Liverpool have made a late move for long term transfer target Nicolas LodeÃro according to reports in Uruguay.
LodeÃro, 20, was expected to remain with Nacional for the upcoming Copa Libertadores campaign with reds boss Rafa BenÃtez preparing a summer bid.
Italian club Napoli, however, moved into pole position yesterday when president Aurelio De Laurentiis flew to Montevideo to secure a deal for the player.
It is understood that Napoli today lodged a bid of €5.5 million, a sum considerably below the market value for one of South America's hottest properties.
The Merseyside giants are expected to offer a deposit of £1 million with a view to completing the deal in the summer.
Both parties would be happy with this; Nacional would retain the player for the Libertadores and Liverpool could complete the deal at the end of the domestic campaign when funds will be available after sales.'
Last month Daniel Fonseca, the players agent, said he believed a move was too soon and first team football would benefit LodeÃro more.
LodeÃro is the archetypal 'trequartista', combining a high level of technical ability with the skill and intelligence to dictate the tempo of a game.
Despite his tender age, LoderÃo already has experience in the Copa Libertadores - the highest level of football on the continent - and he recently made his international debut for Uruguay.
Bit of info about the lad;
Nicolás Lodeiro (born March 21, 1989 in Paysandú) is a Uruguayan footballer playing for Club Nacional de Football.
Lodeiro is a promising playmaker and one of the best players in Nacional´s squad and also one of the best in the Uruguayan under 20 team, he participated in the South American under-20 tournament held in Venezuela, Uruguay finished 3rd in that tournament play-off and qualified to the 2009 Under-20 world cup held in Egypt, Lodeiro helped Uruguay reach the round of 16 in said tournament scoring two goals. He usually plays in a wide midfield position, but is equally efficient playing in the middle of the pitch.
Lodeiro played a vital role for Nacional in the 2008/2009 Copa Libertadores, which saw Nacional reach the Semi-finals. From then on, Lodeiro has been considered one of the best youth players in the country.
His senior international debut for Uruguay came against Costa Rica, in the CONCACAF-CONMEBOL 2010 World cup play-off. He played both legs of the play-off, showing off his exquisite technique in the second leg at home, where he was named player of the match for Uruguay[1], which local pundits have said Lodeiro was vital for Uruguay in this game and qualification to the 2010 world cup.
He has been linked with many clubs, including, F.C. Barcelona[2], Liverpool F.C.[3] and the Tigres UANL
Nicolas Lodeiro has the skill, quick feet and technique to shine for Uruguay at this summer's World Cup.
Lodeiro is a talented attacking midfielder who currently plays for Uruguayan side Nacional Monteviedo. Thanks to his quick feet, technique and similarly short height, Lodeiro has already been compared by the local Uruguayan media to Lionel Messi. It seems that like Messi, it won't be too long until Lodeiro finds himself playing in one of the major European leagues.
He was born in 1989 in Paysandu, which borders Argentina. It was here that he made his first steps as a footballer in the youth sides of local club Barrio Obrero. It wasn't too long before his talent was recognised by a local scout called Daniel Lopez who nurtured him to play for the youth team at Nacional Monteviedo aged only 14 years old.
Four years later, at the age of 18, Lodeiro made his debut for the Nacional first team against Phoenix on August 19, 2007. Later on in the year he also scored his first senior goal and it was clear to see that in Lodeiro, there was a new star in the making.
A year later, Lodeiro continued to make progress, securing more playing time and even scored against River Plate in the Pre-Libertadores playoff. But 2009 was the year that Lodeiro really began to make progress. His three goals and several assists in the Copa Libertadores helped Nacional to reach the semi finals of the tournament.
During 2009, Lodeiro also progressed on the international scene with good performances for the Uruguay under-20 national team. This included outstanding performances at a South American under-20 tournament in Venezuela where he scored three goals and led Uruguay to third place. He also contributed impressively at the FIFA under-20 tournament in Egypt, scoring two goals in four matches. Recently, Lodeiro made his debut for the Uruguay senior team against Costa Rica in the World Cup playoffs, having been called up by coach Oscar Tabarez. Lodeiro is very much in line to be selected for this summer's World Cup in South Africa.
Lodeiro is well known for his ability to glide past players with ease, due to his speed, close control and dribbling ability. He is also a very energetic player and his fitness ensures excellent movement on the pitch. Ladeiro likes to come towards a player in order to receive the ball and subsequently take control of play. However, he also likes to move wide towards the flanks and can often be found on both sides of the pitch and operating in the middle during the course of the same game. Lodeiro is two footed but has a particularly lethal left foot shot and is dangerous from free kicks.
During the 2010 winter transfer window, he has been linked heavily to former Italian giants Napoli. As Napoli is home to a number of Uruguayan players and a strong South American contingent, this may well seem a suitable home for the young play-maker.
LodeÃro, 20, was expected to remain with Nacional for the upcoming Copa Libertadores campaign with reds boss Rafa BenÃtez preparing a summer bid.
Italian club Napoli, however, moved into pole position yesterday when president Aurelio De Laurentiis flew to Montevideo to secure a deal for the player.
It is understood that Napoli today lodged a bid of €5.5 million, a sum considerably below the market value for one of South America's hottest properties.
The Merseyside giants are expected to offer a deposit of £1 million with a view to completing the deal in the summer.
Both parties would be happy with this; Nacional would retain the player for the Libertadores and Liverpool could complete the deal at the end of the domestic campaign when funds will be available after sales.'
Last month Daniel Fonseca, the players agent, said he believed a move was too soon and first team football would benefit LodeÃro more.
LodeÃro is the archetypal 'trequartista', combining a high level of technical ability with the skill and intelligence to dictate the tempo of a game.
Despite his tender age, LoderÃo already has experience in the Copa Libertadores - the highest level of football on the continent - and he recently made his international debut for Uruguay.
Bit of info about the lad;
Nicolás Lodeiro (born March 21, 1989 in Paysandú) is a Uruguayan footballer playing for Club Nacional de Football.
Lodeiro is a promising playmaker and one of the best players in Nacional´s squad and also one of the best in the Uruguayan under 20 team, he participated in the South American under-20 tournament held in Venezuela, Uruguay finished 3rd in that tournament play-off and qualified to the 2009 Under-20 world cup held in Egypt, Lodeiro helped Uruguay reach the round of 16 in said tournament scoring two goals. He usually plays in a wide midfield position, but is equally efficient playing in the middle of the pitch.
Lodeiro played a vital role for Nacional in the 2008/2009 Copa Libertadores, which saw Nacional reach the Semi-finals. From then on, Lodeiro has been considered one of the best youth players in the country.
His senior international debut for Uruguay came against Costa Rica, in the CONCACAF-CONMEBOL 2010 World cup play-off. He played both legs of the play-off, showing off his exquisite technique in the second leg at home, where he was named player of the match for Uruguay[1], which local pundits have said Lodeiro was vital for Uruguay in this game and qualification to the 2010 world cup.
He has been linked with many clubs, including, F.C. Barcelona[2], Liverpool F.C.[3] and the Tigres UANL
Nicolas Lodeiro has the skill, quick feet and technique to shine for Uruguay at this summer's World Cup.
Lodeiro is a talented attacking midfielder who currently plays for Uruguayan side Nacional Monteviedo. Thanks to his quick feet, technique and similarly short height, Lodeiro has already been compared by the local Uruguayan media to Lionel Messi. It seems that like Messi, it won't be too long until Lodeiro finds himself playing in one of the major European leagues.
He was born in 1989 in Paysandu, which borders Argentina. It was here that he made his first steps as a footballer in the youth sides of local club Barrio Obrero. It wasn't too long before his talent was recognised by a local scout called Daniel Lopez who nurtured him to play for the youth team at Nacional Monteviedo aged only 14 years old.
Four years later, at the age of 18, Lodeiro made his debut for the Nacional first team against Phoenix on August 19, 2007. Later on in the year he also scored his first senior goal and it was clear to see that in Lodeiro, there was a new star in the making.
A year later, Lodeiro continued to make progress, securing more playing time and even scored against River Plate in the Pre-Libertadores playoff. But 2009 was the year that Lodeiro really began to make progress. His three goals and several assists in the Copa Libertadores helped Nacional to reach the semi finals of the tournament.
During 2009, Lodeiro also progressed on the international scene with good performances for the Uruguay under-20 national team. This included outstanding performances at a South American under-20 tournament in Venezuela where he scored three goals and led Uruguay to third place. He also contributed impressively at the FIFA under-20 tournament in Egypt, scoring two goals in four matches. Recently, Lodeiro made his debut for the Uruguay senior team against Costa Rica in the World Cup playoffs, having been called up by coach Oscar Tabarez. Lodeiro is very much in line to be selected for this summer's World Cup in South Africa.
Lodeiro is well known for his ability to glide past players with ease, due to his speed, close control and dribbling ability. He is also a very energetic player and his fitness ensures excellent movement on the pitch. Ladeiro likes to come towards a player in order to receive the ball and subsequently take control of play. However, he also likes to move wide towards the flanks and can often be found on both sides of the pitch and operating in the middle during the course of the same game. Lodeiro is two footed but has a particularly lethal left foot shot and is dangerous from free kicks.
During the 2010 winter transfer window, he has been linked heavily to former Italian giants Napoli. As Napoli is home to a number of Uruguayan players and a strong South American contingent, this may well seem a suitable home for the young play-maker.
