Liverpool + Tottenham Set To Bid For £10m-Rated Midfielder

As we approach the opening of the summer window clubs will be intensifying their efforts in the transfer market so we’ll bring you all the latest news and gossip. Today, Liverpool and Tottenham are linked with Ogenyi Onazi.

Liverpool are set to battle it out with Tottenham for the signature of £10m-rated Lazio midfielder Ogenyi Onazi at the end of the season, according to reports today.

Onazi joined Lazio in 2011 after starring in the under-17 World Cup for Nigeria and has emerged as one of the most highly-rated defensive midfielders in Serie A over the last 24 months.

After breaking into the first team squad in 2012, the 21-year-old cemented his position as a first team regular this campaign and already has 18 senior caps to his name for the Nigerian international side.

His impressive form has understandably attracted interest from throughout Europe and it seems Lazio may have a fight on their hands to keep hold of the talented midfielder this summer, with Liverpool and Tottenham ready to make their moves at the end of the season.

The Daily Star claim that Liverpool will renew their interest in Onazi after failing to agree a fee for his services in January, with Brendan Rodgers eyeing the youngster as part of his summer recruitment plans that will see him strengthen his squad ahead of their return to the Champions League next season.

Onazi made no secret of his desire to make the move to Anfield when asked about a potential switch back in January, telling reporters he’d jump at the chance of moving to Merseyside:

“Liverpool? They are a huge team and are attractive to any footballer.

“I could see myself playing for them. I would jump at the chance.” Onazi is quoted as saying by the Star

However, the newspaper suggests that Liverpool will now face stiff competition from Tottenham with the clubs hierarchy already making plans for the summer, despite the uncertainty over who’ll be in charge next season, with technical director Franco Baldini believed to have identified Onazi as a key target.

Both clubs are ready to make their move for the African ace and hope to get a deal tied up before this summers World Cup final kick off in mid-June, but the Star state that Lazio have slapped a £10m price-tag on the players head in the hope of warning off interested parties.

Whether that will be enough to deter the likes of Liverpool and Spurs remains to be seen, as both clubs should be able to comfortably afford that kind of fee if they feel it’s a worthwhile investment.

Liverpool are expected to be busy in the transfer market as they prepare to return to Europe’s top table and there’s little doubt they need to strengthen their squad if Rodgers wants to be able to cope with the extra games the Champions League will bring. Central midfield looks like its an area he feels needs adding to and Onazi would be a useful addition.

READ MORE –> Liverpool transfer news | Spurs transfer news

Tottenham on the other hand have plenty of central midfielders already on the books, with Nabil Bentaleb, Sandro, Paulinho, Mousa Dembele, Etienne Capoue and Gylfi Sigurdsson all on the pay-roll, so it will be interesting to see how Onazi fits in if he does make the move to White Hart Lane this summer.

Do you rate Onazi? Would you like to see  him join your club? Share your views below.