Manchester City are ahead of Liverpool in the race for Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Mahmoud Dahoud.

Pep Guardiola sent spies to watch the Syrian-born star in action in both of their Europa League clashes with Schalke as he starts to plan for next season, says The Sun.

Borussia lost out on away goals but Dahoud was outstanding in the two games, scoring a wonder goal that should have put his side through before they collapsed.

Liverpool chief Jurgen Klopp has been after Dahoud for a year but now Guardiola is heavily on the scene and poised with an offer.

Both bosses – on separate sides when their teams clash today – know him well from their days in the Bundesliga and have been tracking him ever since.