Liverpool look to lure £8million target

Highly rated Wigan Athletic midfielder James McCarthy has emerged as a summer transfer target for Liverpool.

The Sunday People claim that the newly capped Republic of Ireland international has attracted the attention of a number of Barclays Premier League clubs after a series of impressive performances for the Latics this season.

Reds manager Kenny Dalglish is keen on bringing McCarthy to Anfield to strengthen his central midfield options, and sees the 20-year-old star as an ideal acquisition.

Despite his tender years, McCarthy has already made over 250 senior appearances at club level, both for Wigan and former club Hamilton Academicals.

After securing a move to England back in 2009 for a rather modest fee, the Glasgow-born star has excelled under manager Roberto Martinez.

McCarthy's services were in such high demand that both Scotland and the Republic of Ireland recently engaged in a public 'tug-of-war' dispute to try and secure his long-term international future.

It's not the first time however that McCarthy has appeared on the Anfield radar with former Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez said to have been keen to offer him a contract back in 2006 after a successful Reds trial.

McCarthy has since attracted the attention of other potential suitors, and is said to have been the subject of a January transfer bid from Chelsea.

The Blues may renew their interest in the summer so in a bid to ward off their rivals, Liverpool are prepared to pay up to £8million for McCarthy - nearly six times the amount he was brought to the DW Stadium for less than two years ago.

Source: Give Me Football.com

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