Liverpool join Gunners in chase for U-21 standout

I reported recently that Arsenal had sent scouts to all the UEFA U-21 Tournament matches to watch Miguel Veloso, now Liverpool has approached Sporting Lisbon about the player, reports A Bola.

The newspaper, not known for its rumoring, is generally accurate when approaches are made within the Portuguese League, and it claims that Liverpool have made preliminary inquiries about the player after it also emerged that their scouts at the games to watch other players were very impressed.

Veloso spent the entire 2006 season on loan to second division club Olivais e Moscavide and helped them on to promotion. Last season Sporting manager Paulo Bento put the player straight into the first team where he held his place despite Sporting’s biggest summer acquisition playing the same position.

Should Veloso leave Sporting have cover, and the Premiership a player to covet. He’s very sharp, especially his passing. He’s also excellent in the tackle and can play as a central defender. What apparently caught the eye of Liverpool most were his free kicks (video at bottom).

So has his stock risen that even senior national coach Philipe Scolari has his eye on the player for a sooner rather than later role in the national side.

Veloso also has pedigree. His father, Antonio, was 40 times capped and an SL Benfica defender for 15 years from 1980 to 1995, including seven seasons as club captain and seven times as Portuguese champions. He was also a member of the 1990 European Cup final squad that lost 1-0 to AC Milan.

"My father's influence is very big. He helps me in every aspect. He watches almost all my matches and tries to correct me in different ways. His great experience and know-how is a very important source of support for me." - Veloso

Liverpool should take note, this player is a serious talent, he must be for a club so stocked with midfielders to make an inquiry. This article goes in depth on the player.