£16.6m Uruguayan International Welcomes Liverpool Interest

Uruguayan international defender Jorge Fucile has reportedly welcomed interest from both Liverpool and Chelsea.

The Reds were linked with a move for the player in the summer, and have again emerged on the radar in the past week as Kenny Dalglish looks to add some strength-in-depth to his defence.

Andre Villas-Boas has also been linked with a move for the Porto full-back in the past, and The Metro reported yesterday that the Blues were back in the hunt to bring the player to England.

A Bola is now reporting that the 27-year-old has welcomed interest from the Barclays Premier League pair, and after rejecting the chance to move from the Primera Liga in the summer, he's willing to make the switch if either club meets his minimum fee release clause - £16.6 million.

Fucile is said to be a long-term admirer of Liverpool boss Dalglish, giving the Reds hope of winning the race for the player if they wish to meet his transfer fee.

Versatile with an ability to also play in midfield, Fucile would provide cover for both right-back Glan Johnson and left-back Jose Enrique at Anfield, as well as the more advanced wide positions for Liverpool.

It's also claimed that the arrival of Brazilian defender Danilo could speed-up Fucile's possible exit from the Estádio do Dragão, although Liverpool aren't the only club keen on the former Montevideo starlet.

Chelsea and Italian giants Inter Milan are also said to be keen on the player, with Villas-Boas' relationship with the player built during a season together with the Dragões.

The 34-year-old moved to Stamford Bridge in the summer, and a handful of players, including Hulk and Radamel Falcao, were tipped to follow the manager.

Despite nobody making the move, AVB continues to be linked with his former Porto stars, and Fucile is the latest in a long line of players emerging on the Chelsea radar.

With Alex set to leave and Gary Cahill's £7 million move to the capital yet to be completed, Chelsea remain in the market for defenders, and Fucile could be the answer if other deals can't be agreed.