Liverpool transfer news: Reds face competition from Arsenal and Chelsea for Sofiane Boufal

Liverpool reportedly face stiff competition from a host of Premier League rivals to sign Lille midfielder Sofiane Boufal. The 22-year-old is one of the most sought-after players in French football and has attracted the interest of the Anfield club.

However, they will have to take on Arsenal, Chelsea and Southampton for his signature. Boufal's agent will reportedly hold talks with the Premier League clubs later this week about a possible transfer.

Boufal has been strongly linked with a move to Liverpool after scoring 29 goals in 43 appearances from midfield in Ligue 1. But according to Guardian journalist Ed Aarons, Liverpool face a battle for his signature.

"Arsenal, Chelsea and Southampton will hold talks with Sofiane Boufal's agent this week over potential transfer from Lille," he wrote on Twitter amid Liverpool's rumoured interest.

Frederic Antonetti, the current manager of Lille, recently warned the reported Liverpool target that he must continue his rapid improvement or risk missing out on a high-profile move."If the rumours disturb us, they can disturb a young player even more," he told Le 10 Sport, according to the Evening Standard.

"Of course, he is destined to have a great career. We just need to find out if it will be for a top European club or not. If he wants to join one of the best eight clubs, he must improve his performances," Antonetti said, amid reported interest from Manchester United and Barcelona.

"It's always better to move to one of these teams when you are ready, otherwise you risk just watching the others play [from the sidelines], and you don't improve that way."