Arsenal and Liverpool to battle Manchester City for teen defender

Premier League trio Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal are ready to thrash it out for Schalke's teen defender Malick Thiaw, reports The Daily Mail. 

The three teams are looking to bring in a new centre-back when the transfer window opens with the English giants eyeing up the next best young defender in Germany. 

Liverpool are expected to cash in on Dejan Lovren when possible and are looking to secure his replacement as they look to raid Schalke once again. 

Thiaw has been dubbed the next Joel Matip, which would appeal to Reds fans with the Cameroonian impressing when fit this season. 

City, too, are eyeing up defensive reinforcements across the continent, with the defending Premier League champions struggling at the back this season. 

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, meanwhile, is seeking to bolster his backline and the Gunners have, like Liverpool, been linked with a move for Evan Ndicka of Eintracht Frankfurt. 

Thiaw hasn't been handed the opprtunity to showcase his immense talent in the Bundesliga this season having made just one league appearance as a late sub earlier this month. 

It's believed the teenager has a lowly £6.9m release clause in his contract, which appeals to the Premier League sides.