Liverpool set to miss out in race for La Liga star

By Staff Writer
Updated: 6 November, 2012

Liverpool look set to miss out on the signature of Athletic Bilbao defender Fernando Amorebieta according to The Metro after they claimed Zenit St Petersburg will out-bid the English side.

The Venzuelan was linked with Liverpool by Marca in July after claims that Anfield boss Brendan Rodgers believed the 27-year-old would fit perfectly into his Liverpool playing system. It was also further claimed contact had already been made with the Basque club over a possible move.

However, it is now understood that Russian side Zenit and Italian giants Roma are showing increased interest in Amorebieta – who could now be available for a knock-down fee of around £8 million. Reports from TalkSPORT on Monday claimed officials from big spending Zent have already met with their counterparts at Athletic over a possible switch during the January transfer window – a claim also substantiated by The Metro.

Amorebieta is reported to have a buy-out clause of £26 million on his current deal at San Mames, however, with that expiring in June 2013 Athletic face the very real prospect of losing the player for nothing should a new contract not be penned.

Liverpool were originally priced out of a move for Amorebieta when they were told they would have to meet the player’s buy-out fee, however, with the player set to be made available for a significantly lower price, Brendan Rodgers may still be hopeful of taking him to Anfield.

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