As Liverpool looks for a successor to Steven Gerrard in central midfield, a 21-year-old may be someone for the future at Anfield.
According to Croatian news outlet Vecernji List, the Reds have agreed to terms with central midfielder Mateo Kovacic, but have yet to come to an agreement with his club Inter over a potential transfer fee. The report suggests the Liverpool offer of $23 million may not be enough, and that Inter is looking for around $27.5 million.
Kovacic made 35 league appearances for Inter last season, including 26 starts, logging 2,459 minutes and five goals. According to Squawka statistics, the youngster was fourth in all of Serie A with 59 key passes last campaign.
The Croatian has been linked with Arsenal in the past, although seemingly just speculation. His contract with Inter runs through 2019.
With Gerrard looking over the hill in his final season at Liverpool, the Reds seriously lacked in link-play, and it severely hurt their ability to produce goals. Philippe Coutinho had a stellar season in the attacking midfield, but there was always the feeling that he was bearing much of the creative weight himself with little service or assistance. The Reds signed James Milner on a free transfer from Manchester City, already securing one new midfielder to try and alleviate this concern.