Liverpool and Arsenal are set to fight over talented Moroccan playmaker Younes Belhanda according to reports coming from France.
The attacking midfielder has had a great season for the Ligue 1 champions and is currently under the radar of many top clubs in Europe. Rene Girard, Montpellier’s manager, shifted Belhanda into the playmaker position at the beginning of last season; a move which paid dividends as the new no.10 turned into a fine player in this newly found role. Arsenal scout Giles Grimandi along with former Reds boss Kenny Dalglish were both present at the Stade de la Mosson to watch the 22 year old in action against Toulouse back in May and came back impressed with Belhanda as he scored to help his side clinch a 1-0 victory.
Ligue 1 runners up Paris Saint Germain are also interested in the attacking midfielder, but it is highly unlikely that Montpellier will sell their top playmaker to a team who will be in direct competition with them for the title next season. Montpellier owner Louis Nicollin is determined to sell the player to a club outside of France even at the cost of losing out on a higher transfer fee.
Brendan Rodgers is in search of new players to bolster his squad as he aims to reestablish Liverpool as title contenders next season. With the departure of Dirk Kuyt and Steven Gerrard’s intermittent injury problems, the Anfield officials may look to Belhanda to solve their midfield worries. With the asking price set to be at £15m, it remains to be seen if Arsene Wenger can break the bank to sign this exciting playmaker or not.
Where should the highly rated Moroccan go?