Liverpool are prepared to match Sunderland's offer for Connor Wickham in the hope that the Ipswich starlet would prefer a more glamourous move to Anfield.
Black Cats' boss Steve Bruce has made 18-year-old Wickham his No 1 summer signing target and launched a ?10million bid for Wickham on Wednesday.
But the Tractor Boys are demanding ?12million - and Kenny Dalglish is ready to move now that Sunderland have forced his hand.
Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham are also keen on the powerfully built striker who became Ipswich's youngest-ever player when he made his senior debut in April 2009, aged just 16 years and 11 days.
And Dalglish will hope that an early move will be enough to snap up the youngster before a bidding war begins with the North London clubs.
?Sunderland make ?10m move for Wickham, but starlet tells friends he wants to join Liverpool Clichy wants Liverpool move despite Roma's bumper offer for Arsenal defenderDowning given green light for Liverpool switch, but only if Reds match ?19m feeWe won't sell N'Zogbia on the cheap, warns Wigan chairman Whelan
?
Source: Daily Mail
Source: Daily Mail