Benitez plans £8m move for Barcelona's France defender Abidal

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

• More Premier League news club by club

And he has set his sights on France international left-back Abidal, 28, who has been a regular for Barca since his arrival from Lyon last summer. Liverpool hope to recoup some of the fee by selling John Arne Riise to Portsmouth.

Scroll down for more

Top target: Benitez wants Abidal as his new left back

As Benitez pressed ahead with his summer spending plans, he was assured that Fernando Torres will be no one-season wonder.

Keeper and fellow-Spaniard Pepe Reina reflected on a remarkable first Barclays Premier League campaign for Liverpool's £21m record signing and predicted an even more prolific output from him next season.

'You have to remember that this is Fernando's first season in England so he will improve,' said Reina. 'As a player, you are always learning and always looking to get better, and that will be his goal for next season.

'English football was always going to be a new challenge for him, but he has adapted really well, better than anyone could have expected. You only need to look at the number of goals he has scored (32 overall) to see that.'