Liverpool ready to rival Everton in race to sign £30m midfielder

Liverpool are reportedly ready to go head-to-head with rivals Everton for the £30m signing of Zenit St Petersburg midfielder Axel Witsel, according to the Mirror.

The Reds’ top midfield target had been Sevilla’s Grzegorz Krychowiak, but with the Poland international on the verge of following former boss Unai Emery to Paris Saint-Germain instead, Jurgen Klopp has turned his attentions to Witsel, as he looks to bolster his options in the middle of the park.

The Belgian is also wanted by new Everton boss Ronald Koeman, who has money to spend to strengthen a squad that finished a disappointing 11th in the Premier League last season, with the Toffees understood to have agreed a £30m deal for the 27-year-0ld.

However, Liverpool’s interest could now create a potential bidding war for Witsel, who has made 156 appearances in all competitions for Zenit since joining them for €40m from Benfica in 2012, scoring 21 goals.