MailOnline: Rodgers targets Vietto

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has identified Villarreal striker Luciano Vietto as a summer transfer target - but he faces competition from Real Madrid for the Argentinian.

Vietto matches the profile of player that Rodgers actively pursues; he is 21-years-old and has scored 18 times already in Spain, also providing six assists.

His form has propelled Villarreal into sixth in La Liga and Vietto's agent, Jorge Cysterpiller, has played up talk of a move for the attacker.

'He could sign for Liverpool, we know that he is admired by the Reds, as well as Real Madrid and two Bundesliga clubs,' Cysterpiller is reported as saying in AS. 'I think he could leave Villarreal in the summer.

'We know that a lot of big clubs are watching. There is a lot of competition for him.'

Vietto, who scored Villarreal's goal in their 1-1 draw against Madrid at the weekend, has also spoken to the Spanish newspaper about a potential departure from the club at the end of the season, with a £12million fee being mooted.

'If these great teams come forward and make an offer we'll see,' Vietto said.

Source: MailOnline