Benitez looks to the future

Rafael Benitez is not only bidding to break Liverpool's transfer record with the signing of Spanish striker Fernando Torres, but he is also bolstering the club's youth set-up.

While Liverpool wait for the final details of their £26.5million deal that will bring Torres to Anfield, yet another youngster has announced he is on the way to Merseyside.

The latest is CSKA Sofia midfielder Mihail Alexandrov, who has announced that he has agreed a deal to move to Anfield. The 18-year-old has told Bulgarian radio that he has already passed a medical with Benitez's outfit.

Alexandrov revealed that he will finish his current youth season with CSKA before linking up with Liverpool.

He said: "Everything is done - I've passed a medical, agreed terms, the only thing left is to sign the contract.

"Even in my most optimistic dreams, I never thought I would move to a club this big."

Alexandrov's capture is Liverpool's second raid on Bulgaria following the signing of Levski goalkeeper Nikolai Mihkaylov last week.

In the last few days the arrivals of youngsters Dani Pacheco, Alex Kacaniklic, Marvin Purie, Mikel San Jose, Krisztian Nemeth and Andras Simon have all been confirmed.

It is the latest move by Benitez to bolster the back-up players at Anfield.

During the now infamous Benitez tirade the day after the club's Champions League final defeat in Athens, Benitez not only pleaded for more cash to bring in top line players who can win titles, but he also decried the quality coming through the ranks at Anfield.