Spanish Primera Liga side Valencia are reported to be close to signing Portugal winger and Benfica captain Simão Sabrosa, who has been a Liverpool target for some time.

Valencia's president, Juan Soler, said on Saturday that he hoped to formally announce the transfer in the very near future with a move expected to be completed within the next few days.

Simão, who is currently in Valencia with his agent, is thought to be signing for the Spanish side after an initial bid of £10.2 million (€15 million) was rejected by the Lisbon club, the ‘Chés’ have raised their bid to €18 million for a four-year contract
according to news reports in Spain.

The transfer would bring a return to Spain for the 26-year-old Portugal forward, who played for FC Barcelona from 1999-2001 before returning to his homeland to join Benfica after beginning his career with local rivals Sporting Lisbon.

Simão would be Valencia's third major signing of the close-season to replace Argentina international striker Pablo Aimar, who joined fellow Spanish club-side Zaragoza earlier on Saturday.

Liverpool, who have been chasing the signature of Simão for some time, were put off by the high price-tag for the talented winger, but Benitez would have liked to have shored-up his midfield after having also signed former Arsenal winger Jermaine Pennant from Birmingham City last week.

Liverpool have already offloaded Spanish striker Fernando Morientes to Valencia, with Chelsea defender Asier Del Horno also making a move to the Primera Liga side earlier this month.

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