LIVERPOOL will offload Argentine winger Sebasti�n Leto for �3m as manager Rafael Ben�tez attempts clear out his squad in preparation for a David Silva bid.

LIVERPOOL will offload Argentine winger Sebasti�n Leto for �3m as manager Rafael Ben�tez attempts clear out his squad in preparation for a David Silva bid. (Telegraph)

The Merseyside club have accepted a bid of �3m from Greek side Panathinaikos, with the player claiming the deal is '90%' on.

Leto has made only four starts for Liverpool since arriving for �1.85m from Lan�s two years ago and spent last season on loan at Olympiakos, where the 22-year-old fell out with the coach Erneste Valverde.

Despite his initial problems Leto hopes to remain in Greece but due to the absence of a permanent offer from Olympiakos, is close to joining their fierce rivals.

With Alvaro Arbeloa also close to a �5m move to Real Madrid, Ben�tez's prospects of following the �17m purchase of Glen Johnson with another big-money signing have increased. Valencia's David Silva remains a leading target.

“There are negotiations between Panathinaikos and Liverpool and as far as I know the two sides are very close to a deal,” said Leto. “I think that the possibilities of playing at Panathinaikos next season are more than 90 per cent. I have been waiting for something from Olympiakos all these weeks but they haven't made a move for me so far. It's not a matter of money. I wanted to stay at Olympiakos but since they don't want to sign me I have to think about my future.”