to the values he bought the players for - will help players go."

Source: Daily Express