Liverpool’s quest for a new centre-back and right-winger – all along supposedly more important than a move for Michael Owen – has moved into it’s last half-day.

In fact for Liverpool to sign anyone now before the transfer window closes at midnight is looking increasingly unlikely. Some reports are saying Liverpool have made a bid of £10million for Benfica’s captain Simão Sabrosa.

Sabrosa has been a Benfica player since 2001 when the  Portugese club paid around £6.8million to sign him from Barcelona. The 25-year-old was originally on the books at Benfica’s rivals Sporting Lisbon – a product of their youth academy. He spent only a year at Barcelona. Previous graduates of Sporting’s youth set-up include Figo and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Sabrosa is a fast player, happy to play on either wing or even as a more central attacking midfielder. If the reports are true and Liverpool are successful, then he will bring a great deal of quality to the side. Liverpool had an earlier bid of under £7million rejected by Benfica, and will need to show more urgency than they seemed to over Michael Owen if they are to agree everything and get medicals performed today.