Babel wants quick deal

Dutch newspaper AD Sportwereld claims that the Reds have tabled an increased offer of 17 million euros for the Holland Under-21 star in a bid to lure him to Anfield.

And agent Winnie Haatrecht is hoping that will be enough to tempt Ajax to part company with the 20-year-old before he returns for pre-season training with the Dutch club next week.

"We need to have an agreement before Monday," Haatrecht said.

"And to go to Ajax first and go away again after that is something we don't want."

Following a series of impressive performances at this summer's Euro Under-21 Championship, Babel has become one of the hottest properties in European football, with Arsenal and Newcastle also both reportedly interested.

But Haatrecht s confident a move to Anfield can be thrashed out, saying that up until now everything has progressed smoothly.

He said: "If all is good in a transfer, it always goes fast.

"Up until now it indeed looks as if the speed is right, that's a good sign. But there is no white smoke yet, so we will wait and see what happens."