Liverpool have entered the race to land Barcelona youngster Gerard Deulofeu who has been linked with a loan move away from the Spanish club in recent weeks.

Deulofeu is considered one of the best young prospects in the Barcelona academy and has been heavily compared with superstar Lionel Messi for his ability to run with the ball and score spectacular goals.

The 19 year old has become a regular in the Barcelona B side in the last two seasons and earlier this year signed a new four year deal as it is believed that he will soon be competing for a place in the first team under Tito Vilanova.

However, after Barcelona signed Neymar in a deal worth close to £50m it is believed that the club will be prepared to allow Deulofeu to join another club on a season long loan in order for him to gain first team experience at the highest level.

Deulofeu can play in a variety of attacking positions but much like Messi he is at his most dangerous when starting in wide areas and committing defenders. Last season he scored 18 league goals and he has been impressing this summer while representing Spain at the Under-20 World Cup.

According to Spanish newspaper Sport, Liverpool hope that new signing Luis Alberto can help convince his former Barcelona B teammate Deulofeu to make the switch to Anfield rather than a Premier League rival.

The pair played together last season and it seems as though manager Brendan Rodgers hopes that Alberto can have some influence over the young forward.

Liverpool have been one of the busiest clubs in the transfer window so far this summer as they have already completed deals for Alberto, Spanish forward Iago Aspas, centre-back Kolo Toure and most recently Belgian goalkeeper Simon Mignolet.

Should they manage to land Deulofeu then it would be a major coup for the club as the youngster is believed to be wanted by a host of clubs across Europe.

Source: IBtimes