Liverpool face threat from Milan in bid to land Barca star

Liverpool target Seydou Keita could be about to snub the Anfield side and agree to a switch to AC Milan.

The Mali international has been looking for a new challenge away from Barcelona after falling behind their long list of midfield stars and becoming a sporadically used substitute.

The 32-year-old is looking for a contract that will take him to the end of his career and Russian super-spenders Anzhi have also made their interest known.

But Barca are prepared to use Keita as a makeweight in a deal to refresh their squad and are considering offering him plus cash to AC Milan in a deal for Brazilian centre-back Thiago Silva.

Keita has previously described Liverpool as "a great club with great players", but he might now prefer a move to the San Siro, according to Spanish newspaper Sport.