Craig Bellamy close to sealing a second stint at Liverpool
Craig Bellamy last night took a step closer to making a shock return to Liverpool after Manchester City agreed to let him leave for nothing.
City are prepared to negotiate a settlement with Bellamy to cover the remaining 10 months of his £95,000-a-week contract to get him off their wage bill.
This will clear the way for the Wales striker to return to Anfield on a free transfer four years after he was sold by Rafa Benitez.
Kop boss Kenny Dalglish is interested in signing Bellamy but is not prepared to pay a fee for the much-travelled hitman.
However, the Reds face competition from Tottenham and Harry Redknapp would also like to snatch Bellamy on a free.
Bellamy, 32, is understood to prefer a move to Liverpool instead of Celtic despite Neil Lennon being keen on landing the Welshman.
The Merseysiders will now wait for Bellamy to agree his pay-off with City before offering him a lucrative one-year deal with the option of an extension.
The Blues are prepared to waive a transfer fee for Bellamy because Roberto Mancini has made it clear he wants rid of him.
Wales boss Gary Speed claims Liverpool would be the perfect move for Bellamy.
He said: "It's only natural Craig is going to be linked with top clubs because he is a top player.
"Liverpool are an absolutely fantastic club and if that's true that would be great for him."
