Reds line up £4m Boudebouz

Liverpool's director of football strategy Damien Comolli will travel to France before the New Year to watch Sochaux star Ryad Boudebouz, Goal.com UK can reveal.

The 20-year-old has emerged as the latest France-based target for the Reds as they look to rejuvenate their squad in January by signing potential stars.

Boudebouz has been watched by a number of top European sides this season and has most recently been linked with Tottenham and Lyon.

The Algeria international has been given a glowing reference by Steve Hitchin, the highly regarded scout that Spurs manager Harry Redknapp accused Liverpool of 'nicking' last month.

Now Comolli is set to cast his eye over Boudebouz in person as Liverpool step up their interest in a player he already knows well from his time as director of football at St Etienne.

Sochaux are reluctant to sell their star player but it is believed they would struggle to turn down an offer in excess of £4 million to take the player to Anfield.

"Liverpool have shown serious interest in him and Damien Comolli will come to watch him at a game in the next two or three weeks," an insider told Goal.com UK.

"It is looking very possible that he will sign for Liverpool - he is an exciting young player who needs developing but is capable of special things."

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson wants at least four new players in the January transfer window but it is believed Boudebouz would arrive at Anfield initially as a squad player and is considered one for the future.

Boudebouz is regarded as one of the most exciting creative midfielders in French football thanks to his close control, exciting dribbling and sweet left foot.

He featured for Algeria in the goalless draw against England at the World Cup last summer in a central position but is equally comfortable out wide. He has already scored some stunning goals in his career including a goal from the halfway line against Monaco last season.

Despite representing France at youth level, Boudebouz switched his allegiance ahead of the 2010 World Cup to Algeria, the country of his parents.

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