Liverpool lead the race for Turkish playmaker Yusuf Yazici, according to reports.

The 20-year-old Trabzonspor playmaker impressed European scouts last season and was linked with the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United.

According to Turkish Football, Arsenal had an interest in Yazici, but have yet to make an official enquiry.

Now according to Football Whispers, Liverpool have stolen a march on the competition. They report that Liverpool scouts have been very impressed with Yazici and that an offer could be made soon. Trabzonspor are said to want at least £7m for him.

It so happens that Yazici shares an agent with Mesut Ozil, but that’s unlikely to mean much.

This seems to be a case of a good young player being linked with Arsenal just because it’s Arsenal, and not because there’s a genuine interest there.

If there’s one thing that Arsenal don’t have a shortage of, it’s playmakers, both young and old.

Yazici scored six times and provided 10 assists for Trabzonspor last season.