Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez will launch a staggering £45million bid for Valencia striker David Villa in the January transfer window, according to reports today.

Reports in newspapers in both Spain and England suggest Benitez is now desperate to unite international teammates Villa with Fernando Torres at Anfield to become the most dangerous strike force in English football.

Rumours circulated at the end of the summer transfer window in August that Benitez has around £19million of transfer kitty left, after a failed attempt to capture Atletico Madrid winger Simao Sambrosa. Other reports speculate he doesn’t have a penny left to spend.

Villa has publicly announced his frustrations at Valencia this season after a rocky start has left them seventh in La Liga after five games.

The Reds however face stiff competition from the likes of Manchester Utd for the Spanish striker’s signature, although the lure of Benitez, Torres and fellow international teammates Pepe Reina and Albert Riera may be enough to tempt him to Anfield.