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Liverpool ready to compete with Arsenal to land Glen Johnson replacement Ignazio Abate
LIVERPOOL are looking to beat Arsenal to the signing of AC Milan defender Ignazio Abate as a replacement for Glen Johnson.
Johnson is unlikely to have his contract at Anfield renewed when it expires at the end of the season.
And that has Brendan Rodgers on the lookout for a replacement for the former West Ham an Chelsea man.
Reports in Italy suggest that Abate - who is himself in the final year of his current contract - is Rodgers first choice.
Indeed, it is suggested that the Reds could launch a cut-price move for the Italian in January in a bid to see off competition from the Gunners.
Arsene Wenger is known to hold a long-standing interest in the player and could well be in the market for defensive reinforcements.
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I couldn’t see myself in another shirt, at least not in Italy. At most I’d go abroad.
But the player could deal a blow to both sides after revealing his desire to remain at Milan for life.
Earlier this week he said: “My priority is Milan.
“I’ll stay here as long as I can. This is my home, although I know in football you can always be moved on.
“I want to stay here and finish my career. I couldn’t see myself in another shirt, at least not in Italy. At most I’d go abroad.
“But the time to say goodbye hasn’t come. I still get excited when I walk into Milanello.”
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