Liverpool set to sign Kahn

Liverpool intend to complete the signing of Bayern Munich goalkeeper Oliver Kahn before FC Barcelona raise their interest in the goalkeeping star.

The German international has been approached to make an £8 million move from the Bundesliga club.

Kahn will decide his future after six years at the German club and his refusal to agree anew contract and has talked up a move to FC Barcelona but Liverpool have been tracking the German for months with extensive contact between the player and the UEFA Cup holders.

Bayern are set to begin a rebuilding of their squad with several senior players leaving as coach Ottmar Hitzfeld starts to build the next side. Their clinching of the Champions League has seen six new players join with the current team seen as at its peak and ready for changes before they are overtaken in Germany by Schalke 04 and Borussia Dortmund.

Against this background Liverpool have maintained their interest in Kahn who is Germany's national team goalkeeper after they succeeded last year in signing defender Markus Babbel in a free transfer from Bayern.

A goalkeeper has become a priority for Liverpool after Sander Westerveld's costly passes throughout the season. Despite their three cup wins in a new record season for the club, Kahn is seen as a more likely player to help the defence to a championship attempt.

More players could be added to that defence such as German veteran Jurgen Kohler but Kahn is the player Liverpool want to be behind their back line.