VILLA LINE UP ANFIELD DOUBLE SWOOP

Aston Villa and Spurs are ready to offer Harry Kewell a fresh start away from Anfield as Rafa Benitez targets left winger Florent Malouda. The Midlands club are exploring the possibility of signing both Kewell and Craig Bellamy over the summer.

Liverpool hope to double their money on the £6m they paid for Bellamy a year ago, but Kewell, with only a year left on his contract, would be available at a knockdown price. The Aussie showed signs he is fully recovered from injury during the closing weeks of the season, but he remains one of the club’s top earners and Benitez is ready to listen to offers. Tottenham, who showed an interest in the 28-year-old last summer, are also considering a move.

Benitez already has the untried left winger Sebastian Leto in the bag, and Lyon’s Malouda is also one of the Spaniard’s top targets. Benitez, currently on a family holiday, is waiting for the green light to proceed on the Malouda deal, which would cost around £10m. The Anfield boss is hoping a move can be finalised before the end of the week, but that depends on confirmation funds are in place to make such a purchase. Malouda has made no secret of his desire to leave France. A member of the French World Cup squad, the 26-year-old has enjoyed a superb season and has been on Benitez’s list of targets for the last few months.

Also under discussion have been West Ham’s Carlos Tevez and Roma’s exciting Brazilian winger Alesandro Mancini, who Benitez tried to sign two years ago. However, before supporters get too carried away, the combined cost of this attacking duo would be in excess of £30m, plus the demand of a hefty salary, shifting the focus yet again on how much Benitez actually has to spend. Benitez’s one guarantee of funds will come from player sales, which is why players like Kewell and Bellamy would be willingly sacrificed.

Meanwhile, Portsmouth and Newcastle are hoping to tempt Sami Hyypia away from Anfield, but Benitez is likely to keep the Finn for a final season at Anfield. Mark Gonzalez, Bolo Zenden and Robbie Fowler are already confirmed departures