Sporting ace in demand

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.

Liverpool will have to pay £6m for winger Diego Capel if they are to lure him away from Sporting Lisbon this summer.

Reports in Portugal suggest that Sporting have accepted that Capel is headed for the exit but are not willing to lose the Spaniard on the cheap.

According to O Jogo, Capel has asked to leave and wants to move to a league with better profile than the Primeira Liga, having joined Sporting from Sevilla in 2011.

And while Sporting are willing to consider offers for the player prior to the transfer window closing, they have now reiterated that they will not drop their asking price.

Earlier this summer Liverpool were reported to have had a £3m bid for Capel rejected but the Anfield club may be about to come back with an improved offer.

However, Liverpool could face strong competition from Marseille for 25-year-old with the French club ready to turn to Capel if they are unsuccessful at prising Arsenal and Newcastle target Florian Thauvin away from Lille.

Liverpool have also be credited with rekindling their interest in Capel's Sporting teammate Tiago Ilori with the Anfield club contemplating upping their initial £3m offer after the player refused to sign a new contract in Lisbon.

Whether a deal can be struck that would see both players heading to England with Liverpool remains to be seen.

Source: Daily Express