Liverpool have secret weapon to secure "brilliant" player Klopp has chased for a long time

Liverpool have long been linked with the signing of AC Milan star Sandro Tonali this summer - and could now have a head start, according to reports.

The Reds attempted to add depth to their midfield in the recent transfer window. Thiago, Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Curtis Jones suffered early season injuries, meaning Jurgen Klopp had to act.

The club brought in Juventus midfielder Arthur Melo on loan on deadline day. The arrival was much heralded, with Liverpool even having an option to buy the player at the end of his loan spell.

So far, however, things could not have gone much worse. Klopp, as he often does with new signings, elected to carefully introduce Arthur into the first team.

But the Brazilian pulled up with a muscle injury in training earlier this month, and is out for the next three to four months. His only appearance for the Reds has been a 16-minute cameo in their 4-1 defeat to Napoli in the Champions League.

Klopp's side have since been linked with a number of other options - with Tonali one of the more intriguing potential signings.

Sandro Tonali to Liverpool?

Liverpool have been linked with signing Tonali since he was 18 and playing for Italian side Brescia.

In 2019, the Italian club's owner - the controversial former Leeds owner, Massimo Cellino - told Correire dello Sport: "I want to keep the boy as much as possible. Is he ready? I don't know. He's 18.

"A little while ago, however, Liverpool also contacted me."

The wonderkid later moved to AC Milan, where he has become an integral part of the team at San Siro.

Compared to Andrea Pirlo, who also started his career at Brescia, because of his incredible passing ability and range, Tonali has racked up 11 appearances for the Italian national team.

IFTV pundit Marco Messina called the player "just brilliant" in January.

Liverpool's potential head start in Tonali race

Liverpool may have been handed a huge boost in their pursuit of the midfielder - thanks to AC Milan's reported interest in Reds star Naby Keita.

The Guinea international hasn't featured for Liverpool this term due to injury, and his contract expires next summer.

As per MilanLive, Milan are reportedly tracking the 'opportunity' to sign Keita, with his profile fitting what club chiefs are looking for.

That interest could potentially open up the chance for the Reds to either offer Keita to the Italian giants as part of a swap deal for Tonali.

Alternatively, the two players could effectively swap clubs themselves this summer, if Keita elects not to renew his contract at Liverpool.