Liverpool close in on £17m deal to sign stylish midfielder who could be ideal Steven Gerrard replacement

Anfield side look to sign Inter Milan starlet.

Liverpool are edging closer to the signing of long term target Mateo Kovacic according to the Metro.

The 21 year old Croatian is seen by Anfield boss Brendan Rodgers as an ideal replacement for veteran Steven Gerrard, who has left the Merseyside outfit to join MLS side LA Galaxy, and now Inter Milan are ready to drop their original asking price.

The Serie A side had been after £22m for the midfielder but will now accept £17m for the former Dinamo Zagreb man, and Rodgers would do well to swiftly snap up the youngster.

Kovacic would offer Liverpool a fresh central midfield option with the likes of Joe Allen and Lucas Leiva not proving all that effective in recent campaigns.

Liverpool have previously successfully raided the San Siro side, bringing in Brazilian Philippe Coutinho from the Italian outfit.