Liverpool Must Pay £6m to Beat United to Scottish Wonderkid – Report

Liverpool and Manchester United scouts were once again in attendance at Dundee United and were sure to have been impressed after watching hugely-talented teenager Ryan Gauld contribute four assists on Saturday.

The 17 year old terrorised the Partick Thistle defence and was instrumental in helping Dundee United secure a 4-1 win that is sure to have caught the eye of the scouts in the stands.

Gauld has been watched by several Premier League clubs but it seems it is Liverpool and Manchester United who are competing to land the diminutive attacking midfielder.

The Mirror reports that both clubs are keen to secure his signature but have been warned by the Tannadice club that they will have to pay at least £6m for his services.

United boss David Moyes previously sent first team coach Jimmy Lumsden to watch Gauld make his debut for the Scotland Under-21 side against Georgia but it seems Liverpool are hoping to steal a march on their great rivals.

The Reds have brought through a number of young players since Brendan Rodgers took charge of the club and may well hope to convince Gauld that he will have a chance in the first team if he moves to Anfield.

However, there will certainly be stiff competition as it is reported that Everton and Newcastle have also sent scouts to watch the midfielder in action and may well decide to make an offer in January as well.

Dundee United will certainly not want to lose the youngster but manager Jackie McNamara is aware of the talent he has at his disposal and was huge impressed with his performance against Partick Thistle.

"He was magnificent today," McNamara told BBC Radio Scotland. "He's got the ability to see the passes before everybody else in the stadium can see it."

Gauld has already scored four league goals this season and recently extended his contract until May 2016.