Reds to battle Real for French ace

Liverpool are ready to beat Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid to the £15m signing of France star Yann M'Vila.

Director of football Damien Comolli has identified the Rennes defensive midfielder as a central player in the rebuilding of the Reds.

And the Anfield club's American owners are prepared to spend now in a bid to help Roy Hodgson's struggling side.

M'Vila, 20, just missed out on World Cup selection but has played all five games under new coach Laurent Blanc, including the 2-1 victory over England at Wembley.

Real Madrid have also contacted Rennes about the player who is under contract until 2014.

Last month M'Vila insisted he would still be at Rennes next year but added: "I could leave at any moment. I feel I am ready for anything."

M'Vila's Rennes team-mate Sylvain Marveaux, who is out of contract at the end of the season, was at Anfield on Wednesday night to watch the defeat to Wolves.

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.