Liverpool and Arsenal Face Competition from Valencia for Pablo ‘Paco’ Alcacer’s Signature

Liverpool and Arsenal are known admirers of Valencia's 18-year-old striker Pablo "Paco" Alcacer. They will have to compete with the Spanish club for his signature, as the La Liga club is keen to sign him to a long-term deal, according to the Daily Mirror. Alcacer reportedly has an £8million ($12.6 million) buy-out clause in his contract. 

The striker currently plays for Valencia's youth team, but is widely admired by Europe's elite clubs because of his exploits at the youth international level.

He was the top scorer at the 2009-10 UEFA U-17 European championship campaign, netting 14 times in only eleven games. He powered Spain to the final of that competition, where it lost to England.

He repeated the heroics in the final of last summer's UEFA U-19 European championship. His two extra-time goals reversed the 2-1 lead the Czech Republic held over Spain when he entered the match.

Alcacer has only played one game for Valencia -– a Copa Del Rey contest last season –- and has yet to make his La Liga debut for the club. Valencia started this year’s La Liga campaign well, winning three of its first five games. 

He tragically lost his father last month, after scoring in Valencia's 3-0 friendly win over Roma. The elder Alcacer suffered a heart attack shortly after the match.