Liverpool set to sign Irish international defender on a free transfer

Liverpool are set to sign Reading defender Alex Pearce on a free transfer after reportedly telling the club he is looking to leave the relegated outfit.

By Declan Whooley

The move will come as a surprise to some with the 24 year-old part of a Reading defence that has struggled in the Premier League this season.

Voted the players as the club player of the year last season, he has featured 19 times in the league this season, while he also made a goal scoring international debut against Oman back in September.

Pearce, who had been capped underage by Scotland, has not played for the Royals since a 4-1 defeat to Arsenal at the end of March and had been in discussions with the club over a contract extension.

Various reports in England today say the deal is all but done after rejecting eight different offers from the club, with wages believed to be the main sticking point. Former Royals boss Brendan Rodgers is also thought to be interested in bring goalkeeper Alex McCarthy to Anfield in a double swoop on his former club.

He is expected to provide cover for Liverpool in the central defensive position, especially with Jamie Carragher retiring at the end of the season.

It will be interesting to see if Pearce will be able to force his way into first-team action next season.