Liverpool have a battle on their hands if they are to secure the services of Tiago Ilori this summer.

The 20-year-old has enjoyed a fine second half of the season for Sporting Lisbon racking up 12 appearances.

The Reds are scouring the market for a new defender with Jamie Carragher retiring at the end of the campaign.

Rodgers has already admitted it will be a 'colossal' task to fill the void left behind by Carragher. He has already placed Real Madrid's Raul Albiol on his shortlist as he looks to strengthen his back line.

Ilori has been on Liverpool's radar for a while and the Express Online reported Brendan Rodgers was prepared to pay £2m for the 20-year-old.

But according to Portuguese paper Record, Valencia are ready to enter the fray for him.

The Portuguese defender's contract expires in 2015 and his club are keen to tie him down to a new deal.

Ilori was on the scoresheet during Sporting's 3-2 win over Gil Vicente back in February.

Source: Daily Express