EPL Transfer News: Liverpool Ready Deal for Sporting Lisbon's Teixiera, Abubakar

Liverpool are reportedly close to agreeing to a deal to sign Sporting Lisbon midfielder Joao Carlos Teixeira for a fee thought to be close to £850,000.

Teixeira will be out of contract in the summer and it is understood that the Reds are leading the race to make the signing.

The 19-year-old midfielder, who has been likened to former Portuguese and Barcelona star Deco, caught Liverpool's eye with an outstanding performance against the Reds in the NextGen series—a tournament for a selection of youth teams from across Europe.

Another potential target for Liverpool is Ghana U-20 captain Mumuni Abubakar, who recently completed a trial with the Reds. The Ghanaian had this to say about his chances of joining the Reds:

"

They were impressed by my performances during training and the match that I played. The technical team like my style of play, so hopefully they will sign me. When you go to trials, they talk to your agent and not you the player.

Liverpool is talking with my agent (Oliver Arthur) now. They're impressed with my performances so we should get a favourable response.

"

Watch Teixeira in action against Liverpool.