Liverpool blow in pursuit of Frenchman

The agent of French starlet Antoine Griezmann has denied Liverpool have made an approach for his client.

The 19-year-old Real Sociedad winger has been heavily linked with a move to Anfield in recent weeks, but his representative John Williams has moved to quash rumours that Liverpool have launched a bid for the youngster.

He said: "I have received many questions about Antoine but now there are no offers on the table."

However, despite this apparent rejection, Liverpool are not expected to give up on the France under 21 international who has been identified as a prime target by Liverpool's director of football strategy Damien Comolli.

A deal for Griezmann would represent a significant coup for new Liverpool owners NESV and Roy Hodgson who want the Reds to be competing with the top clubs in Europe once again.

Hodgson commented recently that it is the vision of himself and John Henry that Liverpool will be competing for players with the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona - and Griezmann would certainly fall into that bracket.

The Liverpool manager said: "We want to be attracting the players that Barcelona, Real Madrid and Inter are chasing. It would be nice to think that we can shop at a high level."

Although Griezmann has a reported buyout clause of €30 million in his contract, he could allegedly make a move to Anfield for as little as €7 million.

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