Liverpool and Arsenal set to battle it out for Spanish winger

Twice-capped Spanish international Diego Capel’s club Sporting Lisbon have reportedly slapped a £6m price-tag on the winger, with Arsenal and Liverpool thought to be readying January bids.

Brendan Rodgers’ Reds – who are 8/13 to overcome a one-goal handicap against Fulham at Anfield – had a £3m bid for Capel rejected over the summer and could try to sign him again after Christmas.

The former Sevilla star has only just got back into the Sporting side after a month out with injury, but did score his first goal of the season last time out in the Primeira Liga.

Capel is one of Sporting’s highest earners and both player and club are thought to be in favour of a move when the transfer window reopens in the new year.

However, Liverpool were rebuffed after showing interest over the summer and it is not clear whether they will pay double their reported valuation of the 25-year-old.

Arsene Wenger has also identified Capel as a wide-man that would complement the Gunners style of play and needs cover on the flanks, with Theo Walcott, Lukas Podolski and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all struggling to stay fit this term.

The Premier League clubs could face competition from Marseille, if the Ligue 1 side fail to land top-target Florian Thauvin from Lille in January.

Arsenal’s north London rivals Spurs have been repeatedly linked with Capel since his days in the Spanish Under-21 side and were linked with a £10m bid for the player while he was still at Sevilla.

Lillywhites coach Andre Villas-Boas was thought to be keen to bring the player to White Hart Lane over the summer and could still compete for Capel’s signature if Sporting are willing to sell.