Arsenal and Liverpool in for Mexes

Premier League rivals Arsenal and Liverpool are set to battle it out for France and Roma defender Philippe Mexes, who will be out of contract in the summer.

It is thought the pair are turning their attentions to Mexes because their long-term target, Bolton Wanderers defender Gary Cahill, is carrying a £15 million price-tag which both clubs are reluctant to pay.

England international Cahill has attracted lots of interest over the past two seasons years after being a stand-out performer for the Trotters, and their reluctance to lose their star man could see would-be suitors look elsewhere.

Mexes is sure to set a bidding frenzy in the summer if he is to become a free agent after being a top performer for France and Roma for several years. Defending Serie A champions Inter are known to be long-term admirers.

Arsene Wenger has been tracking the progress of Mexes since he was a youngster at French club Auxerre, and it is now thought that the Arsenal boss sees the 28-year-old as the man to shore up his defence, though apparently he can expect to face stern competition from Kenny Dalglish at Liverpool.

Dalglish is looking to stamp his own mark on a Liverpool squad that has failed to live up to expectations in recent years, and with the ageing Jamie Carragher and injury-prone Daniel Agger in defence, the Scot will be hoping to convince Mexes that his future lies at Anfield.

Source: Goal.com

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.