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GABRIEL HEINZE is prepared to become the first player to move between Liverpool and Manchester United for 43 years as Fernando Torres is poised to complete his record-breaking move to Anfield.

Despite being a fans favourite at Old Trafford, Argentine left-back Heinze is prepared to face the wrath of the United faithful by moving to Rafael Benitez’s side and staying in the Premier League rather than joining one of his many suitors in Spain’s La Liga.

No direct transfer has taken place between the great North West rivals since Phil Chisnall moved down the East Lancs Road to sign for Bill Shankly in 1964.

Heinze’s representatives met with Old Trafford officials yesterday and were told that United will demand a £6million fee for his services but this will not deter Benitez.

The Spaniard has considerable funds at his disposal thanks to the financial backing of new US owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks and is hoping that Torres’s £26.5m switch will be completed this week.

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The Atletico Madrid striker has cut short his summer holiday in Polynesia to put the finishing touches to his transfer.

Liverpool sources have insisted there is no conflict over wages with the 23-year-old, as had been claimed, and he has verbally accepted around £90,000 a week. That will put him on a par with Jamie Carragher and Xabi Alonso, but short of Steven Gerrard’s new £120,000-a-week contract.

The deal which could eventually cost Liverpool £47m including wages could even be completed as early as today. Liverpool are so confident that Torres will now complete his signing when he returns from holiday, they have agreed to Luis Garcia’s exit deal in the opposite direction. The two moves are not officially linked, but Garcia’s agent, Manuel Garcia Quillon, yesterday said: "We are working on Luis’s permanent transfer to Atletico Madrid. If all goes well, the deal should be completed by tomorrow." Liverpool yesterday completed the formalities on the deals bringing teenagers Krisztian Nemeth and Andras Simon from MTK Hungaria, the moves being agreed several weeks ago. The pair starred for Hungary in last year’s UEFA Under-17 Championships and then impressed during a trial spell at Melwood. Both have signed three-year contracts and will start life at Liverpool as part of Gary Ablett’s reserve-team squad. Meanwhile, reports in Spain last night claimed that Liverpool centre-back Gabriel Paletta is set for a move to Valencia-based club Levante, initially on loan but with an option to a permanent switch. The 21-year-old Argentine has so far struggled to adapt to adapt to the English game following his £2m move from Banfield last summer and has started just two Premier League matches.