Agger deal imminent

Last updated : 11 January 2006 By Adam Bryant
The 21-year old Danish defender is currently at Melwood completing a medical before his £5.8million transfer is finalised.

"Daniel is a player we have been following for a long time," confirmed Rafael Benitez. "We first spoke to Brondby about the player when we were in Monaco playing the Super Cup final. At that time, their chairman said he wasn't for sale.

"We scouted Daniel for a long time but then he picked up an injury. When he returned to fitness we watched his first game back and we knew he was at the kind of level we require, even though he played only 25 minutes.

"We've been told he's one of the best centre-halves in Denmark for 20 years. A lot of scouts have spoken highly of him and there has been lots of interest from other clubs.

"I wouldn't say he was a particularly aggressive style of player. I think he is a very clever type of defender.

"His positional sense is very good, for example, and he reads the game well. Of course, there are areas he needs to improve, but he is young and we will help him.

"He will be an option for the first team within a short space of time."