By Mark Heys
August 24 2005

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has confirmed that the club has held preliminary talks with Bolton about the possibility of signing their midfielder Stelios Giannakopoulos. The Greek midfielder has been linked with a move to Anfield all summer with Benitez finally confirming that the Euro 2004 star was high on the Reds agenda prior to the closure of the transfer window next week.

Any talk of a move to Merseyside was previously dismissed by the respective clubs but both sets of managers and chairmen have held discussions regarding Giannakopoulos situation according to the Liverpool boss Benitez.

"Our chief executive Rick Parry is talking with their Chairman about the possibility of a deal,".

"I also spoke to Sam Allardyce about the player last night (Tuesday) because we need to know if he'd be available. At this moment Stelios is one possibility for us. We are working hard to strengthen the squad before the deadline." said Benitez

Giannakopoulos was also targeted by Manchester City earlier on this month but Bolton were unappreciative towards how the Blues conducted their initial interest in the player.

Liverpool then returned as possible suitors for the Greek star a few days ago after missing out on experienced duo Luis Figo and Nolberto Solano earlier on this summer. It goes without saying that Bolton do not want to sell the winger but the lure of a return to Champions League football may prove too strong to resist for the 31-year old.