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Sandro Tonali in action for Italy's U19s.

Liverpool target 18-year-old Italian prospect Tonali, but face competition from Roma

Brescia president Massimo Cellino said leading sides in England and Italy have enquired after the teenager.

LIVERPOOL HAVE ASKED about Brescia’s highly-rated midfielder Sandro Tonali, but club president Massimo Cellino has revealed that the Reds face competition from Roma.

The 18-year-old has emerged as one of the most sought-after prospects in European football.

His potential has been noted by sides across the continent, with Chelsea and Juventus among those monitoring his development. It has been suggested that an offer of around €28 million could be enough to tempt Brescia into a sale.

Cellino has offered no indication that is the case, with there a desire on the part of the Serie B side’s president to keep a prized asset in his current surroundings.

Italy: Ascoli v Brescia - Serie B The midfielder has attracted attention from a host of Europe's top clubs. SIPA USA / PA Images SIPA USA / PA Images / PA Images

Interest is building, though, with the likes of Liverpool preparing more formal approaches after previously watching on from afar.

Cellino told Corriere dello Sport of a transfer scramble which could soon be sparked for a player being billed as ‘the new Andrea Pirlo’: “Yes, Roma have asked me about Tonali.

I’ve talked about him to [Roma director Mauro] Baldissoni several times, but I want to keep the lad as long as possible. Is he ready? I don’t know, he’s 18. But Liverpool also contacted me a little while ago.”

Tonali made his senior debut for Brescia in August 2017 as a 17-year-old. He scored his first competitive goal towards the end of the 2017-18 campaign and has remained a regular in the side under Eugenio Corini.

Italy: Ascoli v Brescia - Serie B Tonali and Lorenzo Rosseti of Ascoli Calcio 1898 FC battle for the ball. SIPA USA / PA Images SIPA USA / PA Images / PA Images

The speculation surrounding his future has not gone unnoticed, and Tonali recently revealed that he is a fan of Serie A heavyweights at San Siro.

He said: “I was an AC Milan fans as a child, as I have always said, but I am not thinking about the future. I am inspired by Gattuso, by his determination. He always gave everything. I would like to do the same myself. I would like to be coached by him.

“Pirlo comparisons? I feel good playing in any midfield position. I mostly play as the playmaker but I have no problem playing on the sides of the midfield. My dream? Going to t Serie A with Brescia.”

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    Mute adrian mc guinness
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    Jan 25th 2019, 9:30 PM

    Does that mean they paid off the first guys contract in October and have now rehired him while now having to pay off henrys contract? And all the while zero improvement on form! What a mess

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    Mute Simon Doherty
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    Jan 25th 2019, 11:47 PM

    So basically we’re going to be stuck with that boll!x back on Sky soon.

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    Mute Damien Byrne
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    Jan 25th 2019, 11:03 PM

    Villa dodged a bullet there

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    Mute Davedental
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    Jan 25th 2019, 10:32 PM

    What about Henry? He was on a three year contract!! Does he get paid for that in full? What an absolute croc of shxt.

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    Mute Stevie Doran
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    Jan 25th 2019, 11:53 PM

    Thought Henry would have. The sense to start managing at the lower leagues and work his way up.

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    Mute Ben Jamen
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    Jan 25th 2019, 11:25 PM

    So you’re so sh*te at your job, you are fired after a few months and the guy you replaced is replacing you… good job Thierry.

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    Mute Kieran Biggins
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    Jan 26th 2019, 9:14 AM

    Handball Henry. Karma is a bitch.

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