Report: Liverpool, Stoke City to battle for Mauro Zarate

Liverpool and Stoke City are said to be among a host of clubs interested in signing Lazio forward Mauro Zarate.

The out-of-favour 25-year-old, who spent last season on loan at Inter Milan, has played just 22 minutes in Serie A for the Rome outfit this season.

He is likely to leave the Stadio Olimpico in January and, according to The Metro, both the Potters and the Reds are willing to meet Lazio's reported €10m asking price for the player.

However, the Premier League duo may face stiff competition from Malaga and Spartak Moscow.

Zarate made 14 Premier League appearances and scored four goals during a loan spell at Birmingham City in 2008.