Liverpool ahead of Man Utd for Real Madrid's Solari

Liverpool and Manchester United are battling for Real Madrid midfielder Santiago Solari.

The Sunday Mirror says Real Madrid are happy to stand aside as Liverpool open pre-contract negotiations with the Argentina international.

Real's behaviour is being viewed as part of the growing relationship between themselves and Liverpool.

The Madrid giants plan to land Reds skipper Steven Gerrard in the summer and hope the smooth negotiations which have seen Fernando Morientes and Antonio Nunez move to Anfield will help them in their bid.