Rafa to break bank for Silva

Spanish giants Valencia are bracing themselves for a record bid from Liverpool for leading Spain international David Silva.

According to the Liverpool Echo, Rafael Benitez, who is armed with a new contract at Anfield, is prepared to dump most of his transfer budget on the £25million-rated Silva.

His budget is believed to be £30m - but it could increase if Tom Hicks and George Gillett successfully raise money by selling their stakes in their American franchises.

Reports in Spain suggest the Primera Liga outfit are holding out for a fee in the region of £25m for Silva and with Barcelona and Juventus also both believed to be interested in snapping him up the battle for his services could be hard fought.

Liverpool are also believed to be on the trail of Valencia defender Raul Albiol.

Valencia have hit massive financial difficulties in recent months and are set to sell crown jewels Silva, David Villa and Raul Albiol in an effort to bring their debt of 450m euros under control.

It is Silva who has caught Benitez's eye though, with the Liverpool manager on the lookout for a versatile attacking player who can figure in a number of positions behind Fernando Torres as he looks to add strength in depth to his squad.

The 23-year-old certainly fits that bill and Liverpool have already made tentative enquiries about his availability.

They will only follow up their initial interest if Valencia are realistic about their valuation of a player who has won 21 caps for Spain.

Liverpool are unlikely to be willing to pay that kind of asking price but Benitez will move fast it a compromise deal can be struck.

Reds chief scout Eduardo Macia - who took Silva to Valencia when the attacking midfielder was a teenager - was recently dispatched to Spain to check on Silva's availability and was not discouraged by what he learned.

Silva was one of the stars of Spain's victory at Euro 2008, operating in a left sided attacking role which allowed him to support Torres and Villa at every opportunity.

An ankle injury has stopped him from making as many appearances as would have been expected for Valencia this season.

But the midfielder returned to action in January and is currently training with the Spanish national squad ahead of this weekend's World Cup qualifier against Turkey