Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is considering an £8m bid for Hellas Verona midfielder Jorginho, according to Tutto Mercato Web. The 21-year-old was a key member of the side that earned promotion to Serie A for next season, finishing with 41 appearances in the campaign.

Brendan Rodgers
Reuters

However, the Anfield club will face competition from domestic rivals Chelsea and Manchester City, according to the Express. The report also claims Arsenal made an enquiry for his services in January but were put off by his £6m price tag.

Of the three clubs linked with the young Brazilian, City are probably least likely to make a move. Manuel Pellegrini's men have already signed another Brazilian midfielder in Fernandinho; the Shakhtar Donetsk star joined for a reported £34m; and with Ivorian Yaya Toure, Spaniard Javi Garcia and the English duo of Jack Rodwell and Gareth Barry still in the squad, Jorginho would be surplus to requirements.

This leaves Liverpool and Chelsea in a head-to-head race.

Jose Mourinho's regard for Jorginho is unknown but reports in Italy say he is interested in the young Brazilian. As of now, the Blues have Ramires, Frank Lampard and John Obi Mikel among the senior options in central midfield, with quite a few young talents as well.

It is likely that if either City or Chelsea move for Jorginho, then he will remain on loan with Verona for this season, giving him a taste of top flight football before moving to the Premier League.

Rodgers' interest in Jorginho is possibly an option that could see the youngster move to England immediately. The Merseyside club have only Lucas and Steven Gerrard as key central midfield options, with Joe Allen, Jay Spearing and other youngsters not particularly impressing.

Meanwhile, there is still interest in the player from the Serie A.

"Jorginho to Milan? Recently I have not been called by anyone, I will be in Italy next week and I'll talk with the various leaders, not only the situation of Jorginho. To go to Milan we should join us too ... then we could talk about anything else. Before it is useless to talk about it and we have not agreed with anyone," his agent, Joao Santos, told Tutto Mercato Web.

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