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LIVERPOOL’S Scott Carson is close to agreeing a season loan with Aston Villa – with Lens keeper Charles Itandje lined up as a possible replacement.

Rafa Benitez has made it clear he doesn’t want to sell the young keeper, but talks are ongoing with the Reds’ opening day opponents, with a temporary switch edging closer.

Villa have been tracking Carson all summer and wanted a permanent transfer, but their valuation of the Under-21 keeper is well below Liverpool’s.

Benitez has met with Carson and told him he sees his long term future at Anfield. However, the 21-year-old has his sights on this year’s European Championships and is worried about his short-term international prospects.

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Now the Anfield boss is considering a compromise, allowing Carson to move to Villa Park to ensure he gets regular first team football this season.

The concern for Benitez is attracting high quality goalkeeping cover for Pepe Reina should Carson join Villa.

A deal for Carson is sure to see Liverpool go back into the transfer market, and the speed with which a replacement can be found will determine whether the number two stopper leaves before or after the Champions League qualifiers.

Even if Carson did move to the Midlands before the weekend, he would be ineligible to face Liverpool.

Meanwhile, Gabriel Heinze is remaining resolute in his ambition to join Liverpool, despite frantic attempts by Manchester United to force him into a rethink.

Heinze has been made numerous offers to stay at Old Trafford and avoid the embarrassment of a club versus player Premiership hearing.

But the pleas are falling on deaf ears. He’s determined to complete the move to Merseyside, and hopes United will relent before the adjudication panel sits on August 22.