Liverpool Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Axel Witsel and Sergi Canos

Liverpool are falling behind in the race to sign Zenit St. Petersburg midfielder Axel Witsel after the likes of Chelsea and Napoli reportedly advanced in their pursuits of the player. Meanwhile, the club are on the brink of selling Sergi Canos to Norwich City.

The Sunday People reported Chelsea have moved ahead of Liverpool and Everton in the hunt to sign Belgium international Witsel, with both Merseyside clubs having already held talks (h/t Daily Star's Alex Harris).

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However, Liverpool are said to have stalled in their negotiations for the anchor, and it's now reported Blues owner Roman Abramovich has "made the most of their [Liverpool and Everton's] hesitation."

However, Russian football journalist Artur Petrosyan has told a different tale of events and recently alleged it was the Toffees who were actually in pole position to recruit the player:

More recently, Italian outlet Calciomercato reported Witsel has already agreed terms with Napoli and is presently in Sardinia to discuss the potential €2.7 million-per-year (£2.3 million) deal with his agent (h/t Football Italia).

The one thing that looks almost certain is Witsel will leave Zenit this summer, but as Kristof Terreur of Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws illustrated, the hunt for his signature is far from simple:

Witsel, 27, moved to the Russian Premier League from Benfica in the summer of 2012 for a reported €40 million, and the Belgian has steadily risen to further establish his name as one of Europe's midfield elite.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp would have a powerful stable of engine-room stars at his disposal if he could pair Witsel alongside Emre Can and Jordan Henderson, with James Milner and Lucas Leiva currently among his options.

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Elsewhere, teenager Canos is believed to be on the verge of moving to Carrow Road for a fee of £2.5 million, plus a further £2 million in add-ons.

That's according to James Pearce of the Liverpool Echo, and Anfield HQ highlighted the big funds the Reds are in line to pocket this summer following a major exodus:

Canos has made just one senior appearance for Liverpool's first team since arriving at the club's academy from Barcelona's La Masia in 2013, coming on as a substitute in the May meeting with West Bromwich Albion.

Norwich City would undoubtedly be better placed to offer the 19-year-old minutes following their drop to the Championship, and Liverpool stand to pocket a reasonable fee from his sale.