According to latest reports Liverpool have emerged as favourites to sign Portsmouth fullback Glen Johnson in a deal worth £17m. The 24 year old left Chelsea two years ago to join Portsmouth for just £4m. After an impressive season at Fratton Park last year, Johnson has attracted interest from a host of English and European clubs. Chelsea and Manchester City were also interested in the Pompey fullback and reports suggested that Chelsea were on the brink of signing the England international for £18m but it seems that Anfield is his preferred destination. With the financial turmoil at the club, Benitez has a very tight transfer kitty to operate with this term. The deal with Portsmouth in this respect seems to be relevant as Pompey are yet to pay an approximate of £7m from the Peter Crouch deal - that would nullify a good chunk of the transfer amount to be paid. The rest of the funds would be raised by selling Spanish fullback Alvaro Arbeloa and Italian Andrea Dossena with Real Madrid and Juventus the interested parties.