Atalanta have begun talks to snap up Liverpool midfielder Marko Grujic, according to reports in the Italian media.

The Serie A side were named as one of seven clubs who were interested in signing the Serbian in a report last week, along with Crystal Palace, Aston Villa, Hertha Berlin, Borussia Monchengladbach, Werder Bremen and Eintracht Frankfurt.

However, it appears Atalanta are now at the front of the queue, although it seems they are only willing to sign him on an initial loan deal. They are looking to copy the success they had with Chelsea’s Mario Pasalic who they signed on loan for two seasons before they made the move permanent for €15m (£13.5m) earlier this summer.

Considering the Reds are looking to free up funds for their own transfer business, it’s highly unlikely that Michael Edwards would accept such an arrangement. The sporting director has reportedly slapped a £20m price tag on Grujic.