Liverpool transfer rumour: Reds set to battle it out against Tottenham for Ante Coric

Ante Coric is a wanted man this summer

Liverpool has emerged as the preferred destination for Dinamo Zagreb youngster Ante Coric after Manchester City’s attempt to sign the player fell through. The Reds will be competing against Tottenham Hotspurs so as to acquire the player’s services. Coric has managed to grab the attention of top Premier League clubs the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool, Tottenham, and Everton over the summer.

The Croatian prodigy pulled out of the deal to sign for Manchester City after knowing of City’s plans to sign him and then send him off on a season-long loan rather than giving him the chance of playing in the first team. The lack of first team opportunities under Pep Guardiola did not impress the youngster, hence the deal fell through and now Liverpool and Tottenham are set to battle it out for the player’s signature.

Coric signed for Dinamo Zagreb in 2013 from Salzburg for a fee of €900,000. The player then went on to make his senior team debut for the club in April 2014, receiving rave reviews following his performances for Dinamo.  

The youngster made his senior Croatia National Team debut in a friendly 1-0 win over Moldova in May 2016. His performances caught the attention of Ante Cacic, who called him up for national duty for Croatia during the UEFA Euro 2016 as one of the 23 players included in the squad. However, he remained as an unused substitute during the entire tournament.

The young Croatian is now set to head to the Premier League and with the Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp being a huge fan of the attacking midfielder has trailed the youngster through the summer. The Reds are hopeful that the youngster will head to the Anfield, although reports suggesting that the player has undergone medical at the Anfield has already emerged.

Liverpool will have to battle it out against Tottenham and Everton who are keen on signing the 19-year-old midfielder as well. Both the clubs need to move faster if they want to sign the youngster. With Mauricio Pochettino keen on bolstering his attacking force with Champions League football next month after his attempts to sign Crystal Palace winger Wilfred Zaha fell through.

Manchester City’s bid of £15m was accepted by Dinamo Zagreb and the player was set to move to the Etihad in that fee, Liverpool, however, are hoping to sign the player at a lesser amount of £12m and build add-ons into the deal. However, it seems highly unlikely for Dinamo to accept a lesser if not an equal fee for the player’s move out of the club.