KOP News # 1172

Metro: French star linked with Reds

1st May 2012 - Transfer Gossip  

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.

Liverpool have joined Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain in the race for Montpellier star Younes Belhanda, after manager Kenny Dalglish made a personal check on the 22-year-old.

Belhanda is currently rated as one of the biggest talents in French football, having enjoyed his most fruitful season yet, scoring 11 goals in 27 matches, as unfancied Montpellier have surged to the top of the Ligue 1 table.

A fast winger noted for his speed, technique and vision, Belhanda's form has not gone unnoticed across Europe, with Arsenal and PSG both admitting their interest in the player last month, after receiving glowing reports from their scouts.

However, the duo are likely to have to do battle with Liverpool if they want the Morocco international, after manager Dalglish and assistant Steve Clarke were both impressed following a personal check last week.

The Reds duo were in the stands as Belhanda scored the only goal in a 1-0 Montpellier win at Toulouse on Friday night, and were joined by Gunners scout Gilles Grimandi, and Bayern Munich general manager Christian Nerlinger, who also made checks on French striker Olivier Giroud.

Belhanda looks increasingly likely to quit Montpellier at the end of the season, but his new club is far from certain, with Arsenal and Liverpool offering him the chance to play in the Premier League, while PSG want to make the 22-year-old an offer he can't refuse.

As Metro revealed last month, PSG are expected to open the bidding at £15 million this summer, and include a package that would see Belhanda's basic £15,000-a-week salary tripled to £45,000-a-week, on top of hefty bonus payments if he continues his development.

It's a deal Arsenal and Liverpool would struggle to match, but given the relationship madcap Montpellier owner Louis Nicollin has with title rivals PSG, he would prefer the player to mover abroad, even if it means accepting a lower fee.

Liverpool are expected to make further checks on Belhanda before the end of the season.

Source: Metro