Wanderers have been asked to stump up £3million by Liverpool for Jay Spearing.

After pursuing a loan deal for the midfielder since last week, the Whites have now been told to come up with hard cash as the Reds look to fund a move for Fulham’s Clint Dempsey.

Talks took place between the two clubs yesterday morning in an effort to come to a compromise before the weekend, with Wanderers understood to have offered £1.5m.

But as The Bolton News went to press last night no deal had been struck, and with Liverpool hoping that other clubs will get involved, an improved offer looks likely to be submitted today.

Owen Coyle is desperate to land a midfield ball-winner but is also tracking a number of other options ahead of Friday’s transfer deadline.

Spearing was selected in the Reds squad for last night’s Europa League game at Hearts but has been told he must find first team football elsewhere by manager Brendan Rogers.

The 23-year-old will now be sold along with team-mates Joe Cole and Charlie Adam to help bring US international Dempsey to Anfield for £7.5m.

Meanwhile, Swansea City completed a £6million deal for Celtic’s Korean international Ki Sung-Yueng, which should call time on their long-standing interest in Mark Davies .