AC Milan are reportedly closing in on the permanent signing of Liverpool target Adil Rami from Valencia.
Il Corriere della Sera claims the San Siro giants are in advanced talks with the La Liga outfit and the 28-year-old’s representatives, making a deal likely this week.
The France international spent last season on loan at Milan, which gave the Italians the edge over his other suitors.
A source close to Anfield told Football Express News that Liverpool were monitoring the situation, but the feeling was Rami’s connection with the Serie A club meant they faced an uphill struggle to lure him to Merseyside.
The powerful centre-half could move for a relatively modest fee, as he has only 12 months remaining on his contract with Valencia.
He was ushered out of the exit door last season after falling out with team-mates and the Spanish side’s hierarchy, having criticised his colleagues’ performances and questioned the direction in which the club was going.
Rami made 20 appearances for Milan last term, scoring three goals in the process, as they stuttered to an eighth place finish in the league table.
His final appearance for Valencia came in the 3-0 Europa League defeat to Swansea City, which saw the defender sent off to cap a miserable night for his team.