Anfield side battle Etihad Stadium outfit for Everton youngster.
Liverpool will battle Man City in pursuit of Everton youngster Ross Barkley according to the Daily Star.
Read more:
Victor Valdes Liverpool: Anfield side chase free agent keeper
Mario Balotelli Car: Liverpool Striker Lets Young Fans Drive His Ferrari!
Read more Liverpool FC rumours.
Etihad Stadium boss Manuel Pellegrini is readying a £35m bid for the England international, some way short of the Toffees £50m valuation, though Anfield boss Brendan Rodgers is also keen on the 20 year old midfielder.
City are ready to offer Barkley a deal worth £100k a week but one imagines Liverpool can match that offer though clearly a move from Everton to their local rivals would not make the youngster a popular man with the Goodison Park faithful.
Though Barkley doesn’t turn 21 until December he is already into his fifth season in the Everton first team set-up and is a player with prodigious talent who could well feel the need to consider a step-up, especially if boss Roberto Martinez is unable to secure a coveted Champions League berth this term.
Barkley signed a new long term contract with Everton in July and as such his valuation will be sky high though one imagines chairman Bill Kenwright would struggle to turn down offers just shy of the club’s £50m price-tag.
Though a move to Premier League title holders Man City will seem very appealing there are two factors that may give Liverpool the upper hand.
Firstly a move to Liverpool would arguably give Barkley a better shot at regular first team action and secondly Brendan Rodgers will known for trusting to youth.