Liverpool are unlikely to pursue Real Madrid midfielder Mateo Kovacic with a deal for Udinese playmaker Piotr Zielinski the priority.

Croatia international Kovacic has been heavily linked with the Reds in recent weeks with Real apparently happy to allow him to move on for around £20m after an unsuccessful season at the club following his move from Inter 12 months ago.

However, boss Jurgen Klopp is not targeting Kovacic at this stage and he's looking elsewhere to improve his midfield options ahead of next season, with Udinese's Zieliniski, who is tipped to join in a £10m deal, his priority.

Meanwhile, Klopp is still interested in Bayern Munich star Mario Gotze and Southampton's Sadio Mane but he knows securing the services of either or both of those players will be difficult this summer.

Germany international Gotze could yet stay at Bayern despite ongoing speculation he will be allowed to leave for around £25m, while Saints have attempted to put Liverpool off Mane by placing a huge £40m price tag on his head.

Source: ClubCall

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