Liverpool Ready To Fight Man Utd For €19.5m-Rated South American

The January transfer window may have slammed shut but clubs will still be working hard behind the scenes at identifying targets for the summer, so we’ll bring you all the latest news, gossip and rumours. Today, Liverpool are linked with Nicolas Gaitan.

Liverpool have joined Premiership rivals Manchester United in the race for €19.5m (£16m) rated Benfica midfielder Nicolas Gaitan, according to talkSPORT.

Gaitan has been in excellent form for the Portuguese giants since moving from Boco Juniors in 2010, scoring 23 goals and providing 47 assists in just 163 appearances.

This kind of form has understandably attracted attention from some of Europe’s top clubs and Manchester United were strongly linked with a move for the 26-year-old during the January transfer window, and although a deal wasn’t struck this winter, David Moyes is believed to be keen to renew his interest this summer.

However, the Red Devils could now face some stiff competition from rivals Liverpool with talkSPORT claiming that the Merseysiders have sent scouts to keep a close eye on the attacking midfielder in recent weeks and will continue to do so during the closing stages of the season ahead of a potential summer bid.

Brendan Rodgers is likely to have some ambitious plans in the transfer market if he successfully guides Liverpool to a top four finish and attacking reinforcements are expected to be high on the agenda after missing out on a whole host of names in recent windows.

The report suggests that while Benfica will be reluctant to lose another of their star players having sold Nemanja Matic to Chelsea in January, they would be prepared to do business for Gaitan should an offer of around €19.5m (£16m) come in.

The six-time Argentina international predominantly plays on the wing but can also operate centrally in an attacking midfield role, so his versatility is likely to appeal to both Rodgers and Moyes.

While United will still be an attractive proposition for any player even if they don’t finish in the top-four this season, Liverpool will be confident they could beat their rivals to Gaitan’s signature and lure him to Anfield if they can offer him Champions League football.

It’s certainly going to be an interesting summer at both Liverpool and United with both clubs likely to be in the market, but for very different reasons, and it looks like Gaitan could be at the center of a battle between two of England’s biggest clubs.

READ MORE –> Liverpool transfer news | Man Utd transfer news

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