Liverpool are reportedly lining up a £16million bid for Bologna winger Gaston Ramirez.
Ramirez, who has been linked with a move to the Premier League on a number of occasions over the past twelve months, has been on Liverpool's radar for some time, with scouts watching him several times last season.
Premiership rivals Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United are also believed to have sent scouts to Italy earlier this year to watch him in action in Serie A, but it has been thought for some time that Liverpool were favourites to sign the highly-rated 21-year-old.
There had been some thinking that Liverpool's interest had cooled in recent weeks. Former Director of Football Damien Comolli and former manager Kenny Dalglish were both keen on signing Ramirez, but new boss Brendan Rodgers has never commented on the Uruguay international, who is currently on Olympic duty at the London 2012 Games.
But according to the Sunday Express, Liverpool are preparing to table a £16m offer.
Inter Milan are also keen on signing Ramirez, but his agent Pablo Bentancur this past week revealed he was in England for talks with an unnamed Premier League club.
"Inter, they like the player, but we are very far off with regards to the valuation, since now Bologna ask for nearly €25million," he told Calciomercato.
"The player is very likely to say goodbye to Italy, so much so that now I am in London to talk with a Premier League club."
Earlier this month, Bologna's sporting director, Roberto Zanzi, told clubs wanting to sign Ramirez that their valuation - believed to now be in the region of £16m - must be met if a deal is to go through.
And Betancourt believes the asking price is easy to justify.
"He is one of the most important players in his national team, therefore there is no shortage of offers," he added.
"He is unlikely to remain in Italy."
Reports in Italy in the past few days have suggested Tottenham were considering joining Liverpool in the race to sign Ramirez.