Reports have emerged this morning suggesting that Liverpool and Manchester United are likely to slug it out in a possible transfer war this summer in order to gain the services of Tottenham Hotspur winger, Aaron Lennon.

Lennon’s performances have slowly been getting more consistent and he has been one of the first names to be put down each week by Harry Redknapp. However, these improved performances could back fire for Spurs as they now look set to receive a number of bids for one of their best players.

Lennon has also been in and out of the England side under manager Fabio Capello but looks set to finally hold down his place as his end of season form continues to get better and better.

Manchester United will want to sign the winger as it will allow the transition of Cristiano Ronaldo into a striker to be completed. With the retirement of Ryan Giggs also likely to happen in the next couple of seasons as well as the inexperience of the Portuguese star, Nani, he could be just the player that Sir Alex Ferguson is looking to bring in.

Liverpool also have a strong case as they don’t have an out and out candidate to fly up and down the right flank in every game. Numerous players have often done the job as manager, Rafa Benitez, often draws criticism for playing Steven Gerrard out there and out of position from the middle, which is undoubtedly his best spot.

If a bidding war breaks out then United may well just have the edge but this depends on the future of one or two of their players. If Carlos Tevez decides to pack his bags and move to Spain then it could in effect finance a bid for Lennon making the move a virtual certainty. However, Fergie may want to replace a striker for a striker, which would pave the way for Liverpool to make a bid for a player that they desperately need.

Spurs are reportedly asking around the £20 million mark for Lennon which, is a price United have a better chance of raising. Liverpool will have to sell first to have any realistic chance to snatch him but the players that will make way from the Liverpool squad look likely to be equally realistic to their cause causing Benitez a massive headache.

Harry Redknapp won’t want to let Lennon leave as he has already targeted a Champions League spot for next season. However, football continues to prove that every player has their price and based on the assumption that Manchester City won’t sneak in on the move and offer a stupid sum of money for Lennon then their city rivals, United, look like the most obvious destination for Lennon.

No doubt Liverpool will have a good go at buying him but the Berbatov affair showed that regardless of any amount of late bids once Sir Alex gets his nose in and is interested then the player he targets is rarely persuaded to go elsewhere. Lennon could well be wearing a United shirt at the start of next season.