Liverpool and Manchester United hold a serious interest in Monaco centre-back Aymen Abdennour, who is set to choose a Premier League move over one to Serie A, and have jumped to the front of the queue.
The Tunisia international played a starring role for Monaco last season, helping the principality outfit form one of the tightest defensive units in Europe.
His agent has wasted no time in talking up interest in his client this summer, with Newcastle and West Ham linked with having made bids, while Juventus have already met Monaco to talk about the defender.
Abdennour has a whole host of clubs on his tail, but in news which will send shivers down other sides interested in the centre-back, Liverpool and Manchester United are heading the race to sign the player, according to L'Equipe.
Both clubs are on the lookout for a solid defensive reinforcement this summer and Abdennour ticks their boxes.
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Manchester United have been linked with Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos and Borussia Dortmund's Mat Hummels, but the pair could prove to be out of reach.
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers meanwhile is keen to fix a leaky defence which notably conceded six goals away at Stoke City on the final day of last season's Premier League.
Monaco, who finished third in Ligue 1 last season, are thought to want around €20m for Abdennour.
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