体坛英语新闻：Agger next in line as Barca look to sign central defender?

MADRID, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- FC Barcelona's continued search for a central defender ahead of the new season has taken them to Liverpool if the representative of Danish international defender Daniel Agger is to be believed.

Speaking to the English newspaper the Daily Mail, Agger's agent, Per Steffenson was quoted as saying, "we know that Barca have made an offer and that Liverpool have rejected it."

However, despite the fact that Liverpool are keen to hold onto the defender, Steffenson added that the first rejection of an offer believed to be in the region of 20 million Euros, did not mean that deal was dead in the water.

"It is a question of the two clubs negotiating a price for his transfer and all of this can change," he said.

The declarations are proof that Barca are continuing to search for a player who will provide cover in central defense for the new season which kicks off on August 17.

Barcelona currently only have Gerard Pique, youngster Marc Bartra and 34-year-old captain, Carles Puyol on their books as specialized central defenders, with Javier Mascherano having played as a converted center-half for the past two years.

The fact that Puyol has suffered a pair of serious knee injuries and has not played 50 percent of matches over the past two years is a source of worry at Barcelona as an injury to Pique would leave them very short of experienced cover.

The club has been searching for a central defender all summer and their main target was Paris Saint Germain's Thiago Silva, until Paris refused any attempts at negotiation and gave Silva a new contract which ended any chance of him leaving.

Barca have also been linked with Chelsea's David Luiz, but so far Chelsea coach, Jose Mourinho: who returned to Chelsea from Real Madrid this summer and who has no love for Barca has also refused their overtures, despite offers in the region of 35 million Euros.

With a shrinking number of players who could fit into their style of play, Barca have not turned their attention to Agger, although Tottenham Hotspurs' Jan Vertonghen and Arsenal's Thomas Vermaelen have also been mentioned as possible targets.

Liverpool meanwhile are currently battling to keep striker Luis Suarez at Anfield in the face of offers from Arsenal and interest from Real Madrid and allowing Agger to leave now would improve Suarez's case as he looks to abandon the English club.