Reds hope to steal a march on Gunners after 16-year-old watched 4-0 demolition of Everton.
Liverpool are hopeful of beating Arsenal to the signature of Marseille wonderkid Maxime Lopez after the player visited Anfield for the 4-0 Merseyside derby win over Everton in January, reports the Daily Mail.
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The 16-year-old playmaker is one of the hottest prospects in the French club’s youth system and scouts from Europe’s top clubs have reportedly visited the south of France to run the rule over the youngster.
Lopez caught Arsenal’s eye when he twice faced the Gunners in the UEFA Youth League, playing 24 minutes in a 4-1 defeat before pulling the strings in the return leg which finished in a 1-1 draw in November.
Gunners scout Giles Grimandi has since been to watch Lopez but Liverpool have gained the upper hand, after the midfielder and his family visited Anfield as guests for the Merseyside derby win in January.
Lopez must have been impressed, as the hosts brushed aside the Toffees with a stunning attacking display.
The teenager is also understood to have met Reds boss Brendan Rodgers, who has stressed the club’s focus on youth development.