Rodgers swoops for £2.3m ace Assaidi

Morocco's Oussama Assaidi should sign for Liverpool today (Getty Images)

Liverpool are set to make their third signing of the summer with the addition of Heerenveen's Morocco forward Oussama Assaidi for a fee of around £2.3m.

Assaidi, 24, has been linked with Fulham, as well as Ajax, Spartak Moscow and Galatasaray, this summer but is set for a medical at Melwood and the deal could be completed today.

The former De Graafschap player would give new manager Brendan Rodgers a variety of forward options and is likely to join new arrivals, Italy striker Fabio Borini and Wales midfielder Joe Allen, at the club.

Liverpool, whose first Premier League match under Rodgers is at West Bromwich Albion tomorrow, are also confident of tying up a season-long loan deal for the Real Madrid midfielder Nuri Sahin, who was previously expected to join Arsenal.

The Real Madrid coach, Jose Mourinho, has recommended that the Turkey international, who struggled with injuries after moving to the Bernabeu from Borussia Dortmund last summer, switches to Merseyside. Former Liverpool player Xabi Alonso has also attempted to persuade Sahin that he should head to Anfield.

Rodgers was given a transfer budget in the region of £20m this summer but he is adamant that his playing system can help Liverpool bridge the gap to the Premier League's top four.

"The top four is certainly not something we'll shy away from," he said. "It's where a club of this status wants to be, but it's always easier said than done. The reality over the past three seasons or so hasn't been that."