Rumour: Liverpool and Arsenal target Sevilla’s Federico Fazio

Federico Fazio in action for Sevilla

Arsenal and Liverpool are set to duel for the signature of Sevilla centre-back Federico Fazio, as reported by the Daily Star.

Reports in Spain are suggesting that both Gunners boss Arsene Wenger and the Liverpool manager are interested in bringing the 27-year-old centre back to their club this summer, with both having made Fazio their number one transfer target.

Fazio was exceptional in Spain last season, and both managers see him as able to aid in fixing their leaky defences. Arsenal might lose Thomas Vermaelen to Manchester United. He played an integral role as Sevilla managed to reach the Europa League final.

Sevilla are not particularly keen to lose him, and have put an £8 million asking price on his head if either Liverpool or Arsenal want to wrest him away from the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.

The Europa League winners have reportedly offered Fazio a new deal in order to keep him at the club, but he has yet to make a decision on his future, given the interest from elsewhere.

He is also attracting interest from Barcelona, with new Barca boss Luis Enrique considering him a direct replacement for Carlos Puyol, who left the Camp Nou at the end of the season.