REDS TO RENEW SIMAO CHASE

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is set to turn his attentions towards signing Benfica winger Simao Sabrosa after Lyon slapped a £17million price tag on Florent Malouda.

The Reds had been hoping to complete a £8million swoop for France international midfielder Malouda who has signalled his intention to move to the Premiership. But with Chelsea and Arsenal also believed to be interested in the 27-year-old, Lyon chairman Jean-Michel Aulas is keen to engineer a bidding war.

Aulas said: “I'm waiting on a call from an English club so we can sort out a meeting. The transfer could move forward if there is an offer that comes close to the price I've fixed.On player values, I seldom get it wrong and today Malouda is worth £17million.”

The Reds are unlikely to consider paying such an inflated price for Malouda, especially as Simao would be available for around £11million. The 27-year-old Portugal international has been strongly linked with a move to Anfield in the past and is again the subject of intense transfer speculation in his homeland.

Lyon and Paris Saint-Germain have made contact with the Benfica captain’s representatives but he has told them he isn’t interested in making the switch to France. England remains his preferred destination but Benfica don’t want to sell and have made it clear that it will take a big offer to prise him away.

Club president Luis Filipe Vieira said: “We are not interested in selling Simao and will only study the subject if an incredible offer arrives. At this moment we have not received anything.” Simao, who has scored 81 goals in 213 games for Benfica, is under contract under 2012.