Liverpool's efforts to beat Manchester United to the signature of Benfica midfielder Nicolas Gaitan are long in the making.
Louis van Gaal's Red Devils have been closing in on a deal to take Gaitan to Old Trafford and earlier this week an agreement for just such a move to take place was said to be 80 per cent complete.
It has since been claimed that Liverpool are looking to hijack Manchester United's push for Gaitan, but in truth the Reds' interest stretches back much further.
According to Portuguese sports daily O Jogo, Liverpool have been tracking Gaitan as a potential summer signign for several months, with Reds boss Brendan Rodgers a firm fan of the Argentine.
Benfica are thought to be looking for a minimum of €20m for Gaitan, who has a release clause of €35m at the Estadio da Luz.
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Liverpool dealt with Benfica last summer when they paid around £20m to sign Serbian winger Lazar Markovic.
However, this summer they are at a disadvantage compared to Manchester United as they have no Champions League football to offer potential signings.
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