More potential suitors are reportedly emerging for Liverpool transfer target Marko Pjaca, as Juventus are said to be talking to the young talent, while Sadio Mane’s move to Anfield is moving ever closer, with the two clubs agreeing to a £30 million deal.

According to Alessandra Stefanelli of TuttoMercatoWeb.com, the Bianconeri have contacted the entourage of Pjaca, one of the top breakout stars of the UEFA Euro 2016 tournament.

AC Milan, Inter Milan, Liverpool, Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund are all reportedly keeping an eye on the 21-year-old.

La Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Metro‘s Mark Brus) previously reported Liverpool had already launched a £12 million offer, which was rejected by his current club, Dinamo Zagreb. His agent has been talking up a transfer, revealing there has been plenty of interest from foreign clubs, via MilanNews.it (h/t Football Italia).

Here’s a look at the player all those clubs are reportedly vying for:

Pjaca rose to attention with a couple of fine performances during Euro 2016, stealing the show in the 2-1 win over Spain. The winger, who can also play as a second striker or attacking midfielder, stood out with his raw athletic ability and dribbling, routinely beating his marker throughout the tournament.

He was left on the bench in the 1-0 loss against Portugal until late in the match, a decision that didn’t sit well with BT Sport’s James Horncastle:

While he’s still a young and raw prospect, Pjaca showed remarkable maturity during Euro 2016, and it’s easy to see why top clubs are interested. Dinamo have a superb reputation for nurturing talent, and their top prospects usually go on to make a big impact when they do make the move out west.

Elsewhere, it’s reported Southampton star Mane is set to take a medical before completing a £30 million move to Liverpool, handing manager Jurgen Klopp the attacking help he desired during the summer transfer window.

According to MailOnline’s Dominic King, he has been given “permission” to travel to Anfield to complete the deal. Per the report, personal terms have yet to be agreed.

Mane has been heavily linked with Liverpool these last few weeks, as it became clear Klopp was determined to add the speedy and versatile forward to his squad.

The Senegal international shares many of the same traits Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang did when he joined Borussia Dortmund in 2013, and he finished the 2015-16 Premier League season in fantastic form, scoring six goals for the Saints in his last five outings.

Per Kristian Walsh of the Liverpool Echo, the 24-year-old carries some risks, but he should be a solid fit for Klopp‘s high-paced, counter-attacking style of play:

In short, Mane creates and scores goals. He scored 15 in all competitions in 2015-16, following up from the 10 he notched in his debut season at Southampton. His arrival would add extra threat to the attack.

[…] He can struggle for consistency, as evidenced by being relegated to the bench for a period under (Ronald) Koeman – though that, also, had roots in his desire to move in January. Capable of moments of magic, he can also go through periods without making an impact.

The reported fee of £30 million is steep for a player who scored just 11 Premier League goals last season and endured a 16-match scoring slump. Consistency is a major issue with Mane, even if some of his struggles can be attributed to his obvious wish to move to a bigger club, as Walsh rightly pointed out.

Some fans will also not be happy Klopp will continue the trend of buying Southampton players, as the Daily Mirror‘s Liam Canning noted:

Mane and Klopp deserve the benefit of the doubt, however. The German built a phenomenal reputation for recognising and developing talent during his time with Dortmund, and based on his track record, there’s every reason to believe he can unlock the superstar potential Mane clearly possesses.

Canning agreed he could be a special talent if he finds some consistency, something Klopp should be able to help him with:

If the deal becomes official, Klopp will have two ultra-athletic forwards he can pair together or move around in his squad, as Divock Origi also showed plenty of promise during the second half of last season.

A healthy Daniel Sturridge should lead the attack, but the England international can’t seem to shake the injury bug―Mane will add some much needed depth.

Experienced, Premier League-proven strikers always come at a premium, and while £30 million is a big investment, Mane could well be considered a steal in two or three years if Klopp works his magic.

 

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