Soccer News of Saturday, 4 August 2012

Source: insidefutbol.

Liverpool Join Spurs in Holding Atsu Interest

Liverpool have joined Tottenham Hotspur in holding an interest in FC Porto winger-cum-striker Christian Atsu, according to Portuguese daily.

Atsu is regarded as an extremely promising talent at the Estadio do Dragao and his potential has not escaped the notice of the two English sides, who are tracking his progress closely.

The 20-year-old spent last season on loan at another Portuguese side, Rio Ave, enjoying regular first team football at the Primeira Liga outfit and also catching the attention of Ghana’s national team coach Akwasi Appiah.

Eligible to play for Ghana, Atsu moved to Portugal from the African country at the age of 17 and was brought into Porto’s first team squad from the youth ranks by current Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas last year.

The wide-man duly clocked up his first national team cap in a 2014 World Cup qualification match on 1st June, marking his debut with a goal in the Black Stars’ victory over minnows Lesotho.

Atsu’s stock his high at Porto and the Portuguese champions will not easily release the youngster, especially as he has yet to truly make his presence felt at the club.

He is under contract at the Estadio do Dragao until 2014 – a deal Porto are sure to want to extend in light of growing interest in his services.

On the radar of both Liverpool and Spurs however, Porto may have a difficult decision to make over the winger sooner rather than later if substantial offers arrive from England.