Arsenal Rumors: Gunners Battle Liverpool In Signing Mourinho's 'Fighter' Target

RB Leipzig’s Marcel Sabitzer has become a top English Premier League prospect.

A series of impressive performances at Bundesliga, Sabitzer drew attention from big-name English clubs. In the January transfer window, Tottenham was rumored to be interested in making a swoop for the midfield star.

Now, two more Premier League giants have joined the race as Arsenal and Liverpool are both keeping tabs on the RB Leipzig captain, Spanish outlet Todofichajes reported.

According to the report, the Gunners were first linked to a move for Sabitzer in December, while the Reds have recently shown interest--with the club said to be eyeing the Austrian as Georginio Wijnaldum’s replacement.

But ultimately, Arsenal and Liverpool are engaged in a two-way battle to make a formal bid for Sabitzer.

The report adds that the 26-year-old has been a key figure for Leipzig but is likely to leave the club this summer despite his contract set to expire in 2022.

Tottenham, on the other hand, is expected to pursue Sabitzer, having kept its apparent interest in the midfielder.

It is believed that the Spurs have begun monitoring Sabitzer when the attacker scored against them in last year’s UEFA Champions League match.

However, renowned transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, who has had a credible source of transfer news, earlier revealed that Tottenham’s strong interest in Sabitzer was mainly because of Spurs boss Jose Mourinho.

According to Romano, Sabitzer exhibits the qualities Mourinho has always been looking for in a player.

“[Marcel] Sabitzer is a player that Tottenham appreciates, they have been scouting him for two years, so they like the player,” Romano revealed. “I would say that it’s not easy to negotiate with Leipzig because they know they will be selling [Dayot] Upamecano in the summer, so they will make money with Upamecano and it won’t be easy to sign in the same summer also Sabitzer.”

“But for sure, a lot of clubs are interested, Tottenham are among these clubs just because Jose [Mourinho] likes this kind of players, he has quality, he’s also a fighter, he’s running, he’s not just a quality, but he’s really like ready for Premier League football,” he added.

This season, Sabitzer has already notched six goals and completed six assists for RB Leipzig across all competitions.

The former Rapid Wien star’s current market value is around €42 million ($51 million), the same figure Leipzig is likely to demand to let him go.