Arsenal and Liverpool are going head-to-head for Valencia defender Raul Albiol.

The Sun says the 23-year-old has been in fine form for Valencia this season and his impressive displays have caught the eye of the Premier League duo.

Albiol is tied to the Spaniards until 2011 and has a buyout clause of £60million in his contract.

But Valencia are in financial turmoil and could accept an offer as low as £15m for him this summer.

Benitez's connections at his former club have seen Liverpool steal a march on Arsenal and Valencia's sporting director, Fernando Gomez, has now hinted the club could offload Albiol in June.

He said: "It is necessary to study each offer that we receive and after that we will decide.

"The money situation is complicated at the club but nobody has spoken with us about Albiol on a formal basis.

"But we are aware that the Reds have been scouting around here in recent months."