Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool Linked to Brazilian Playmaker - Report

Premier League heavyweights Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool are interested in Lazio's Brazilian midfielder Hernanes, according to the Daily Mail. The report says that the English trio have sent scouts to watch the player this season and have been impressed by the 26 year old's performances.

Hernanes joined Lazio from Sao Paulo in 2010 for £11.2 million and had an immediate impact at the club, dictating the tempo of games and pulling the strings of the attacking moves. The playmaker, who is often compared to Barcelona's Cesc Fabregas, has scored 21 goals in 65 appearances in all competitions for the Italian side so far.

Lazio boss Edy Reja is prepared to sell Hernanes as he feels the player's style is similar to the club's Italian midfielder Stefano Mauri and is willing to listen to offers in the region of £16 million, the Daily Mail report added.

It is believed the player could be willing to move give the lack of first-team opportunities at the club; he has played a full match only six times this season.

The Brazilian is known for his versatility and although he is usually deployed as an attacking midfielder, he is equally effective at playing in a deeper position. He is two-footed, with the ability to stretch play by moving the ball to wide areas and also has an accurate and venomous shot, enabling him to score from distance.

The former Sao Paulo man has also made eight appearances for the Brazilian national team. Lazio could use Spurs' interest in Hernanes to land their long-term target Sandro in a swap deal with the North London club.

Meanwhile, Tottenham striker target Giuseppe Rossi has hinted that he would be open to a summer move away from Villareal.

The 25 year old, who has been linked to Spurs, Juventus and Inter Milan, has said that he could move in the summer if the right offer comes.

"You never know what's going to happen in your career. One day you're here, one day you're somewhere else," Goal.com quoted the Italian as saying.

"Obviously it's an idea which is nice because I think many players would like to play in the best leagues in the world. Like I said, you never know what's going to happen in football," he said.

Rossi had been injured for the majority of the season and is now gradually getting back to full fitness as Villareal battle relegation from the Spanish top flight.