Liverpool is finally set to strengthen its left flank with the signing of Espanyol midfielder Albert Riera.

A fee is yet to be agreed for the 26-year-old Spain international, but the Reds are very close to completing the transfer, a source at the English Premier League club said yesterday. He was speaking on condition of anonymity because negotiations were continuing.

The signing would be some consolation to manager Rafa Benitez, who was reportedly denied the funds by the team owners to buy midfielder Gareth Barry from Aston Villa in the English offseason's most drawn-out transfer saga.

Riera, who spent five months on loan at Manchester City in 2006, was also linked with Liverpool's crosstown rival Everton, which reportedly offered more money than LFC.

Riera was omitted from Spain's successful European Championship squad.

Also, former Liverpool striker Milan Baros has signed for defending Turkish champion Galatasaray from Lyon.

The 27-year-old Czech international agreed to a three-year contract, the Istanbul-based club said on its Website yesterday. He was expected to join the team tomorrow. It was not clear how much Galatasaray would pay French club Lyon as transfer fee.

Meanwhile, former Brazil striker Rivaldo has stunned AEK Athens by announcing that he is leaving the Greek club after just one season to join an Asian team.

The 36-year-old did not name the club but Greek media reports indicated it was the Uzbekistan side Bunyodkor, which last month claimed it had signed Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o.

"It was a difficult decision to make but I have received an offer that is very good for my career," the World Cup winner told Greek radio station Novosport FM yesterday.

"I had a great time at AEK. I thank the president and the fans but the offer is very good for me and my family.

"It is a very good proposal and I cannot turn it down. I would like to ask for a million apologies because there is so little time in the transfer window for the club to replace me but it was an exceptional proposal," the Brazilian said.

AEK, however, insists that Rivaldo will not leave unless coach Georgos Donis can sign a replacement.

"Rivaldo wants to leave but in spite of what he says, he remains under contract to AEK until the end of this season and will only go if the club gets a replacement," a club spokesman said.

"If he does go it will be with a transfer fee and not as a free transfer."

AEK faces Cypriot side Omonia in the second leg of its second round UEFA Cup qualifying tie today hoping to overturn a 0-1 deficit.

Rivaldo, who was a member of the Brazil side that won the World Cup in 2002, arrived in Greece in 2004 and spent three seasons at Olympiakos before moving to AEK at the start of the last campaign.

(Agencies via Shanghai Daily August 27, 2008)