Liverpool join Tottenham in the race for £35m Willian

Liverpool will rival Spurs in the battle for Brazil international Willian.

The Reds are interested in the £35m-rated Anzhi midfielder, according to reports in The Sun.

The 25-year-old has been transfer-listed – along with all his team-mates – by the Russian club as they start serious cost-cutting measures.

Willian only joined from Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk in January. On that occasion the fee was £30m, so the chances of Anzhi turning a profit in the middle of a fire-sale seem pretty slim.

The fact that two Premier League clubs are both interested could help to drive the final figure to somewhere near their asking price.

Manchester City and Chelsea have also been linked with a move, but it now appears to be between Liverpool and Spurs.

The Reds are keen for a marquee signing now it looks like they will miss out on Atletico Madrid’s Diego Costa.