Queens Park Rangers hope to beat Liverpool to the signature of Napoli wing-back Armando Anastasio by offering the 17-year-old immediate first team football as Harry Redknapp’s side chase promotion back to the Premier League.

According to reports in Italy both clubs have scouted the Italian youngster, who is yet to sign a professional contract with Napoli, for a number of months and rate their chances of luring the right-sided defender.

Yet to make a senior appearance for Gli Azzurri, Reds manager Brendan Rodgers is said to see Anastasio as an ideal replacement for Glen Johnson in the distant future but faces a challenge in persuading the youngster to sign up to years in the reserve side.

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Redknapp, funded by Rangers chairman Tony Fernandes, is keen to build a sustainable future at Loftus Road after years of extravagant spending.

With more chance of playing in the second tier, Anastasio could favour a move to London should the Rs make their interest known, despite Redknapp appearing to build his side on the foundations of proven home grown talent.

Any negotiates between the two parties will have to be dealt with carefully, however, for the lure of representing the five-time European champions in the coming years will be at the forefront of Rodgers’ pitch.

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