Liverpool have allegedly identified Juventus midfielder Manuel Locatelli as a potential summer transfer target.
Aside from their mauling by Real Madrid in the Champions League, Liverpool have rediscovered some form in the Premier League of late, keeping four clean sheets in succession.
A run of 10 points from a possible 12 has catapulted the Merseyside giants up to sixth position in the standings, six points adrift of fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur with a match in hand.
Nevertheless, regardless of how Liverpool fare during the remaining months of the season, Jurgen Klopp has already acknowledged that a midfield refresh will take place in the next transfer window.
While James Milner may be given the opportunity to extend his stay at Anfield by 12 months, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will almost certainly depart on free transfers.
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Liverpool have already been linked with a wide array of potential alternatives, including the likes of Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham and Wolverhampton Wanderers' Matheus Nunes.
However, according to Calciomercato, Klopp may instruct the club's recruitment team to try to sign Locatelli.
The report suggests that Liverpool are already showing an interest in signing a player who is regarded as one of the key men at the Turin-based club.
Locatelli has made a total of 23 starts and six substitute outings for Juve this season, although he is yet to contribute a single goal or assist.
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The Italy international has still featured heavily in a that which would be sitting second in Serie A had it not been for a 15-point deduction at the turn of the year.
With Locatelli still having three years left on his contract, Juventus are in a strong position to fend off any interest in his signature, particularly when Adrien Rabiot could leave on a free transfer.
That said, much may depend on whether Juventus can secure Champions League football for 2023-24, Massimiliano Allegri's team currently 10 points adrift of the top four in Serie A but having reached the last 16 of the Europa League.
Locatelli, who rejected Arsenal's advances to sign for Juventus in 2021, is allegedly valued in the region of €35m (£31m).
Darren Plant
