Liverpool are leading the race to sign Juventus attacker Federico Chiesa, according to reports in Italy.
Gazzetta dello Sport have claimed that it is the Reds who are at the front of the pack as the Serie A giants mull over their prized assets this summer. In Friday's edition of the paper, via Sport Witness, they suggest that an exit for the 25-year-old would pave way for the arrival of Nicolo Zaniolo of Galatasaray.
Jurgen Klopp's side are reportedly 'willing to get serious' about the prospect of signing the former Fiorentina attacker with the German seen as a keen admirer fuelling the move. It has also been claimed that 'manoeuvres' have begun with the players agent, Fali Ramadani.
Their report continues and suggests that Liverpool could table an offer between €40m (£34.2m) and €45m (£38.5m) as early as next week. However, it has been previously reported that Juventus want at least €60m (£51.3m) with European giants Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain seemingly among the competitors.
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Speculation continues to swirl in Turin, namely surrounding Chiesa. Following their points deduction in the Italian top-flight, they slumped to outside the Champions League places and managed to finish seventh in the league.
However, the lack of funds from the elite European competition has sparked suggestions that they will have to sell some of their higher earners this summer. Among those is Dusan Vlahovic, who has been heavily linked with a Premier League move in the past, as well as declining to trigger the option to buy clause in Leandro Paredes' loan from Paris Saint-Germain.
However, iconic Italian forward Paulo Di Canio believes that Chiesa will follow Sandro Tonali to Newcastle United. The AC Milan midfielder is said to be on the verge of signing for the Magpies for around £60m.
"I see Chiesa in Newcastle’s from three, provided that he’s the one we saw at the Euros," he said speaking to Sky Italia.
"He is a devastating player on the wing, especially on counter-attacks. I imagine Chiesa on the left and he could be devastating with Isak up front."
