Liverpool Transfer News: Rodgers Must Fend Off Red Devils In Rakitic Race

Liverpool are set to face competition from Northwest rivals Manchester United over Sevilla captain and Croatian midfielder Ivan Rakitic.

The Daily Express revealed both Premier League heavyweights are interested in Rakitic, 25, but must pay his reported release clause of £33 million to land him.

Sevilla do not need to sell during the winter window, however, as they let Spanish pair Alvaro Negredo and Jesus Navas join Manchester City this past summer for big money. On the other hand, Rakitic is their only remaining prize asset.

La Liga side Sevilla have gone from European successes, including back-to-back UEFA Cups under Juande Ramos in 2006 and 2007, and top four finishes to being the best of the rest in Spain. They finished ninth last season, but still managed to get into the Europa League.

Rakitic, who has a year-and-a-half left on his contract, is Sevilla's skipper and top scorer with seven goals in La Liga this term €“ the same number Gareth Bale has for Real Madrid so far.

Both Brendan Rodgers and David Moyes have been alerted by Rakitic's recent admission that he has become frustrated with a lack of success at Sevilla. Liverpool seek a long-term replacement for captain Steven Gerrard, who is currently injured. United too are looking for a dynamic and creative central midfielder.