AC Milan are reportedly keeping tabs on Naby Keita's contract situation at Liverpool.
The 27-year-old's long-term future at Anfield is believed to be uncertain as his contract is due to expire at the end of the season.
A recent report claims that the Reds have performed a U-turn on their decision to hand Keita a new deal and they are now prepared to let the Guinea international leave the club for free in the summer.
Keita will be able to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs from January onwards should he fail to agree fresh terms over a new deal with Liverpool.
The midfielder has struggled to reach the heights expected at Anfield following his €60m (£51.6m) transfer from RB Leipzig in 2018 and has been hampered with injuries during his time on Merseyside.
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Keita is yet to play in either the Premier League or Champions League for Liverpool so far this season due to a hamstring problem, with his only appearance in any competition coming in the Community Shield back in July where he made a five-minute substitute outing.
Across all competitions, Keita has made a total of 117 appearances during his four-and-a-half-year spell at Anfield, scoring 11 goals and providing seven assists, but he has missed 75 games through injury.
Nevertheless, the midfielder has won seven pieces of silverware with Liverpool, lifting the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, EFL Cup, Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup and Community Shield under the tutelage of head coach Jurgen Klopp.
According to Calciomercato, Milan are tempted by the prospect of luring Keita to San Siro on a free transfer ahead of the 2023-24 campaign.
However, the report adds that the Rossoneri are not prepared to match the midfielder's current wages at Liverpool, which could prove to be a stumbling block should both parties enter negotiations.
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Keita is not the only Liverpool player out of contract in June 2023, as fellow midfielders James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain also face uncertain futures, as do Roberto Firmino and Adrian, while Juventus loanee Arthur Melo is due to return to Turin when his temporary deal finishes at the end of the season.
While Keita could be one of a number of first-team players heading for the exit door at Anfield, Klopp is said to be keen to reinforce his midfield within the next two transfer windows.
Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham is believed to be his primary target, while Benfica's Enzo Fernandez is also said to be on the Reds' radar ahead of the New Year.
However, a potential swoop for either player in January is allegedly unlikely as the duo are valued in excess of £100m each.
The likes of Fiorentina's Sofyan Amrabat – who starred at the 2022 World Cup with Morocco – Juventus' Weston McKennie and Atletico Madrid's Marcos Llorente have also been linked with a possible move to Liverpool.
Oliver Thomas
