AC Milan are reportedly set to step up their pursuit of Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita.
The 28-year-old is currently out of contract at the end of the season, and as it stands he will leave the club for free in the summer.
Keita joined the Reds from Leipzig in a €60m (£53.5m) transfer in 2018, but he has struggled to find his best form with Jurgen Klopp's side.
Although he has made 127 appearances for the Reds, chipping in with 11 goals and seven assists, his time on Merseyside has been hampered by injuries.
With Keita in the final six months of his contract, he is now free to discuss a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs.
A recent report claimed that Keita is wanted by his former club, Leipzig, who are looking to bolster their midfield, with Konrad Laimer expected to join Bayern Munich at the end of the season.
The Guinea international scored 17 goals and provided 15 assists in 71 games for Die Roten Bullen and he is still well-regarded by the German club.
However, Leipzig are expected to face competition for Keita's signature, with AC Milan believed to be among his admirers.
According to The Mirror, Milan are set to step up their efforts to sign Keita on a free transfer when his Liverpool contract expires in the summer.
The report claims that friends of the player have claimed that he may feel his style of play is well suited to Serie A.
A move to the Rossoneri would see Keita link up with his former teammate Divock Origi, who completed a transfer from Liverpool to Milan last summer.
However, Origi has struggled to force his way into the side in his first season with the club, starting only five of his 16 appearances and managing only two goals.
Keita, meanwhile, has made 11 appearances this season, and he could be involved when Liverpool face their local rivals Everton in Monday's Merseyside derby. body check tags ::
