Liverpool agree fee for ex-Boro star Downing

Former Middlesbrough player Downing has been a key summer target of Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish, and contract talks with the 26-year-old can now begin.

Liverpool said on their website they had been granted permission to discuss personal terms and arrange a medical.

Villa had rejected bids of £12m and £15m from Liverpool, and manager Alex McLeish insisted he wanted Downing to stay.

But Liverpool’s latest offer, which has not been disclosed by either club but has been reported to be worth £20m, proved irresistible given Downing has only two years remaining on his contract.

Arsenal were reported over the weekend to have joined the competition for Downing, who can play on either wing.

However, Villa denied receiving any offer from the Gunners, and the path appears clear for him to move to Anfield.

n Joey Barton and Nile Ranger will both miss Newcastle’s pre-season trip to the United States after being refused entry visas.

The pair will instead travel to Holland with Peter Beardsley’s reserve team squad.

Barton, 28, spent 74 days in jail in 2008 after admitting an assault charge, while Ranger, now 20, landed himself in trouble as a juvenile.

n Bradford City last night signed former England youth international Ritchie Jones on a one-year deal.

The 25-year-old midfielder started his career at Manchester United but failed to make a first-team appearance before moving on to Hartlepool United and Oldham Athletic, where last season he made 32 appearances.

Joint chairman Mark Lawn has also confirmed that the Bantams have bid for Dagenham & Redbridge defender Romain Vincelot but face competition from Brighton, Crystal Palace and Charlton Athletic.