Reds accept Hoffenheim bid for Babel
Liverpool have confirmed they have accepted a bid from Bundesliga side Hoffenheim for wantaway forward Ryan Babel.
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German newspaper Bild reported on Tuesday that Babel was set for a €7 million move and that he was in Hoffenheim for a medical as the club look for a solution to their current injury crisis.
The club's billionaire owner Dietmar Hopp was quoted as saying: "We needed a striker because of the imminent departure of Demba Ba and the injury to Chinedu Obasi.
"Babel was the attacker we really wanted and sporting director [Ernst] Tanner is convinced he's the right man for us."
Liverpool have now confirmed that the Netherlands international will be allowed to leave Anfield, though his proposed move to Hoffenheim is dependent on him agreeing terms.
A statement on Liverpool's official website said: "Liverpool FC this afternoon announced they had accepted a bid from TSG 1899 Hoffenheim for the transfer of Dutch international Ryan Babel.
"The Bundesliga club have now been given permission to discuss personal terms with the player, who has travelled to Germany."
Babel joined Liverpool from Ajax in 2007 and revealed earlier on Tuesday that he was hopeful of securing a move back to his former club as part of a swap deal with Luis Suarez.
"The transfer of Suarez to Liverpool opens the door for me to go to Ajax," he told De Telegraaf. "If Liverpool and Ajax - whether in combination with Luis - can reach an agreement over me I will surely come to the club.
"For the chance to play I am willing to settle for far less pay. For a player of my age it is important to be playing week in week out."
But it now appears that a move to the Bundesliga is more likely than a return to the Eredivisie for Babel, a player who has failed to command a resular starting place under three Liverpool managers.
Rafa Benitez and Now caretaker manager Kenny Dalglish has decided he can do without the Dutchman, even though his side are only four points off the relegation zone and face fellow strugglers Wolves on Saturday.
Babel, who has scored 22 goals in 146 appearances for Liverpool, now looks to have played his last game for the club.
