Liverpool face fight in race for South American star

By Staff Writer
Updated: 5 November, 2012

Photo: EFE

Liverpool could face a fight for reported target Fernando Amorebieta after reports from TalkSPORT claim big-spending Russian outfit Zenit St Petersburg are ready to enter the race for the South American defender.

The Anfield club were linked with the Athletic Bilbao star by Marca in July when reds boss Brendan Rodgers was said to believe the 27-year-old would fit perfectly into his system at Liverpool. It was further claimed contact has already been made with the Basque club over a possible move.

It is now understood that Zenit are showing interest in the Venezuelan and reports suggest club officials have already met with their counterparts at Athletic over a possible switch during the January transfer window.

Amorebieta is reported to have a £26 million buy-out clause on his current contract at San Mames, however, with that expiring in June 2013 Athletic face the very real prospect of losing the player for nothing should a new deal not be penned.

Liverpool meanwhile have a number of Spanish-speaking players and staff at the club and Rodgers is said to want to implement a similar passing system at Anfield that Amorebieta is used to playing in under Marcelo Bielsa in Bilbao.

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