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Maxime Lopez is only 16-years-old, but he is being touted as one of the next big things in French football. Already a star at Under 19 level,

has Marseille fans panicking that they could be set to lose one of their prized assets before he even pulls on the famous white jersey at the new look Stade Velodrome.

Right now Lopez is available on a free transfer as he has yet to sign his first pro-contract. Opportunistic Liverpool are looking to make a move for the attacking midfielder, and they have already begun courting the talented youngster.

Rodgers seems very serious in his plan to convince Lopez that

, the player and his family were invited to watch the derby against Everton as guests of the manager, the classic manoeuvre making it clear that Lopez had

.

Lopez currently plays for Olympique de Marseille’s Under 19 side, and impressed during this year’s UEFA Youth League. He played in all six group games, scoring Marseille's second in a 4-1 win over Borussia Dortmund and providing both assist as they beat Napoli 2-1 in the third group game. An impressive performance in London against Arsenal in November helped attract English scouts.

There is little doubt that Lopez is the great hope of the current Marseille youth side, former coach Bernard Gregori gave his opinion on the player to OM fan site Le Phoceen.

“He is small, in the style of (Mathieu) Valbuena, very good technically, serious, always well dressed, works on his physicality off the field. He has huge qualities”.

(Image: Mike Hewitt)

The player, who only turned 16 in December, has yet to decide anything, his brother plays for local side Consolat Marseille and has been targeted by clubs in Ligue 2. The club are clear that they want Maxime to follow in the footsteps of Samir Nasri and Andre Ayew, and Lopez will know that young players with quality always get their chance at the Stade Velodrome. It is, however, difficult to turn down the approaches of a Premier League side.

Liverpool wouldn’t have to pay a transfer fee for the youngster, as he is part of the youth set-up he is not allowed to sign a professional contract at this time. Marseille would be able to recoup a fee for developing the player, but it would be nothing like the transfer fee they would receive should he continue to develop in the first-team.

It seems, according to former coach Gregori, that the decision will be made by the player’s parents: “…he should have played in CFA (with the Marseille reserve team), but as we wanted to progress with the U19 side at all costs, he has been a bit restrained. At the end this will be a story about money… the parents will decide”.

Liverpool will have some competition for Lopez's signature as Arsenal's chief scout Giles Grimandi was in Marseille a few weeks ago to cast his eye over the 16-year-old talent.

Lopez was playing for Marseille’s U17 side in the national championship and it is reported that the Arsenal scout and former player was in attendance to watch the young player in action.

Grimandi and the small number of fans in attendance were not left disappointed by Lopez’s performance, the player wearing the number 10 in the video set up Marseille’s opening two goals as they saw off neighbours Nimes 3-0. Young forward Jeremie Porsan-Clemente scored two of the home sides’ goals in the comfortable victory.

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The opening goal shows Lopez find space in the box before beating his man and unselfishly squaring for Porsan to give OM a 1-0 lead. For the second goal, Lopez again finds himself in acres of space on the left flank, he looks up and picks out Anis Libotte on the edge of the box, the young attacker does well to apply the finish.

He is naturally right-footed, but likes to drift to the left, but it this age he is comfortable playing all along the midfield line. He makes intelligent runs off the ball, is eager to find space and get on the ball at every opportunity. For a young boy that at 15 has been playing and impressing against Under 19 opponents, right now there is no limit to how good Lopez could be.

Liverpool may have been too quick in showing their hand to the other clubs in England. Now that their interest is known, other clubs are now joining the queue to take a look at the talented prospect.

Only this morning French newspaper La Provence reported that Lopez was considering signing his first Pro deal with Marseille, the 16-year-old would sign a three year deal that would keep him at the club until just shy of his 20th birthday. Liverpool will need to act fast if they want to capture this potential talent.

It is obviously too early to tell just how good Lopez could be, but the interest from Arsenal and Liverpool may well have Marseille officials worried that they could lose one of their top prospects before he is able to delighted the 60,000 fans at the newly refurbished Stade Velodrome in the next few years.