CHELSEA and Liverpool are reportedly ready to go head to head in a battle to sign a new £80m-rated striker alongside Man United.
The Premier League giants are all said to be keen on securing the services of RB Leipzig’s Lois Openda.
According to BILD journalist Christian Falk, Liverpool are looking to try and sign the 23-year-old after their success in signing Dominik Szoboszlai from Leipzig this summer.
But the Reds will face competition for his signature as Chelsea have also been linked with the Belgium international.
Fichajes have reported that the Stamford Bridge outfit are keen on signing Openda as they look to put an end to their striker woes.
The Blues have had issues finding the right centre forward for their squad in recent seasons, but Mauricio Pochettino is understood to be keen on the idea of bring Openda to London in January.
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Openda has bagged four goals in just six Bundesliga appearances this season and is rumoured to be valued at around £80m by Leipzig who know the talent they have on their hands.
The forward joined the Germans this summer from RC Lens after he helped the Ligue 1 side come within just one point of PSG in the league last season.
But despite only just coming through the door at Red Bull Arena, he could be snatched away with reports of a release clause in his contract.
It is said that a release clause worth more than £65m has been inserted into his current deal but unusually, it won’t become active until 2025.
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This would mean that if Chelsea and Liverpool are keen on signing the rising star any sooner than 2025, then they may have to pay over the odds to get a deal over the line.
On top of this they could face even more competition in their pursuit with Fichajes also suggesting Manchester United are eyeing the former Club Brugge man.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
