Liverpool are looking to take advantage of the financial situation at Sporting Lisbon and make a move for highly rated Spanish winger Diego Capel.
However, the Daily Mirror report that the Brendan Rodgers’ men will face a battle with Marseille for Capel’s signature.
The Spaniard had a successful career at Sevilla where he won five trophies before he joined Sporting for €3.5m in summer 2011. He has scored six league goals in 45 games for the Portuguese giants but is thought to be looking for his next move.
Sporting need to sell their stars
Sporting are in financial trouble and have had trouble paying their players and staff. They are having to sell their best players to ease the burden. Capel’s teammates Ricky van Wolfswinke and Jeffren Suarez have been linked with moves to the Premier League with Norwich and Everton respectively.
They are hoping to get at least £10m for Capel who was part of Barcelona’s famous youth team that also featured Lionel Messi and Cesc Fabregas.
Liverpool are looking to bring in three or four players of real quality and Rodgers believes the 25-year-old fits the bill.
Capel has been capped twice by Spain and may see a move to the Premier League as an ideal platform to catch the attention of Spain coach Vicente del Bosque with the World Cup in Brazil at the end of next season.
However, Marseille are likely to be able to offer Champions League football as they are currently second in the French league.