Merseyside rivals Liverpool and Everton are in a fierce fight as they look to sign Real Sociedad defender Diego Llorente at the end of the season, according to Noticias de Gipuzkoa.
The Basque-based newspaper claim on their website that the two north west sides are both keen on snapping up the 25-year-old Spain international this summer, with the Reds said to have readied a bid of £25million (€30million) to prise him away from the La Liga outfit.
It is stated that the two-cap central enforcer has a release clause of £42.8million (€50million) but that the Spanish side will be open to negotiation at a price below that, with Liverpool said to be leading the Toffees in the hunt.
Good move for Liverpool/Everton?
Starting with the Reds, they do not look in desperate need of a new centre back with Joel Matip and Dejan Lovren both improving on their previous form alongside the unflappable Virgil van Dijk.
With Joe Gomez on the comeback trail after his injury layoff, only the exit of one of their current options would require the club to pounce for Llorente.
Still, he would offer good experience and could be an upgrade on those already at Anfield.
Everton could certainly do with a defender of his calibre at Goodison Park, with the future of Kurt Zouma uncertain as his loan spell comes to an end, and so they must be hoping to trump their rivals in this particular transfer battle.
This is Futbol rating: Liverpool – 7/10, Everton – 8.5/10
Likely to happen?
It seems as though Liverpool are leading the charge and as such Everton are going to struggle to prise him away from Sociedad.
The Reds are a much more attractive option at the top of the Premier League, although Goodison Park would offer more guaranteed game time.
This is Futbol rating: Liverpool – 8/10, Everton – 6/10