RAFA BENITEZ last night swooped to land Dutch star Jan Kromkamp from Villarreal in a swap deal for Josemi.

It is a major coup for the Liverpool boss, who gets rid of £2million Kop misfit Josemi and replaces him with a man valued at £5m.

A Villarreal spokesman confirmed: ?We have arrived at an agreement with Liverpool for the transfer of Holland full-back Jan Kromkamp to the English side, with Josemi moving in the opposite direction to join the Yellows.

?The agreement now lacks only the agreement of personal terms for both players.?

Kromkamp, 25, was signed for £4.7m in the summer from Dutch side AZ Alkmaar to bolster Villarreal?s Champions League challenge.

He played against Everton and Manchester United as his club reached the knockout stages.

But the right-back has never really settled in Spain and made just six starts in La Liga.

Villarreal were still reluctant to give up on him but Kromkamp demanded a move because he feels he needs to be playing regularly to be certain of figuring in Holland?s World Cup plans.

Josemi, 26, switched to Anfield from Malaga just 17 months ago but Benitez jumped at the suggestion of a swap after trying to sell the defender to Seville.

The Spaniards refused to fork out more than £800,000, while the Reds wanted to recoup all the money they paid for him.

Kromkamp can also operate in midfield and his deal is likely to be made permanent in the summer after an initial loan period.