Macca can celebrate New Year's pay

Steve McManaman becomes British football's hottest transfer property today with his future likely to be determined by the end of the month.

The Liverpool winger, out of contract at Anfield at the end of the current season, is free to sign a binding "pre-contract" agreement with any foreign club from today.

He has also attracted intense interest from Chelsea and Arsenal, although he has privately ruled out the possibility of moving to either of the London giants. And, although the common conception has been that the 26-year-old is certain to be playing in Italy or Spain next season, the Anfield hierarchy have not ruled out the hope of convincing him to stay.

McManaman himself has not dismissed that possibility, although there would be one key condition to him re-signing for the club he has graced for the past ten years - a place in the Champions' League next season. A source close to the McManaman camp said: "The whole issue will be a lot clearer by the end of the month. The common opinion seems to be that he will definitely be going to Spain but that is not the case. He has attracted a lot of interest from Italy and the important thing to remember is that he has definitely not ruled out the possibility of staying at Liverpool. There can be no denying his loyalty to the club over the years and he has always said he would like nothing more than to see the club return to the top in Europe."

After an indifferent start to the season, Liverpool have now won three consecutive Premiership games under Gerard Houllier and the chance of a third-place finish - which carries with it a Champions' League qualifying spot next season - now looks a possibility.
Macca and his advisers will spend the remainder this month assessing the situation and listening to interested parties abroad. Barcelona and Real Madrid in Spain, plus both Milan clubs, Lazio and Juventus have all expressed a desire to be kept informed of the situation.
McManaman's primary adviser Simon Fuller is overseas until the middle of January, putting any binding decision on hold until the end of the month.

By that time, Liverpool's league form may have convinced McManaman to delay making a decision until the summer, when he will know for certain whether Houllier has managed to earn the club that coveted spot in Europe.

But if there are any signs that Liverpool's League form is taking a dramatic turn for the worse, McManaman can take the route of committing to one of the mega-rich continental sides who could make the Merseysider the wealthiest British Bosman free transfer to date.

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