Saul Niguez

Liverpool have overtaken Arsenal in the race for Spanish sensation Saul Niguez and Brendan Rodgers will decide on his next move in the next few days, claims the Sunday People.

Rodgers, who is on the verge of losing Mohamed Salah to Chelsea, is looking for options to bolster his squad ahead of a demanding period in the league.

Niguez is currently on loan at Rayo Vallecano from Atletico Madrid and has a release clause of £20m in his contract. However, the former Swansea manager is hopeful that a deal can be reached with the Spanish club for a fee in the range of £12m.

Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea are also pursuing the midfielder, but the Reds are probably his best bet for first-team football, with the other teams stacked to the brim with talent.

Rodgers has been investing heavily in youth, having already bought Luis Alberto from Sevilla last summer, and is looking to build a base of talented individuals for the future.

The Reds will send a contingent to scout the player when he takes on his parent club in the La Liga on Sunday and the decision over his future is likely to be taken after the game.

Meanwhile, Rodgers has not given up on Salah even though Chelsea are in the driving seat for his signature.

"The window is not closed yet so we haven't given up on him, no," Rodgers told BBC Sport.

"Salah was a player we're interested in and we hoped we could do a deal but as of yet there is nothing done on it. The club is still looking for players we can bring in to strengthen the squad.

"It is a difficult market in January so we'll see what happens. If nothing comes in then the players I have have been outstanding for me this season and we'll enter into the final part of it with confidence if we have the same group of players," he said.