Liverpool and Arsenal poised for transfer scrap over Jay Rodriguez of Southampton
Kop have earmarked England new boy as potential answer if Luis Suarez leaves - but the Gunners are watching him too
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Liverpool have lined up England new boy Jay Rodriguez as a replacement for Luis Suarez.
But Arsenal are also tracking the stunning progress of Southampton forward Rodriguez, who last week received his first England call-up.
The Anfield giants made enquiries over Rodriguez in the summer, when they feared Suarez may quit.
And manager Brendan Rodgers has kept tabs on the 24-year-old, who he believes can fulfil the Suarez role if the Uruguayan eventually leaves.
Rodriguez can either play as a central striker, where he scored 21 goals in his final season for Burnley, or as a wide or support forward where he’s been used by Southampton.
Arsenal scouts have also highlighted Rodriguez, as manager Arsene Wenger looks for candidates who could strengthen the Gunners' attacking options.
Having only joined Southampton for £7million from Burnley last summer, Rodriguez is contracted to St Mary’s until 2016 and executive chairman Nicola Cortese would put up a big fight to keep him.
Cortese may well offer Rodriguez a new deal to try to warn off the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal.
Meanwhile, right-back Nathaniel Clyne is the next Southampton player in line for an England call-up.
Rodriguez joined Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert in England manager Roy Hodgson’s squad for the friendlies against Chile and Germany.
But we can reveal Hodgson’s assistant Ray Lewington was also hugely impressed with 22-year-old Clyne, when he watched Southampton at Stoke last weekend.
Glen Johnson and Kyle Walker were called up for the Chile and Germany games, but an injury to either man could see Clyne give a chance ahead of the World Cup.
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