Liverpool Set To Rival Barcelona For Signing Of Versatile Tottenham Star

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Reds join chase for in-demand White Hart Lane ace.

SEE ALSO: Liverpool’s worst ever signings!

Liverpool could be set to make a surprise move to compete with Barcelona for the signing of Tottenham Hotspur defender Jan Vertonghen, it has emerged.

The Belgian international has been the subject of much transfer speculation in recent times, with the player known to be keen on playing in the Champions League after two seasons of failing to do so with Spurs, who have finished 5th and 6th in his time at the club.

With Barcelona desperate to bring in new signings at the back after losing Carles Puyol to retirement, Vertonghen is believed to be up there with the likes of Borussia Dortmund star Mats Hummels and Paris Saint-Germain youngster Marquinhos as among the main candidates to strengthen new manager Luis Enrique’s backline.

Liverpool are also interested in making signings at the back due to some unvoncincing displays from the Reds’ current crop of defenders last season, which let the side down as their superb attacking displays came agonisingly close to delivering a first league title since 1990.

Vertonghen’s ability to play both centre-back and left-back appeals to Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers, with the Northern Irishman seeking signings in both those areas ahead of the new season.

The likes of Sevilla star Alberto Moreno and Chelsea’s Ryan Bertrand have both been linked with the club, but with neither of those signings succeeding in going through, Rodgers now appears to have made Vertonghen his main target.

It seems unlikely that Tottenham will want to let such a key player move to another Premier League club, but it could be that Liverpool’s offer of Champions League football will prove too tempting for the former Ajax man, and could lead to him forcing an exit from White Hart Lane.

Gareth Bale managed to do the same as he joined Real Madrid last summer, and Spurs have been unfortunate to see some of their best players poached by bigger clubs in recent years.

Tottenham may be close to sealing moves for either Villareal defender Mateo Musacchio or Sporting Lisbon youngster Eric Dier, which would help ease the pain of Vertonghen’s departure, though they will now be hoping that he will opt for a move to the Nou Camp if he does leave London this summer.

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