Liverpool chase £20m Newcastle United winger

Liverpool could splash £20million on French international winger Hatem Ben Arfa in the summer as Reds manager Brendan Rodgers looks to strengthen his attacking options for next season.

The Daily Express reports that Ben Arfa has been shortlisted as a possible summer signing for the Anfield club, but it will take a £20m bid to draw the midfielder away from St James' Park, unless Liverpool flop Andy Carroll is included as part of the deal.

However, Liverpool could face competition from Paris St Germain for Ben Arfa's signature. The former Marseille starlet has recently said it would be a 'childhood dream' to play for the Ligue 1 leaders.

Since his £7m arrival on Tyneside, Ben Arfa has been plagued with injuries, though he has shown enough skill and promise in his 43 Premier League appearances to possibly entice Rodgers into a move.

England striker Carroll, currently on loan at West Ham, became Liverpool's record signing when he joined from Newcastle for £35m in 2011 and could be traded back to the north-east as a makeweight in a deal to bring Ben Arfa to Merseyside.