Liverpool Transfer News: Barcelona's Eric Abidal Wanted by LFC, Darren Bent News

News of a surprise new transfer target for Kenny Dalglish and Liverpool hit the media today as the Reds were linked with an end-of-season swoop for FC Barcelona left-back Eric Abidal.

Metro claims that both Liverpool and Premier League leaders Manchester City have registered their interest in taking the Frenchman to England come the end of the current La Liga campaign, when Abidal's contract will expire with the Catalan club.

This comes despite both Liverpool and City signing new left-backs just last summer; the Reds brought in former Newcastle United full-back Jose Enrique, who has starred for them this season, while City brought in Arsenal left-back Gael Clichy to add competition to £17 million defender Alex Kolarov, who joined a year previous.

The report states that Abidal is to be offered a two-year extension to his current contract in the summer but has asked for more time to consider his future.

At 32 years of age, Abidal is not likely to be a long-term solution to either club, or indeed Barcelona if he stays, but his ability to play centrally as well as on the left has apparently appealed to both clubs.

After being diagnosed with a liver tumour last season, Abidal recovered sufficiently to play his part in Barcelona's successful end to the season where they won both the Spanish domestic championship and the UEFA Champions League.

In other news, Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish has stated that Reds boss Kenny Dalglish has told him that Liverpool are not targeting English striker Darren Bent.

Some recent reports had gone as far as saying that the move was a done deal, but on the evidence of McLeish's recent chatter, this was way past premature and into the land of falsehoods.

Where the Eric Abidal story will also likely join it soon enough.