Liverpool plan to beat Real Madrid and Inter Milan in signing Villarreal star Luciano Vietto

Liverpool are considering a move in signing Villarreal forward Luciano Vietto in January, according to the Mirror.

The 21-year-old joined the La Liga outfit earlier in the summer from Argentine side Racing Club. In his debut season, he has been in fine form, scoring 10 goals and managing four assists from 21 appearances in all competitions.

Vietto's form and style of play have seen him being compared to the Manchester City star and is dubbed as the "new Sergio Aguero." The Reds allowed their star player Luis Suarez to join Barcelona earlier in July.

Brendan Rodgers has the services of Mario Balotelli, Rickie Lambert, Fabio Borini and Daniel Sturridge as the first choice strikers in the squad. The latter last featured for Liverpool in August and since then has been out on the sidelines with injuries.

In addition to this, Balotelli has struggled since making a switch to Anfield and is yet to open the scoring in the Premier League. The Reds manager admitted that the Italian international does not suit Liverpool's style of play.

The former Swansea boss has set his sights on Vietto and is keen on landing him to replace the void left by the departure of Suarez. Rodgers is aware that the Argentine cannot emulate Aguero or Suarez's form immediately if he joins the Reds next month.

However, the Northern Irishman is hopeful that his regular goals will help Liverpool finish in the top four and qualify for next season's Champions League. Vietto joined Villarreal on a £4.85m deal and any move from the Anfield club will see them spend £12m in January to secure his services.

Before joining Villarreal, the player's agent revealed several clubs across Europe, including Liverpool were interested in signing Vietto.

"We know that many top clubs are following Vietto. There is a lot of competition to sign him. Liverpool we know like him and so do Real Madrid – I think also two German teams. I think he could move at the end of the European season," Vietto's agent Jorge Cysterpiller said earlier in February.

A move for Vietto will give Rodgers more options in his attacking division. However, Liverpool are likely to face competition from Real Madrid and Inter Milan, who are also in the race for the forward's signature.