Standard Liege striker Milan Jovanovic has confirmed he will join Liverpool (7/1 favourites with Totesport to win the Europa League, Standard Liege 66/1) on a free transfer in the summer.

Reds boss Rafa Benitez had identified the Serbia international as the sort of player to improve his striking options next season and it appears he has got his man.

The 28-year-old, who had also been linked with AC Milan, Juventus and Valencia, rejected the chance to join Real Madrid last year and says he has signed a three-year contract at Anfield because Liverpool are “one of the biggest teams in Europe”.

He told Belgian newspaper Sporza: “We have reached an agreement for three years, with the option to extend with another season.”

“I opted to sign for Liverpool because they’re one of the biggest teams in Europe – definitely in the top 10.”

Benitez, however, looks set to miss out on Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh, who was another player the Spanish coach had hoped to land on a free transfer over the summer.

The Morocco international is expected to join Arsenal instead, who Liverpool meet at the Emirates in a crunch top-four clash on Wednesday night (Arsenal evens, Liverpool 11/4, the draw 12/5 on Totesport’s midweek match list.

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