Arsenal to move for Reds target

Cape Town - Arsenal are ready to bring Benfica's experienced defender Maxi Pereira to the English Premiership.

The Express report that Liverpool may lose out as Arsenal are ready to hijack their move for Uruguay defender Maxi Pereira.

The 30-year-old defender is out of contract at the end of the season but Arsenal are willing to offer Benfica the chance to cash in on the player or risk losing him for free in July.

Reports linked Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers with an interest Pereira in June before the Reds manager moved for Javier Manquillo on loan.

With Glen Johnson expected to leave the club at the end of the season, Pereira would be a good low-cost replacement for the English defender.

Arsenal are exploring several defensive options with the club struggling to deal with injuries and the sale of Thomas Vermaelen. 

Pereira is into his eighth season in Portugal and has been capped over 300 times for Benfica.

The defender has become a regular starter for Uruguay and was part of their World Cup campaign in Brazil. Pereira had the unfortunate honour of being the first player shown his marching orders at the 2014 World Cup when he was sent off during his side's loss against Costa Rica.