Sources: Italian manager Liverpool like close to Juventus agreement

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• EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey

Liverpool are actively looking to find a successor to Jurgen Klopp.

Jurgen Klopp announced weeks ago that he has decided to step down as the Liverpool manager at the end of the season.

As revealed by HITC in March, Edwards was keen on the prospect of bringing Xabi Alonso to Liverpool.

The former Liverpool midfielder is at Bayer Leverkusen, who have not lost a single match in the Bundesliga this season and are just a win away from clinching the title.

However, Alonso has decided to stay at Bayer, so Liverpool have to look elsewhere.

Thiago Motta stance amid Liverpool admiration

HITC understands that Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim is on the radar of Liverpool. Thiago Motta is another manager that the Premier League club admire.

Sources have told HITC that Liverpool are among the clubs who have been impressed with the work that the former Italy international midfielder has done at Bologna.

Bologna are fourth in the Serie A table at the moment and could qualify for the UEFA Champions League. They are above the likes of AS Roma, Atalanta, Napoli and Fiorentina in the table.

Chelsea and Manchester United also like the 41-year-old former Barcelona, Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain midfielder.

However, HITC understands that Motta is ready to seal a move to Juventus.

The Bologna manager has emerged as Juventus’s top target to replace Massimiliano Allegri this summer.

HITC revealed earlier this month that Allegri’s position was under threat with Brighton and Hove Albion manager Roberto De Zerbi one of those being looked at by the Old Lady.

Sources have now told HITC that that Motta has moved into pole position to take charge at Juventus Stadium and an agreement is close between the two parties.

Juventus’s transfer plan after Thiago Motta appointment

HITC understands that should Motta make the move to Juventus, then Bologna midfielder Lewis Ferguson would be a target for the former Italian champions.

Scotland international attacking midfielder Ferguson, 24, has established himself as one of the best players in Serie A.

Juventus are also likely to make moves for defender Riccardo Calafiori and his Bologna teammate Joshua Zirkzee, should Motta take charge of the Turin club.