Legendary Italian manager Arrigo Sacchi has endorsed Liverpool's move for Parma's teenage defender Giovanni Leoni and tipped him to become the future of their national team.
Daily Mail Sport reported on Tuesday that the Premier League champions have stepped up their interest in the 18-year-old defender.
Leoni is expected to cost around £35million, with the deal unconnected to Liverpool's pursuit of Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi for a similar fee.
The Italy U19 has only played 17 times in Serie A but the Reds transfer department are understood to like Leoni a lot and are ready to pursue a move to sign him.