Liverpool's search for new players who will help to keep Roy Hodgson's job safe has begun, as the Reds have reportedly agreed terms with Dutch winger Eljero Elia.
Elia has been linked with Liverpool for a while, but up until now it has only been rumours. Now, it looks as if the rumours are finally coming true, as sources in Germany- home of his current club Hamburg, suggest that the pacey winger has been subject to a £13 million bid from the Merseyside club and have agreed personal terms with the 23 year-old.
Elia would be a ideal addition to the Liverpool side who massively lack natural wingers and players who are actually willing to play on the wing. Joe Cole has again expressed his desire to hold a central attacking role in the Liverpool side, and with Babel also preferring a central role, Hodgson knew he needed a natural wide man. The team have also lacked creativity and pace and after seeing Elia in the World Cup for Holland, he certainly has pace in abundance and the ability create chances for his team mates.
Elia has scored a career total of 27 goals while mounting a good assist total of 22, and in 2009 was awarded the Johan Cruijff Award for "Young Player of the Year" in the Netherlands - an award that has previously been won by Arsenal legends Dennis Bergkamp and Marc Overmars as well as Robin van Persie, Arjen Robben and Rafael van der Vaart.