Liverpool may reportedly be willing to give consideration to using Naby Keita in a proposal to sign AC Milan midfielder Sandro Tonali.
Jurgen Klopp has seen his options in midfield significantly restricted during the opening three months of the campaign due to injury issues.
Keita is included in the list of players who have been sidelined, the 27-year-old not making a single appearance since the Community Shield on July 30.
The lack of game time for the Guinea international has come at a time when he has less than a year remaining on his contract at Anfield.
Klopp has previously suggested that he is keen to retain the services of Keita in the long term, and the player has recently returning to training after a hamstring injury.
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Nevertheless, according to The Express, Liverpool may be prepared to discuss an exit for Keita if they make a move for long-term target Tonali.
For such a scenario to materialise, it appears likely that Keita would need to pen fresh terms with the Merseyside outfit.
However, a report in Italy says that Milan are monitoring any developments with Keita ahead of potentially trying to sign him on a free transfer.
In sharp contrast, Tonali is contracted to the current Serie A champions until the end of 2026-27, a factor which does not play into Liverpool's favour.
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The Italy international has represented I Rossoneri since 2020, already going on to make 96 appearances in all competitions.
Unless they are required to sell for financial reasons or the 22-year-old expresses a desire to take on a new challenge, Milan are likely to demand in excess of £40m for one of their key men.
Liverpool will have space in their squad if Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain joins Keita in departing the Premier League outfit on a free transfer in the summer.
Nevertheless, finances are likely to prove key, and Liverpool are also being linked with the likes of Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham and Brighton & Hove Albion's Moises Caicedo.
Darren Plant
