Andriy Yarmalenko
Andriy Yarmalenko is wanted by both Liverpool and AC Milan. [Reuters]

Liverpool face stiff competition from AC Milan for Ukrainian star Andriy Yarmalenko despite reports suggesting that the Premier League club have already made a surprise bid for the winger.

Sky Italia has reported that the Reds lodged an initial offer of £19.7m as they attempt to persuade the Dynamo Kiev midfielder to make the move to Anfield.

Liverpool have been linked with several players as the transfer window comes to a close and it seems Yarmalenko could be a last minute addition as manager Brendan Rodgers looks to find a replacement for Stewart Downing.

With the England international being sold to West Ham United, there is a gap in the squad for a new winger and it seem Liverpool feel as though Yarmalenko would be the perfect addition.

However, it will not be easy to land the highly rated Ukraine international as the winger's agent Mikhail Gulordava has made it clear that Milan had already seen one offer turned down.

"Milan made a €20m (£17m) bid for Yarmolenko, but the only way to tempt Kiev's president is to make an offer that he can't refuse," said Gulordava, as reported in the Express.

"My client obviously wants to play for a club like Milan. He would like to follow in the footsteps of Shevchenko. However, Premier League clubs are also interested."

The 23 year old scored 11 league goals last season for Kiev and has impressive record for his country, firing 11 goals in just 32 appearances for Ukraine.

This type of form led Ukraine legend Shevchenko to rave about the highly talented winger, saying: "Yarmolenko is a great player - talented and quick.

"Even though he doesn't play in my position, up front, he still manages to score plenty of goals. If he works hard he could get to the highest level."

As well as hoping to sign Yarmalenko it seems Liverpool are keen to complete deals for defensive duo Tiago Ilori and Mamadou Sakho, with some reports suggesting deals for both players are now close.