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Chelsea, Liverpool eyeing `new Ronaldo’

Comment: 0 December 1st, 2011 by: admin

RIVER Plate sensation Lucas Ocampos is registering clearly on the radar of Premier League giants Chelsea and Liverpool.

The 17-year-old Ocampos, who stands 6 feet and 2 inches tall, is dubbed the new Cristiano Ronaldo and this is why interest on him is high.

But the price tag on the young Argentine player is pegged at 14 million pounds as Chelsea and Liverpool are told to bid for the price if they want to sign the hot River Plate commodity.

The Blues and the Reds were reported to have been eyeing Ocampos since October.

River have earlier insisted they are not keen to sell Ocampos until they gain promotion back to the Argentine top division. The outfit also said they had nixed a 15-million pound offer from Inter Milan.

But they are now making a turnaround as fresh reports bared they are contemplating a deal this coming January.

Liverpool have been scouting all over the South American market and are said to be targeting Chile forward Eduardo Vargas, too. But the Reds are facing competition from AC Milan who are also trying to snare the 22-year-old Universidad de Chile player.

Aside from Ocampos, Chelsea are also aiming to hire the services of Botafogo’s 24-year-old Brazilian left-back Bruno Cortes.

Powerful, quick and good in the air, Ocampos is a superb striker and has been compared to the Portuguese superstar because of his physique, position and style of play.

“Everybody wants to be like Lionel Messi, but Ronaldo is the one I like. I try to imitate him,’’ said Ocampos, stating his preference.

After convincing coach Matias Almeyda to start after a splendid pre-season form, Ocampos made his debut for River Plate against Chacarita Juniors last August 16 where he showed great maturity and character. He scored his first goal for hsi team on his second match on August 20.

But River Plate are currently in a dilemma as they were recently relegated to the second division for the first time in their history.

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