Manchester City and Liverpool go head to head for Seri

Bengaluru, December 8: Premier League giants Manchester City and Liverpool will battle Barcelona for the signature of Nice midfielder Jean Michael Seri, according to reports in Spain.

The Ivory Coast international is open to a Premier League switch after his proposed £35.2million summer move to the Nou Camp fell apart, report the Daily Mail.

However, Barcelona still hold a keen interest in the Ivorian but this time, they will have to fend off more competition for the Ligue 1 midfielder.

It is claimed that both Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp have shown a “concrete” interest in Seri.

Barcelona’s offer for the playmaker was rejected by Nice president Jean-Pierre Rivere in the summer but the Spanish giants are confident that they will be able to land their target when the window reopens.

It is believed that Rivere rejecting the offer from Barca annoyed Seri greatly, who is looking for the next stage of his career to be a big move to a big European club.

Scouts from Manchester City and Liverpool have watched the Ivorian extensively this season and have been impressed with him.

Manchester City do need depth in midfield whereas Liverpool, despite having a deep squad, could still do with a player of Seri’s caliber.

French giants PSG also like the Nice star midfielder and could launch an offer for the midfield dynamo in January as per reports.

Arsenal had shown interest too but did not put forward an offer in the summer. The Ivorian missed a month of the season through injury but is now back to full fitness.

Seri is a complete midfielder with excellent all-round abilities and would do well in Jurgen Klopp’s system but is very much similar in style to Naby Keita who will move to Anfield next summer. So, a move for Seri could mean that Emre Can could be on his way out.