Liverpool earmark Ajax star as Nabil Fekir alternative

Liverpool have reportedly joined the likes of AS Roma and Napoli in the pursuit of Ajax midfielder Hakim Ziyech. The 25-year-old is currently with the Moroccon national side at the World Cup finals in Russia.

According to Correia da Manha, the Reds are planning an approach for the Ajax attacker after facing disappointment in signing Nabil Fekir from Lyon.

Fekir was widely expected to be announced as a Reds player earlier in the month but his injury record urged the club to re-negotiate his £53m fee which scuppered the deal.

Since then, the Reds have been linked with a whole host of players including Xherdan Shaqiri but it is now claimed that Ziyech is among the leading candidates on the wishlist.

It is added that the Moroccan has a relatively cheap release clause of £18m and the Reds may recruit him to play back-up to the likes of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah next term.