Martin Montoya
Martin Montoya could be set to confirm an agreement with Liverpool in the summer despite interest from multiple clubs throughout Europe.

Liverpool are readying a pre-contract offer for Barcelona defender Martin Montoya in hope of staving off interest from Napoli amongst a host of other clubs, according to reports.

Bild is reporting today that Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen are both also chasing the right back as his contract comes to an end with the Catalan giants next summer but Liverpool believe that he will provide them with even more depth in their defensive options with a style of play befitting of Brendan Rodgers possession-based game.

Inter Milan have also been credited with interest and Italian news site Sempreinter claim that the Reds are set to make an offer for the 22 year old in January with an agreement to join the club next summer on the table, a move that would put an end to speculation suggesting he might move anywhere other than to Merseyside in 2014.

Montoya's agent has claimed that he will definitely not leave Barcelona in January though he also revealed recently that the Spain Under 23 international is interested in leaving the club because he can't compete for game time at present.

"For the moment he is under contract with FC Barcelona until the end of the season," the player's representative Jose Maria Orobitg confirmed.

"We have talked but there is no certainty that Martin Montoya would hold down a first-team spot, because right now Daniel Alves closes the door."

With this in mind January could be the month in which clubs show their cards over their pursuit of Montoya and Liverpool are keen to get in first. Calcio Mercato has claimed that Brendan Rodgers is ahead of the pack but faces competition from Napoli, who can offer the Catalonian Champions League football and a fight for the Scudetto.

The Reds already signed defenders Mamadou Sakho, Tiago Ilori and Kolo Toure in the summer transfer window but with Toure pushing 33 years of age Rodgers will be mindful of signing players who will peak in the long-term as well as offering a short term fix.

Related: Find out what the legendary Ian Rush had to say about Liverpool teen winger Harry Wilson here.