Arsenal And Liverpool Battle To Sign Bargain Defender Targeted By La Liga Giants As Carles Puyol Replacement

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The Premier League duo and joined by Everton in pursuit of Sevilla’s Fazio.

Sevilla defender Federico Fazio is being targeted by Arsenal, Everton and Liverpool this summer as they challenge FC Barcelona for his signature, according to talkSPORT.

The 27-year-old is viewed by Barca as the ideal long-term replacement for captain Carles Puyol, who is set to retire this summer after 15 years of success at the Nou Camp.

As keen as Fazio’s current club are to hold onto the Argentine – and they have offered a new contract to the centre-back to try and ensure that – his current buyout clause of £8m makes the South American an attractive option.

The Seville-based side are keen to increase that release clause for the Argentina international and whilst he is happy to stay at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium, a move to one of Europe’s elite could be too good to resist.

The Gunners may have to find some backup for Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker in the close season with speculation that captain Thomas Vermaelen is on his way out of the Emirates Stadium increasing by the day.

As for the Toffees, they are seeking long-term alternatives to veterans Sylvain Distin and Phil Jagielka, whilst the Reds have many defensive issues to address.

Despite finishing second last term and therefore returning to the Champions League for the first time since 2009, Brendan Rodgers’ side were said to be fragile at the back and that is what eventually cost them their first league title since 1990.

SEE ALSO: The 50 best players at the 2014 World Cup.

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