Tottenham are hopeful of beating Liverpool to the signing of exciting Lazio midfielder Ogenyi Onazi at the end of the season.

The 21-year-old has emerged as one of the most exciting young players in Serie A, with a host of impressive performances, and the Reds have been following his progress closely.

Reports in Italy claim Brendan Rodgers has already made it clearly to Lazio that he will make a bid for the Nigeria international in the summer, but Tottenham have now joined the race.

Just days after Onazi confirmed his desire to play in England, it's thought that Spurs' director of football Franco Baldini has made contact to discuss a move.

A small, agile but hard-working player, Onazi is a true box-to-box midfielder with an eye for a goal, and Baldini is confident Tottenham could get him for about £8million.

Lazio are already resigned to losing their man - and will now hope for a bidding way to break out between Liverpool and Tottenham.

Source: Metro