Liverpool have entered the transfer race to sign Sassuolo midfielder Manuel Locatelli.
Locatelli enjoyed a successful Euro 2020 campaign with Italy, who beat England in a dramatic final via penalties at Wembley.
As a result, Locatelli caught the attention of several European giants, including Serie A side Juventus and Premier League side Arsenal.
However, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Liverpool will look to make a transfer swoop for the midfielder this summer.
Liverpool will need to act quickly though, as Juve a closing in on a deal for the midfielder this week.
The player’s agent - who recently revealed that Mikel Arteta's men had made a £34million bid - said that Juventus remains Locatelli's No 1 destination.
He also said that Locatelli and the Serie A side have finally scheduled talks over a deal for Friday.
Speaking to Sky Sports Italia on Thursday, Sassuolo's CEO Giovanni Carnevali said:
'Tomorrow we'll have a direct contact with Juventus for Locatelli. He wants to join Juve.
'We'd be happy to sell Manuel (Locatelli) to Juve... but they need to pay the right fee.
'Arsenal made a bid to sign him and also a new English club is now in the race'.
Sassuolo will be hoping that Juventus table an offer that matches their £40million asking price.
In addition, Sassuolo have set August 8 as the deadline day for any transfer for one of their key players, including Locatelli.
Therefore, both Liverpool and Juventus have just nine days to close a deal with the midfielder.
As it stands, Liverpool are yet to make a formal bid for Locatelli, but they are expected to do soon.
Liverpool could also hold the upper hand in negotiations are Juventus can't afford to sign Locatelli on a permanent contract and must instead convince the player to sign a loan deal with an option to buy.
Sassuolo are relecutant to let their star player accept such an offer and have already rejected Juve's opening bid of £5m plus an option to buy for £20m.
Therefore, Liverpool could pull off a sensational transfer swoop if they were to offer a permanent deal at the club's asking price.