Serie A outfit Cagliari will reportedly offer Liverpool target Davide Astori a new three-year contract in an attempt to keep him at the club.
The Italy international is the subject of strong interest from the Reds and Lazio, who have also put a deal on the table which runs until 2017 according to Tutto Mercato Web.
While the Rome side are still in pole position to land the coveted centre-half, a source close to Anfield told Football Express News they are not out of the running yet.
There has been an acceptance on Merseyside in recent weeks that the 27-year-old would slip through their fingers if an opportunity to remain in his homeland presented itself.
Lazio jumped into pole position by holding positive talks with his representatives in June, but they have been left frustrated by the time it is taking to secure his services.
If a move to the Italian capital falls through, Liverpool are ready to firm up their long-standing interest with an official bid, despite having other defensive targets on their radar.
Astori has less than 12 months remaining on his current contract and could be available for as little as £4.5million if he rejects the chance to extend his stay at Cagliari.