Liverpool, Man Utd to vie for Atleti defender

Liverpool and Manchester United will reportedly battle it out for the services of unsettled Atletico Madrid defender Jose Gimenez.

The Uruguay international has had a frustrating spell under Diego Simeone this campaign with the manager sticking with Diego Godin and Stefan Savic as his preferred centre-back partnership.

A report from The Mirror cites that the Reds and United are keeping a close watch on the young defender, who has been largely a backup player at the Vicente Calderon.

Gimenez is currently the third-choice centre-back at Atleti, but he has at times seen Lucas Hernandez also take up a spot in the heart of the defence.

Lucas' sibling Theo, currently on a season-long loan at Deportivo La Coruna, is also capable of occupying in the position, and his arrival in the summer could bring further uncertainty over Gimenez's future.

Gimenez, who is contracted to Atletico Madrid until the summer of 2018, is unlikely to come on the cheap with the club likely to demand fees of at least £43m for his sale.