Manchester City will reportedly face competition from Liverpool to sign in-demand Juventus defender Andrea Cambiaso during the summer transfer window.
Arne Slot's side are preparing for a changing of the guard at right-back, as they have allegedly failed in their mission to distract Trent Alexander-Arnold from the bright lights of Real Madrid.
The England international has reportedly decided to make the move to the Bernabeu on a free transfer at the end of the season, and his exit should trigger a wide-scale search for a replacement.
Conor Bradley is viewed as a capable deputy to Alexander-Arnold at this moment in time, but it remains to be seen if Liverpool deem him ready for the role of first-choice right-back.
Furthermore, Joe Gomez - another potential option at right-back - could seek a move away in the summer in search of more regular minutes, while Calvin Ramsay is currently on loan at Kilmarnock and has struggled with serious injuries during his earliest days at Anfield.
Liverpool 'join Man City' in race for Cambiaso
© Imago
As Liverpool scope out successors to Alexander-Arnold, La Gazzetta dello Sport claims that Cambiaso has emerged as a possible target, having been on the radar of Man City during the winter window too.
Pep Guardiola's men were said to have been putting together a £54.7m package for the Italy international, but Juventus slapped an €80m (£66.7m) price tag on Cambiaso's head.
The 25-year-old's agent did confirm that Man City held an interest in signing his client, though, and it has now been claimed that Liverpool could be the 'loose cannon' in the race to sign Cambiaso.
Juventus might have no choice but to sell Cambiaso to the highest bidder following the sacking of head coach Thiago Motta, as firing the former boss and his staff has allegedly set them back by as much as €15m (£12.5m).
As well as Man City and Liverpool, Bayern Munich are also rumoured to be monitoring developments surrounding Cambiaso, whom Juventus are now open to selling for around the £50m mark.
The Italy international is capable of functioning as a left and right-back and has made 35 appearances for the Bianconeri in all tournaments this season, registering two goals and three assists.
Cambiaso has primarily featured as a left-back for Juventus this season, but the 25-year-old predominantly plays as a right wing-back for Italy, although he missed their UEFA Nations League quarter-final defeat to Germany due to injury.
Who else could Liverpool sign to replace Alexander-Arnold?
© Imago
While Liverpool are said to be interested in Cambiaso, the Italian does not appear to be their first choice for an Alexander-Arnold replacement - that honour belongs to Bayer Leverkusen's Jeremie Frimpong.
The Premier League leaders are reportedly in 'direct contact' with the Netherlands international, but for his undeniable attacking qualities, he has little experience playing as an out-and-out right-back.
Frimpong is one of four possible Alexander-Arnold replacements that were recently assessed, but while the right-back is on the way out, there is reportedly much better news regarding Mohamed Salah's situation.
Ben Knapton
