£10.5m striker 'rejects deal' - Reds to pounce?

Reported Liverpool and Arsenal target Gervinho has rejected the offer of a new contract from Lille, it has been claimed.

According to France Football, the Ivorian will not be extending his existing deal with the Ligue 1 club after dismissing the idea of a contract extension.

Gervinho is now likely to leave the Stade Lille-Metropole this summer as his existing deal expires in 2012 and, should he opt to run down his contract, the 23-year-old would be able to quit the club for nothing.

With this in mind, talkSPORT reports that Lille have told potential suitors that it will take around £10.5 million to sign Gervinho, while Liverpool and Arsenal have both allegedly been courting the forward in the past.

Skysports.com previously reported that Liverpool were 'leading the chase' for the Ivory Coast international, who is known to have a fan in Damien Comolli.

The Liverpool director of football's admiration of Gervinho began while the Frenchman occupied the same role with Saint Etienne, and he is now keen to bring the attacker to Anfield.

Liverpool are also following Belgian sensation Eden Hazard - who is also a target for Arsenal - in their pursuit of attacking reinforcements.

However, despite interest from Liverpool and Arsenal, the 20-year-old pledged his future to Lille in 2015 by penning an improved deal in March.

Source: GiveMeFootball

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