Aston Villa have pulled off a stunning hijack, swooping in for a Spanish speedster Liverpool were actively pursuing. The shock twist comes as both clubs intensify their summer transfer plans, with Villa now one step ahead in the race.
Liverpool are in the market for young talent and with some of their senior stars looking like moving on this summer, the club are keen to bring in younger replacements.
The club have finalised a monumental deal for Florian Wirtz’s arrival from Bayer Leverkusen, but they have other priorities to sort out, including signing a wide forward due to Luis Diaz’s willingness to join Barcelona.
Liverpool have been monitoring a top young Spanish speedster as a potential replacement for Diaz, but it appears Aston Villa have stolen a march in the race to sign him.
Can you name these 10 Liverpool players from the 2000s?
Aston Villa press ahead of Liverpool in the race to sign Spanish speedster

Liverpool are closely monitoring Real Betis winger Jesus Rodriguez, who scored five times and registered four assists in all competitions last season.
The 19-year-old winger’s underlying numbers have attracted the attention of the Merseyside giants, but Liverpool are tied up on other deals at the moment.
And according to journalist Fabrizio Romano, Aston Villa have swooped in and are now in concrete negotiations to sign him from the Spanish club.
Villa sporting director Monchi has deep knowledge of the Spanish market, and the Midlands club are now in direct contact with Betis to negotiate a transfer for Rodriquez.
The Villans see him as a young player whose value will explode in the coming years and are keen to snap him up ahead of bigger clubs such as Liverpool.
The Reds will enter the race if they manage to finalise Diaz’s transfer earlier than expected.