Everton and Liverpool to battle for Barcelona forward

Everton and Liverpool are reportedly set to go head-to-head in the race to sign FC Barcelona ace Cristian Tello.

The Merseyside rivals, who both won 6-2 and 3-1 respectively over the weekend in the Premier League, have identified the Spain international as one of their top transfer targets ahead of the forthcoming January transfer window.

The 24-year-old, who is currently on loan at Portuguese giants FC Porto, has scored once in nine appearances in all competitions so far this season.

However Tello, who made his international debut back in August 2013, seems unlikely to return to the Camp Nou at the end of his two-year loan spell next summer after falling out of favour at the La Liga champions.