Anfield calling for Kromkamp

Liverpool FC and Villarreal CF have reached an agreement for an exchange deal which will take Dutch international defender Jan Kromkamp to Anfield while Spanish right-back Josemi will move in the opposite direction, subject to the two players agreeing personal terms.

'Agreement between clubs'
Villarreal announced the exchange deal with their fellow UEFA Champions League contenders on their website, saying in a statement: "We have reached an agreement with Liverpool for the transfer of Jan Kromkamp and the arrival of Josemi. The agreement is between the clubs and must be agreed by both players." Liverpool confirmed on Friday evening that they have agreed personal terms with Kromkamp and said they hope to conclude the transfer next week.

Summer switch
Kromkamp moved to Villarreal from AZ Alkmaar in the summer but has struggled to settle at El Madrigal, making only six Primera División appearances, although he did also feature in four UEFA Champions League matches as the Spanish side claimed first position in Group D and a place in the last 16. The 25-year-old can play in either midfield or defence and has won eight caps for the Netherlands since making his debut in August 2004.

Injury problems
Spanish right-back Josemi was Rafael Benítez's first signing as Liverpool manager, the 26-year-old moving to England from Málaga CF for a €2.9m fee. The defender made 15 English Premiership appearances in 2004/05 but has made only three league starts in the current campaign. Josemi was an unused substitute in last season's UEFA Champions League final victory against AC Milan, but played all 120 minutes of the UEFA Super Cup win against PFC CSKA Moskva in August and has appeared against Real Betis Balompié and RSC Anderlecht in this season's UEFA Champions League.