Premier League rivals to go head to head for Atletico defender

Premier League rivals Manchester United and Liverpool are set to battle it out for the signing of Atletico Madrid defender Jose Gimenez, reports the Daily Mirror. 

Both teams are keen to bolster their defence at the end of the season and have identified Gimenez as a possible arrival in the summer. 

The Uruguayan youngster has a little over a year left to run on his current contract and it remains to be seen whether he extends his stay in Spain. 

A lack of game time means Gimenez is very much at a crossroads in his career, with the 22-year-old registering just seven La Liga starts this season as Stefan Savic and compatriot Diego Godin are ahead of him in the pecking order under Diego Simeone. 

United boss Jose Mourinho is believed to be a huge fan of the aggressive centre-back, though Jurgen Klopp is keen to bring Gimenez to Anfield and will undoubtedly strive to beat off United in the race to sign the Atletico man. 

Gimenez has a £39m release clause in his current deal, though if he opts against penning a new deal at the Calderon, that price could be negotiated down with Atletico unwilling to lose the defender on a free.

For more stats on Gimenez, click here to view his WhoScored player page