Liverpool face battle for Hakim Ziyech

Liverpool will have to fight off competition from a host of European big guns if they are to secure the services of Ajax midfielder Hakim Ziyech, according to reports in Portugal.

The Reds are currently on the lookout for an alternative to Nabil Fekir after withdrawing from the deal at the eleventh hour over medical concerns.

Ziyech, who will supposedly be able to leave Ajax for less than his €20m (£17.5m) release clause, has been mooted as one such option.

A chance for #LFC to watch Ziyech coming up…https://t.co/GiKEuMCOui

— Liverpool FC News (@LivEchoLFC) June 15, 2018

However, after he notched 17 assists in the Eredivisie last season, there will inevitably be numerous clubs eyeing a cut-price deal.

And Portuguese newspaper Correio da Manhã claim Benfica are currently leading the chase, eager for the deal to progress amid reported interest from Liverpool (which emerged back in April), Roma, Lyon and Borussia Dortmund.

However, Benfica will first to wait to see if they can wrap up a deal for Gelson Martins, a target for Jurgen Klopp last summer, following his departure from Sporting Lisbon.

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The 25-year-old is currently in Russia representing Morocco at the World Cup, but may face an early exit with Spain and Portugal also in Group B.

It has all fallen rather silent on the transfer front for Liverpool since the move for Fekir fell through, but it is believed the club are gradually closing in on a deal for Stoke’s Xherdan Shaqiri.

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Source: anfieldhq.com