Reds to do battle with Chelsea and Barcelona for Lyon star

LIVERPOOL could be set for a three-way battle with Chelsea and Barcelona for young Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar.

Posted Friday, November 23, 2018 by Dailystar.co.uk

Liverpool news: The Reds are interested in Houssem Aouar, along with Chelsea and Barcelona

That is according to reports from French outlet RMC Sport.

The France U21 international has drawn the plaudits in recent months with some impressive displays for the Ligue 1 outfit.

Known for his fantastic technical ability, the Frenchman has been dubbed the next Philippe Coutinho.

But he turned down a move to the north west of England, and has gone on to become a key player for his boyhood club.

Having made his first-team debut in February 2017, Aouar became a regular the next season, making 44 appearances in all competitions as he helped his side to a respectable third place finish.

But he has risen to even greater heights this season, already scoring five times, and helping his side to a memorable 2-1 win over Manchester City.

A versatile midfielder who likes to take players on, the 20-year-old has been employed in a number of positions this term, often straying from the middle to fill in on the left flank.

Chelsea have a similarly flexible but incredibly skillfull player in Belgian star Eden Hazard.

Following his impressive World Cup, he returned to the Blues in the same vain, spending most of this season at the top of the Premier League scoring charts.

But his fine form has continued to attract attention from long term suitors and Spanish giants Real Madrid.

Hazard has previously revealed he has dreamed of a move to the Santiago Bernabau since he took his first steps into football.

And it is understood that Los Blancos are likely to make a bumper offer for the Belgium captain in the January transfer window.

Meanwhile, Barcelona are considering a move for Aouar as a natural replacement for Coutinho himself.

Star men Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez are both reaching the end of their illustrious careers, leaving room for Aouar to step in as the new poster boy at the Nou Camp.