Juventus and Galatasaray to battle for Liverpool target Lacina Traore in January

Liverpool will battle Turkish side Galatasaray and Italian giants Juventus for the signing of Anzhi striker Lacina Traore.

The Russian side is clearing out all its well-paid foreign players, and Traore could follow former team-mates Samuel Eto’o and Willian to the Premier League.

The Daily Express reports that the Ivory Coast international is a long-term Reds target. But it is Juventus who lead the race for the 23-year-old and are favourites to sign him in January.

Galatasaray are also likely to bid.

It remains to be seen whether Liverpool will firm up their interest when the transfer window reopens. It may be that Traore was seen by Brendan Rodgers as a replacement for Luis Suarez rather than a signing he needs to make with the Uruguayan star and Daniel Sturridge at his disposal.

The player’s agent, Dmitry Selyuk, told Izvestia: “Recent developments have not changed Traore’s relationship with Anzhi.

“Moreover, he believes that the change of direction towards development will benefit the club.

“He loves to work with [new coach] Gadzhi Gadzhiyev, who has assured him that he counts on Lacina as the main striker.

“But there are not many teams that could afford to pay the price for the player.”