PICTURE EXCLUSIVE: Liverpool close on out-of-contract Reading ace Pearce after meeting in swanky London hotspot
Liverpool have stepped up their pursuit of Reading defender Alex Pearce.
Pearce is out of contract in the summer and was last week seen with the club's managing director Ian Ayre in plush Mayfair hotspot Novikov – as our exclusive picture reveals.
The meeting fuels growing speculation that Pearce could be set for a reunion with former boss Brendan Rodgers.
Rodgers is an admirer of the 24-year-old from their time at Reading together and made Pearce his captain in 2009.
Liverpool signed Kolo Toure from Manchester City earlier this week but are still in the market for centre-backs with continued speculation over the future of Martin Skrtel and the retirement of Jaime Carragher.
Pearce’s age and the fact he will be able to move for free also fits the transfer policy of Liverpool’s owners Fenway Sports Group.
Reading have not given up hope of convincing Pearce to commit his future to the club, despite 12 months of unfruitful contract talks.
Manager Nigel Adkins told Pearce, in a one-on-one meeting before the end of the season, that he would like him to stay and be an integral part of the team that tries to win promotion back to the Premier League next season.
But Pearce is keeping his options open and still feels the latest offer on the table – believed to be around £20,000 a week – does not give him parity with the club’s top earners.
Daily Mail
