Liverpool Close In On Barcelona Starlet Luis Alberto - Report

Liverpool are reportedly close to securing a deal for Barcelona B youngster Luis Alberto, reports suggest.

The 20-year-old attacking midfielder has enjoyed an extremely impressive loan spell with Barcelona's youthful second string where he has racked up 11 goals and 17 assists, form that has caught the eye of Liverpool's scouting network.

The versatile Alberto has been on loan spell from Sevilla this past season in Spain's Segunda division, but according to Spanish newspaper Sport, Barcelona have refused their option to sign the youngster for €5m, leaving the door open for Liverpool to snatch another highly rated talent from Spain.

The Reds are no strangers to looking at Barcelona's revered La Masia academy for possible transfer targets. Having swooped for Daniel Pacheco in 2009, the club were back again earlier this year, with 16-year-old attacking midfielder Sergi Canos the subject of their desires, convincing the youngster to turn down a deal from the Catalan giants and opt for Anfield.

The club are now looking to make it a double swoop this summer with their move for Alberto, who has also gained La Liga experience with Sevilla, close to being confirmed.

While the future of Luis Suarez has been thrown into further doubt after his recent comments suggesting he would be open to a move to Real Madrid, Brendan Rodgers and Liverpool have busied themselves in strengthening the squad after finishing seventh last season.

Having already suggested he wants to resolve Andy Carroll's future as swiftly as possible, Rodgers appears to have already searched the Spanish leagues for possible additions to his squad, with the club believed to have struck a deal with Celta Vigo to bring Iago Aspas to Anfield.

The 25-year-old forward has netted 12 goals in La Liga this term, and will bring the versatility Rodgers calls for in his in his forward options, a trait epitomised by his January moves for Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge.