Liverpool favourites to take Barcelona's Cristian Tello on loan?

Liverpool have reportedly become the leading contenders to sign Barcelona forward Cristian Tello on a season-long loan.

The Merseyside club, who have already acquired the signatures of midfielders Fabio Borini and Joe Allen, have been linked with the 21-year-old in recent weeks.

It is believed that the Reds are close to signing Tello, however, a switch could be halted due to the Spaniard's uncertainty over moving abroad, according to Spanish journalist Guillem Balague.

Questions over Tello's Barcelona future were raised after the Catalans did not issue the forward with a first-team squad number.