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Liverpool is facing a battle in the summer transfer window for one key target, as Manchester City has devised a plan to land the highly-rated star in the weeks aheadEnzo Maresca and Andoni Iraola are set to go head-to-head for a transfer target(Image: (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images))Liverpool is stepping up transfer interest in the market, but Manchester City could ruin the Reds' strategy by creating their own "masterplan" to swoop for a target.It comes as the Merseyside outfit is looking at fresh options in key positions, with the forward ranks taking priority, before a potential arrival in the midfield.For the latter, there are incomings and outgoings expected, with Curtis Jones the most likely to leave in the middle of the park as he enters the final year of his contract.Any arrival is likely to follow the theme of Liverpool's business so far, which surrounds landing young, promising talent for the future as part of a roster rebuild that looks at the long-term building of the team.In midfield, a target for the Reds is Ayyoub Bouaddi, the Lille and Morocco star who has impressed during his spell at the World Cup this summer.At just 18 years old, the midfielder has impressed with his mature displays in senior soccer, attracting attention from Liverpool, along with a whole host of clubs in the Premier League and Europe.That may create some difficulties for Andoni Iraola in sealing the youngster, as several teams will be pushing to present the best offer and pathway possible out of the available options.Among them is Manchester City, who Football Insider claims is creating a masterplan that would allow Bouaddi to rejoin Lille on loan for the coming campaign.It would be quite an advantage for City and new boss Enzo Maresca, as the Moroccan international would get a chance to continue his development in a deal that would suit all parties involved in discussions.Ayyoub Bouaddi has been linked with several clubs this summer(Image: Ayman Aref/NurPhoto via Getty Images)Liverpool and other suitors may be keen to get Bouaddi into the team immediately, creating a difficult situation for the clubs to decide how to approach a deal.For the Reds, it's a risk the hierarchy will need to weigh up. There may be a demand for more instant impact within the team, even for those signed with a view to the future, which could scupper an agreement.However, there may also be a desire to get a deal done that could result in a wait for him to sign.
While Jones could leave this summer, there is still a strong core of Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Florian Wirtz at Iraola's disposal for next season.It remains to be seen which route Liverpool decides to go down, and whether it will be enough to seal a deal for a highly sought after young player.If they decide against it, then it may be back to the drawing board for some new options to help bolster the midfield for the coming season and beyond.
