Liverpool Face Competition From Swansea to Sign Benfica Youngster – Report

Liverpool and Swansea City are reportedly in negotiations to sign Benfica winger Ola John, who is also wanted by Ajax, on loan until the end of the season.

Benfica signed John in the summer of 2012 after paying £7m to FC Twente to secure his services but the 21-year old winger has struggled to make the impact that was expected.

In his debut campaign he started 15 domestic league games for the Portuguese side while this season he has just played four matches as a substitute.

According to Dutch website Algemeen Dagblad Liverpool and Swansea are willing to take advantage of his situation to sign him on loan until the end of the season.

Benfica are open to a short term loan in the hope he can produce in the future but reports suggest that Ajax are leading the race to secure his services. John is still highly rated in Holland where during his last season at Twente he scored eight league goals and grabbed 15 assists.

John, who has been a regular international player for the Holland Under-21s, is also looking to move away to get more playing time before the World Cup in the hope he can force his way into Louis van Gaal's squad.

Liverpool are still trying to secure the services of Basel winger Mohamed Salah but John would be a back-up option for the Reds if they failed to sign the Egyptian. Barcelona youngster Cristian Tello is the other winger that has been linked with the the Anfield club recently.

Swansea are also looking to strengthen their squad after Michael Laudrup's suffer injuries striker Michu and winger Nathan Dyer.