Liverpool make late attempt to beat Everton to Belgium midfielder – report

Liverpool have made a late attempt to sign Everton target Axel Witsel, according to a report in Gazzetta World.

The Zenit Saint Petersburg midfielder was thought to be on the brink of a move to Goodison Park amid reports that the Russian club had accepted a big-money offer for the Belgian star.

The Toffees are reportedly facing competition from four of Serie A’s biggest clubs – Inter Milan, Juventus, Napoli and Roma – for the 27-year-old dynamic midfielder.

Liverpool have already signed Germany goalkeeper Loris Karius, Schalke defender Joel Matip, Serbian youngster Marko Grujic and Southampton forward Sadio Mane in the summer transfer window.

According to Gazzetta World, the Reds have made an eleventh-hour bid to sign the Zenit midfielder in an attempt to usurp their Merseyside rivals in the race to sign Witsel.

The Everton and Liverpool target made five appearances in Belgium’s Euro 2016 campaign, scoring one goal in the European championship in France.

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The Red Devils’s bid to win their first-ever major tournament came to an end on Friday following a 3-1 defeat by Wales in the quarter-final.