Adem Ljajic
Adem Ljajic Getty Images

Liverpool and Manchester United are reportedly set to tussle off the field in pursuit of securing the signature of Adem Ljajic from AS Roma in the ongoing transfer window.

The Daily Express states that the winger has been told that his services are not required for the upcoming campaign in the aftermath of the Juan Manuel Iturbe's arrival. The Argentinean was signed for €22m (£17.5m) from Hellas Verona to become their fifth summer acquisition.

The former Fiorentina player made the switch to the Stadio Olimpico last year for €11m (£8.5m) and started just 17 times and made 11 substitute appearances in the Serie A, scoring six goals in the process.

Roma are said to be keen on offloading the 22-year-old, who is also capable of playing as an attacking midfielder, to accomodate Iturbe. The Giallorossi's sporting director Walter Sabatini is believed to have had a meeting with Ljajic's agent to clarify the situation surrounding his client's future.

Before the end of the campaign where Rudi Garcia's side finished second in the table, the Serbian international hinted at an exit this summer.

"I haven't been playing much recently, but football is like that, the coach decides who plays. I gave my all and I think it went well," Sky Sports quoted Ljajic as saying.

"I came here to play, there are five games left, then when the moment arrives to talk, we will sit around a table and see what the best course of action is," he added.

Ljajic had a spell at United while he was on the books of Partizan Belgrade as a teenager. However, the Express' report claims that the Red Devils pulled out of the transfer citing problems in securing a work permit in 2009.

Liverpool are looking into the market as Brendan Rodgers wants to bolster his squad and has added Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana and Lazar Markovic in the attacking department.

The transfer of Luis Suarez to Barcelona is thought to have given the Northern Irishman a £75m boost to his transfer kitty and the former Swansea City boss will be certainly looking to invest the amount in making some quality signings.

Meanwhile, new United manager Louis van Gaal is reportedly looking to offload 10 players from his current roster. The Red Devils have already signed Ander Herrera and Luke Shaw and the Dutchman wants four more signings before the window closes on 1 September.