Copenhagen, August 1 (IANS): FC Barcelona coach Tata Martino has expressed interest in recruiting Danish national team captain and Liverpool defender Daniel Agger.

Danish newspaper Berlingske said Wednesday that Martino, who was officially announced as FC Barcelona's new coach last week, indicated a wish list to strengthen the team's defence, reports Xinhua.

Agger, who plays for Liverpool and Chelsea's David Luiz are the top choices in Martino's wish list.

According to the British media, Chelsea has turned down bids for Luiz from FC Barcelona several times, insisting that Luiz is not for sale this summer. Therefore, the Catalan club has targeting Agger and bring him to the Spainsh La Liga.

The Spanish sports newspaper El Mundo Deportivo reported that Agger was very close to transfer to FC Barcelona last summer. But former FC Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova changed his mind at the end and chose to focus on one of the club's junior players, not Agger.

Agger, 28, is highly rated for his techniques. He joined Liverpool in January 2006.