Arsenal and Liverpool chase Adriano

Shakhtar Donetsk boss Mircea Lucescu says Luiz Adriano can leave for just £5.5million

Shakhtar want to cash in now to avoid losing the Brazil striker on a free next January.

Adriano, 28, has previously hinted about wanting to play in the Premier League and recently confirmed that by turning down an offer to join United Arab Emirates club Al-Ahli.

Adriano’s boss spoke about how he was disappointed with the Brazil international’s decision and that they need to sell him sooner rather than later.

“The lad did not accept the proposal from the United Arab Emirates, one that was very advantageous for us” said Lucescu.

“It’s a pity, as we want to sell him now and cannot afford to lose him on a free transfer in January. The offer from Al-Ahli was for €8m (£5.5m).”

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has reportedly turned his attention to Adriano after his main target Gonzalo Higuain said he was staying put.

Premier League interest

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has identified Adriano as a potential strike-partner for Danny Ings – The former Burnley man will join up with the Merseyside club on 1 July.

Juventus’ Fernando Llorente is also rumoured to be on Rodgers’ shopping list with the 30-year-old reportedly saying he would be ‘happy to move to Liverpool’ according to Spanish publication Fichajes.

The arrival of Mario Mandzukic from Atletico Madrid would suggest there is a strong possibility Llorente could be leaving Turin this summer.

Written by Jack Wynne – @JackRobertWynne