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Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is making a £4million bid for young Sporting Lisbon centre-half Tiago Ilori.

Rodgers tabled his offer for the 20-year-old on Wednesday, and the Portuguese giants are set to give the Reds an answer quickly.

Ilori, born in London but a Portuguese Under-20 cap, is tipped for big things and Rodgers desperate to have him in a major defensive revamp.

The 6ft 3in former striker is classy on the ball and also dominant in the air.

Rodgers spotted Ilori and has now been given the cash to make a bid - although Sporting are not happy about the idea of selling a player who has only just broken into the first team.

(Image: Andrew Powell)

Ilori is seen as a key member of the Anfield squad next season, which is likely to include two or three new defenders as Rodgers tries to makes up for the loss of Jamie Carragher to retirement - and other possible exits.

Rodgers also wants FC Twente’s Brazilian defender Douglas.