Lazio have reportedly contacted Cagliari with a view to buying Liverpool and Southampton target Davide Astori.
According to Il Messaggaro, the Rome outfit’s president Claudio Lotito entered into a dialogue with his counterparts at Astori’s club in an attempt to secure a £5million deal.
The report claims Lazio also face stiff competition from Serie A rivals Inter Milan and Fiorentina, both of whom are anxious to bolster their backlines before the 2014-15 campaign gets started.
Astori has jumped to the top of Lazio head coach Stefano Pioli’s wishlist and the hierarchy have made an early move as they look to leapfrog the Italy international’s other suitors.
Sources close to Anfield and St Mary’s told Football Express News that they continue to monitor the situation with interest, but both concede it could be difficult to lure the player to England when he has the option to stay in his homeland.
Astori has only one year remaining on his contract with Cagliari, who are unable to hold out for a large transfer fee as a result.
The 27-year-old, who started his career with San Siro giants AC Milan, has picked up seven caps for his country but missed out on a place in their World Cup squad.