Liverpool are set to go head-to-head with Barcelona for Lyon starlet Houssem Aouar, according to several reports. The 19-year-old has caught the attention of some of Europe’s bigwigs with his fantastic performances in his breakthrough season with Lyon.

The Reds were tracking the sensation’s progress and almost lured him to Anfield before he signed a professional deal with Lyon. But Aouar’s meteoric rise this season will now see Barcelona join the race at the end of a season.

According to Goal, Liverpool have started monitoring the France Under-21 starlet’s progress and could come back for the midfielder this summer. Barcelona are also keeping tabs, meaning it would be some battle for the highly-rated Aouar.

Aouar’s dazzling displays this season have caught the attention of Jurgen Klopp and Ernesto Valverde and both the managers are expected to try and lure the player with a sensational bid.

The 19-year-old midfielder, having made his debut last season in a 2-1 defeat against Monaco in April, has rapidly established himself as a vital cog in Bruno Genesio’s squad. Such has been Aouar’s influence this season that he has also kept experienced players on the bench.

He has played 25 Ligue 1 games for Lyon and also has a very healthy return of 6 goals. This season, he has 5 goals and 3 assists in 32 games across competitions. Aouar has had to struggle a lot to get into Lyon’s first-team and now that he has achieved solid experience this season, he says his short success so far has not come naturally.

“At training, I had to double my efforts,” Aouar was quoted by Goal.

“I know that if I was going to play professionally, to take the place of one of my team-mates, I would have to be two or even three times better than them. That’s made the difference.”

What has impressed many about the player is his versatility. Aouar has been asked to play on the left-wing, as an attacking midfielder and as a deep-lying box-to-box player. And in every role given by Genesio, the Frenchman has dazzled.

Should Aouar continue to dish out impressive displays on a consistent basis, he will soon find himself on the radar of other European big clubs.

As things stand, Liverpool want the talented youngster and they have to intensify their efforts after Barcelona’s latest entry for the midfield ace.