HUDDERSFIELD, ENGLAND - Saturday, October 20, 2018: Liverpool's manager Jürgen Klopp before the FA Premier League match between Huddersfield Town FC and Liverpool FC at Kirklees Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Italian journalist claims Liverpool ‘open talks’ for transfer target Sandro Tonali

Liverpool have been linked previously with Italian midfielder Sandro Tonali, but a journalist in Italy now claims that the Reds have made formal moves for him.

The 18-year-old Brescia player has been starring in Serie B, the second tier in Italy, this season.

Tonali has played every league game bar one this season, when he was suspended for a yellow card accumulation, and the likes of AS Roma and Juventus have also enquired about his availability.

The chairman of Brescia, Massimo Cellino—former owner of Leeds United—acknowledged last week that the Reds had been in touch “a little while ago” to make their interest known.

Now, however, that interest appears to have been firmed up into a concrete opening offer, with La Gazzetta dello Sport’s Nicolo Schira stating Brescia want up to €35 million (£30m) for the teenager.

The game in question, Brescia vs. Spezia, finished 4-4 on Sunday—with Tonali netting his side’s first goal.

Brescia are currently second in Serie B and pushing for promotion, just one point off the top, so although there is no indication whether or not the bid is for an immediate move, it seems unlikely the Italian side would allow such a key player to leave mid-campaign.

Tonali is a deep-lying, playmaking midfielder and operated at the weekend at the base of a diamond—though can also play a more advanced role.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_Y1J8XRePQ

He has two goals and five assists this season, which has unsurprisingly led to big interest from the leading Serie A clubs.

For Italy, he has represented the U19 team but has not yet stepped up to U21 level. Last year he helped Italy to the U19 European Championships final, starring as they finished runners-up.

In terms of his playing style, Tonali has been likened to the most iconic regista of them all: Andrea Pirlo, with composure in possession, impressive set-piece prowess and great ingenuity with his passing in the final third.

More from This Is Anfield

Fan Comments