06 January 2023 , 16:40
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Liverpool and Arsenal are involved in a transfer battle over Spanish wonderkid Alberto Moleiro, who has previously been compared to Barcelona star Pedri.
The 19-year-old broke into the Las Palmas senior team last season and has become a key player for the Spanish side. He has made 22 appearances in all competitions, notching five assists to help them lead the Segunda Division.
His performances for the Canary Islands side has led to him being favourably compared to Pedri, who is widely seen as one of Europe's best young players. Those comparisons have also seen him come to the attention of a range of top sides, with numerous giant clubs battling to sign him.
According to the Daily Mail, Liverpool and Arsenal are chasing Moleiro and have been joined in that race by Aston Villa and Real Madrid. The Reds are looking to boost their squad this month after a disappointing start to the season.
Defeat by Brentford on Monday has left them sixth, 16 points adrift of the Gunners, who top the Premier League table. It may take a hefty fee to land Moleiro to boost their team, though, with the attacking midfielder having signed a long-term contract last July.
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That fresh deal will not expire until 2026, though it is widely expected that he will leave Estadio Gran Canaria before then. Villa are mounting a surprise bid to bring him to Birmingham, with boss Unai Emery looking to use his experience of Spanish football.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Which club should Alberto Moleiro join? Comment below.
Alberto Moleiro is attracting attention from a range of top clubs amid his standout performances for Las Palmas (Gabriel Jimenez/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)"We are speaking and we are working on the possibility to add some players. Really, I want to improve everything we can in the squad but I'm so happy with the players because I think we have very good players," Emery said this week.
"But, of course, we can improve and we can add in some position because I think we are not plentiful in the positions in the squad that I want. The next four weeks, we are going to try to add some players but, really, only if they improve our team."
Las Palmas boss Garcia Pimienta has leant heavily on Moleiro this season, with his side leading the way in the Spanish second tier. But in a blow to Liverpool and Arsenal, Pimienta has tipped Moleiro to link up with Pedri at Barca.
“Moleiro has magic. He is surrounded by great footballers and he is showing an excellent level. He has a very high ceiling, within a very short time in top-level teams," Pimienta said in October.
“I would like to see him in Barcelona, I think it’s a clear Barca profile, although we’re talking about big words. A team of gamers who normally generate many scoring chances.”
Moleiro will next be in action on Saturday when Las Palmas host Racing de Santander. Pimienta's men can go four points clear at the top of the table if they win and second-placed Eibar lose to Ibiza.