Liverpool are ready to offer midfielder Naby Keita in a straight swap deal for AC Milan’s Alessio Romagnoli this summer.
That’s according to Tuttosport, who say Jürgen Klopp has identified Romagnoli as the ‘most suitable’ player to partner Virgil van Dijk.
Reports over the last few months have indicated that the Reds will be on the hunt for a new centre back partner for Van Dijk this summer, with several linked.
Chief among those has been Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly, with several rumours suggesting Liverpool were ready to make a huge move to form what would be a formidable pairing in the heart of their defence.
However, according to Tuttosport it is another Serie A defender they have their eye on, Milan’s Romagnoli.
The newspaper claims that Liverpool are ‘interested’ in the 25-year-old and are willing to offer a surprise swap deal to secure his signature.
It’s explained that Romagnoli’s age, plus the fact his contract expires in 2022, have made him one of the ‘most coveted’ defenders in Europe and in order to beat the competition to his signature Liverpool are willing to offer Naby Keita in a straight swap deal.
Their belief is that both players are valued around €40m and so a straight swap would negate any need for ‘cash compensation’ as part of the deal.
Milan, for their part, are not all that keen on losing Romagnoli, as they consider him ‘a pillar of their future project’.
However, the chance to sign Keita is the only thing that could cause a ‘breach’ between the defender and the Serie A side and that is because of Ralf Rangnick.
The midfielder starred under him at RB Leipzig, earning his move to Liverpool as a result, and the chance to rebuild that relationship could be enough to tempt them into selling Romagnoli.
