Metro: Reds eye Roma star

Liverpool are reportedly hoping to get one over rivals Manchester United by beating them to the transfer of Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan.

The Belgian international has developed into one of the mainstays of the Serie A side's midfield, having made his loan deal from Cagliari permanent last summer.

Nainggolan has emerged as a key transfer target for Louis van Gaal after the 26-year-old's club colleague Kevin Strootman suffered a season-ending knee injury.

But according to reports in Italy, United are set to face stiff competition in the form of their fierce rivals as Brendan Rodgers looks to reinvigorate his midfield ahead of Steven Gerrard's impending departure.

Such is Nainggolan's importance to Rudi Garcia's side, though, that the Premier League duo will most likely be forced to a pay substantial fee to prise the ex-Anderlecht man away from the Stadio Olimpico.

Source: Metro