Liverpool 'contact agent of Brozovic over potential £52m move'

Liverpool 'have contacted the agent of Marcelo Brozovic with regard to a potential transfer' but Inter Milan want the Croatian midfielder to sign a new contract.

The 27-year-old, who has two years remaining on his existing Inter deal and a release clause of around £52million, has enjoyed an impressive season.

And, according to the print edition of Milan-based newspaper Libero, the reigning European champions are interested in signing him.

They report that Brozovic's agent was 'contacted by Liverpool simply to take preliminary information' about the possibility of a move.

But Inter have reportedly responded by stepping up efforts to get Brozovic to agree to a bumper new deal at the San Siro while also trying to remove the release clause.

Though Jurgen Klopp already has a very good midfield at his disposal, a move for the deep-lying central player, who has captained Inter three times this season, would show a desire to keep the squad fresh.

Liverpool were closing in on the their first league title in 30 years when the Covid-19 pandemic brought football to a standstill, sitting 25 points clear of Manchester City in second.

Brozovic, who joined Inter on an initial 18-month loan from Dinamo Zagreb in 2015 before signing permanently in 2016, has scored three goals and contributed five assists this season.

He was part of the Croatia team that reached the final of the 2018 World Cup, playing in all but one of their matches in Russia.

Capable of playing in most midfield positions, Brozovic is best suited to the holding role and is known for his impressive range of passing.