Liverpool added a second Spanish player to their squad yesterday when Antonio Nunez completed his switch from Real Madrid.
The midfielder moved to Anfield as part of the deal which took Michael Owen to the Bernabeu after completing his medical and signing a three-year contract.
Nunez joins compatriot Josemi - a £2 million capture from Malaga - in manager Rafael Benitez's Spanish revolution and there could be yet another before Saturday's home game against Manchester City after Liverpool reached a "preliminary agreement" with Real Sociedad for the transfer to Xabi Alonso.
However, Benitez may have to wait until after Spain's friendly against Venezuela tonight before he can fly in the £10.7 million midfielder to complete the deal.
That would put a question mark over the future of Dietmar Hamann, who is in the last year of his contract, while Tottenham are believed to have made an approach to sign Republic of Ireland right back Steve Finnan, who has lost his place to Josemi.
Spurs need a replacement for Stephen Carr, whom they sold to Newcastle last week, and Finnan - who could go for £2million - fits the bill.
With the young Irish right back Stephen Kelly still recovering from ankle trouble at White Hart Lane, head coach Jacques Santini wants more experience in defence and former Fulham player Finnan fits the bill.
He is believed to be available as Benitez continues his shake-up at Anfield which has Owen and Danny Murphy leave for Real Madrid and Charlton respectively over the last week.
Part of the new manager's intentions is to sign Alonso and the player's agent Inaki Ibanez insisted the deal for the young Spaniard is done.
Ibanez said: "The crossing of Xabi Alonso to Liverpool is practically done. On the part of the player everything is closed and now there are only small details between the clubs to be done.
"We are talking to Liverpool and they are the only club in the race at present. Xabi went to their game on Saturday to have important talks with the club."
The arrival of Nunez completes the Owen transaction, with the England striker costing Real Madrid £8 million plus the £3 million-rated Spaniard.
The 25-year-old right-sided midfielder, who made 10 appearances for Real last season, trained with his new team-mates after passing a medical and has been allocated the number 12 shirt.
He joined Real in 2001 and earned a place in the first team squad for the 2003/'04 campaign as excitement grew that Madrid had discovered the natural successor to Luis Figo.
He made a dream start by scoring the equaliser on his debut in the 1-1 draw with Villareal in September 2003.
Nunez insists he was Anfield-bound regardless of the Owen deal. He said: "Even if Owen hadn't signed for Madrid, I already had an offer from Liverpool and I knew that the manager was keen to sign me, which is something to be proud of.
"It is never going to be satisfactory leaving the best team in the world but playing for Liverpool is a dream come true for any player."
Liverpool have also been linked with £6million-rated Barcelona winger Luis Garcia but Barca sporting director Txiki Begiristain said: "No representatives from Liverpool have contacted the player and he's not come and talked money with us."
