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Liverpool are ready to play hard ball over their number one defensive target Alberto Moreno.

The Reds have refused to be dragged into an auction for the Spanish international left back, and contrary to reports in Seville, have NOT agreed any fee for the 21 year old.

Instead, boss Brendan Rodgers is prepared to look elsewhere, after flatly refusing to meet Sevilla's inflated asking price of £18m for the inexperienced full back.

The two clubs have been involved in talks for the past fortnight, and Liverpool were even given permission to speak to the player, but there is still some distance between the two clubs' valuations.

Rodgers has become increasingly annoyed by apparent attempts to create an auction by Sevilla, who have tried to flog the player to a number of clubs, including Spurs.

(Image: PA)

And unless the Spanish club becomes more realistic over their valuation of the defender - who just missed the cut for his country's World Cup squad - then he will look at other targets.

Rodgers has long been an admirer of Chelsea's Ryan Bertrand, who was on loan last season at Villa, and could be available this summer for a fee of around £7million.

Jose Mourinho does not want to sell to a direct rival, but with the full back's contract ticking down and pressure from FIFA's financial fair play directive, Chelsea could be forced to do business.

Liverpool will continue to negotiate over Moreno, but the word from inside Anfield is that no deal is imminent, and there is unlikely to be any real progress in the coming days.

Rodgers is also locked in talks for Southampton's Adam Lallana and Dejan Lovren, and he is prepared to take all summer to ensure he gets his targets at a fair price.