Liverpool join chase for Rosicky

Liverpool are the latest major club to show an interest in Tomas Rosicky, the hottest prospect in Czech football, who Sparta Prague insist will be sold early in the New Year.

The Merseysiders made an approach for the speedy midfielder just before Christmas, but they join a long queue consisting of some of Europe's leading clubs.

Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Lazio, Internazionale, Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain are all keen to snap up the 19-year-old.

Sparta Prague president Vlastimil Kostal said that negotiations have reached a critical stage. "We assume that the entire issue will have been resolved by mid-January," Kostal said.

Rosicky, however, is keen to remain with the Prague outfit until the end of the season, so Kostal is keen to wrap up a deal whereby the club that wins the race for the Czech starlet loans him back to Sparta.

"I will not go anywhere now, I don't know why there's such a big fuss over me," said Rosicky. "I'd like to stay with Sparta at least until next summer."

The youngster believes that the more time he spends at Sparta in the Czech Gambrinuis Liga, the better prepared he will be to make the step up to the major European leagues. "I'm afraid I would be merely a benchwarmer at some big clubs at the moment," he said.

Rosicky claims he has no particular preference for where he heads next, but added: "I'd like to join a big club that would stand a chance to win the Champions' League."