Liverpool are stepping up plans to sign Valencia winger David Silva.

The Times says Liverpool will intensify their efforts to sign Silva, the Valencia playmaker, with Xabi Alonso expected to complete a £32 million move to Real Madrid next week.

The Spain midfield player is not expected to travel with the Liverpool squad for their pre-season tour to Asia tomorrow night. Real Sociedad, who sold Alonso for £10.5 million in August 2004, stood to receive 20 per cent of the transfer fee, but that agreement is scheduled to expire today.