Liverpool have stepped up in their efforts to sign young Atalanta defensive midfielder Franck Kessie in the January transfer, according to Italian daily Corriere dello Sport.

The 19-year-old midfielder has been on Juventus’ radar for a while and even Arsenal's scouts have run the rule over the youngster, but it seems the Reds have made definitive moves to sign Kessie.




It has been claimed that the Premier League giants are close to agreeing a deal with Atalanta for the midfielder and are willing to pay a transfer fee of around €22m for the youngster.

Kessie’s representatives are also believed to have agreed a contract on the player’s behalf with Liverpool and the midfielder would sign a five-year contract worth €2.5m plus bonuses should the club finally get a deal over the line.
 


Juventus have long kept the player on their radar and have been hoping to secure his signature of the Ivorian, but the Italian champions now would have to trump Liverpool’s offer to get their man.  

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Arsenal have also been keeping a close eye on his performances but with the Reds moving in for the kill, it remains to be seen whether the north Londoners are also willing to get their hands dirty for Kessie soon.

Despite his tender years, Kessie has been a regular for Atalanta this season and has made 14 appearances for the club, scoring six goals in the process in all competitions.

His current contract with the clubs runs until 2021.