Liverpool are in pole position to sign Napoli attacker Lorenzo Insigne, according to a report in Italy.
Corriere dello Sport claim the Reds are still keen on the Italy forward – a player who is understood to have been on Liverpool’s radar for some time.
Italian website La Repubblica, as quoted by Sport Witness, reported last month how Jurgen Klopp’s side had seen a massive €70million (£61m) bid for the Serie A sensation rejected in the January window.
The 27-year-old, who is under contract until 2022, has scored 13 goals and contributed seven assists for Napoli this season and is currently the captain of the Naples club.
A deal for the player would be expensive and the same report claims Insigne has set his heart on being reunited with Maurizio Sarri at Chelsea – a factor, if true, that could present a huge problem for Jurgen Klopp.
Last month Napoli chief Aurelio De Laurentiis declared that Insigne was not for sale.
Man City and Liverpool were reportedly interested in signing the Italian marksman according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, which claimed that the pair were prepared to battle with Paris Saint-Germain for his signature.
Speaking to Calciomercato however, De Laurentiis – who allegedly values the player at around €100million – reiterated that the absence of a release clause in the forward’s contract will make negotiations over a deal extremely difficult.
“He is not on the market, I have not registered interest in Insigne,” the club’s president said. “He is an extraordinary, attractive player, there are few like him.
“When someone is good, the interest of 7, 8, 9 or 10 teams is normal. However, one thing is to desire it, one thing is to give the money. Pay coin, see the camel.
“Insigne does not have a price, otherwise, we would have put a release clause in his contract,” he said.