Serie A giants Juventus and Inter Milan are reportedly both interested in signing Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara when he becomes a free agent at the end of the season.
The former Bayern Munich man - who has not played for the Reds since April owing to a severe hip injury - is expected to bid farewell to the Reds when his deal runs out in 2024.
Thiago's arrival in 2020 led to questions surrounding his suitability for Jurgen Klopp's counter-pressing system, and the 32-year-old has been plagued by a spate of fitness concerns since joining the Reds.
However, Thiago has proven to be a useful first-team player for Liverpool when fit, scoring three goals and setting up six more in 97 matches while winning the EFL Cup, FA Cup and Community Shield, as well as collecting a Champions League runners-up medal.
Thiago survived Liverpool's summer midfield shake-up, which saw all of Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita and Leighton Clarkson axed from the ranks, but he is not expected to be offered an extension to his current deal.
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The ex-Barcelona lynchpin is still waiting for his first appearance of the season following a pair of setbacks in his recovery, and Klopp recently admitted that he does not expect Thiago to return before the New Year.
Despite his physical problems, Thiago is not expected to be short of offers when he calls time on his Liverpool career, and Fichajes claims that Inter and Juventus are ready to do battle for his signature.
The Spain international is said to be open to trying his hand at Serie A football, and Juventus' need for reinforcements in the engine room is well-documented in particular.
The Bianconeri will be working without Nicolo Fagioli for another six months after the Italian was one of a few players implicated in an illegal gambling scandal, alongside Sandro Tonali and Nicolo Zaniolo.
Meanwhile, Paul Pogba remains suspended by the club after testing positive for abnormally high levels of testosterone in August - an analysis which was backed up a positive B sample last month.
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The French World Cup winner is yet to be sanctioned by the authorities, but the latest update from La Gazzetta dello Sport claims that he is likely to be hit with a two-year ban rather than the maximum four-year penalty.
Pogba's contract with Juventus does not expire until 2026, but the Old Lady are expected to terminate his deal if a lengthy suspension is confirmed, thus freeing up a large chunk of their wage bill.
Thiago is not the only Premier League midfield target on Juve's wishlist, as the Bianconeri are also reported to be plotting moves for Arsenal's Thomas Partey and Manchester City outcast Kalvin Phillips.
Meanwhile, Inter brought in Kristjan Asllani, Davy Klaassen and Sassuolo loanee Davide Frattesi to bolster their midfield ranks for the 2023-24 season, but Henrikh Mkhitaryan's deal expires in 2024.
Nicolo Barella was also linked with a move away in the summer amid interest from Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United and Newcastle United, and Inter could be braced for further approaches for the 26-year-old in 2024.
Ben Knapton
