Liverpool Linked To French Scoring Sensation

Liverpool have reportedly had
their scouts following the French
top division's leading scorer
Dimitri Payet who is on the verge
of winning his first senior
international call-up. The St
Etienne winger can play on
either flank and has been a
revelation for his club as they
surprisingly lead the French top
division after just seven matches.
Roy Hodgson has been linked
with a number of talented
wingers in recent weeks with
Galatasaray's Arda Turan and
Valencia's Juan Mata on his
radar. However, Payet is a far
more realistic target with his
price-tag reportedly set at a
modest £7m.
The 23-year-old is enjoying by
far his most productive campaign
with seven strikes in seven games
which includes a hat-trick against
Lens and a brace against
Montpellier. His previous best
return for the club was four
league goals in 2009. Payet's
sensational start culminated in a
stunning curled free-kick which
enabled St Etienne to finally beat
local rivals Lyon last Saturday for
the first time since April 1994.
The French U21 international is
being tipped to break into
Laurent Blanc's senior side ahead
of the upcoming Euro2012
qualifiers. Payet is renowned for
his pace, trickery and long-range
shooting. He is predominantly
right-footed and would offer a
more vibrant alternative to Maxi
Rodriguez on the right-flank who
has been disappointing since
arriving at Anfield, scoring once
in 21 league appearances for
Liverpool. Hodgson may have to
move swiftly to secure Payet's
signature as clubs in both Spain
and Italy have also begun to
register an interest.