Metro: Reds eye Croatian ace

Liverpool are reportedly preparing to hijack Arsenal's move for Croatian midfielder Mateo Kovacic by launching a transfer bid of their own.

The Inter Milan star has been strongly linked with a move to Arsenal, who hope to tempt him to the Emirates with the prospect of regular Champions League football.

The Gunners are far from the only club interested in Kovacic, though, and reports in Italy now suggest that Liverpool are also eager to add him to their ranks.

With manager Roberto Mancini looking for funds to rebuild his squad, Inter are resigned to losing some of their star names, but are thought to prefer the prospect of selling Kovacic than their sought-after striker Mauro Icardi.

The former Dinamo Zagreb man is also thought to be keen on a move to Anfield, but the Reds will likely have to ward off a number of competitors to secure his signature.

Source: Metro