Man Utd & Liverpool want to sign Sporting left-back

Manchester United and Liverpool are prepared to battle it out for the signature of Sporting CP left-back Maxi Araujo this summer, as per A Bola.

The Red Devils are expected to pursue a new left-back to compete with Luke Shaw next season. Patrick Dorgu was signed for the same purpose, but he has been vulnerable defensively. He is most comfortable as a winger.

Hence, Araujo would be a good addition to the ranks. He is highly experienced at 26 years of age and would provide good competition for places to Shaw, who has had a worrying injury record during his career.

Meanwhile, Liverpool see him as a replacement for Andy Robertson whose contract expires at the end of June. The Scotland international has not been offered a renewal and looks poised to leave on a Bosman transfer.

Araujo presently has a release clause worth €80 million in his existing deal at Sporting CP, but reports claim that the Portuguese champions are prepared to accept half of the price for a summer transfer deal.

They would ideally prefer to keep the Uruguayan at the club for another 12 months, but it appears he is prepared to pursue a bigger challenge.