Liverpool are interested in a deal to bring Giorgio Scalvini to Anfield next summer.

What's the talk?

Transfer Focus

That's according to a report by Italian media outlet Calciomercato, who claim that Liverpool have now joined the likes of Manchester City, Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich, Juventus and Inter Milan in the race for the Atalanta BC centre-back.

The report goes on to state that the 18-year-old is quickly becoming 'the most coveted of the Nerazzurri' in the transfer market, however, Atalanta are reluctant to sanction the sale of the Italy international in the January transfer window.

Finally, it is claimed that the Serie A side will be willing to listen to offers for the defender at the end of the current campaign, with the Bergamo-based outfit believed to value the teenager at a figure in the region of €30m (£26m).

The next Bastoni

Considering just how exciting a prospect Scalvini very much looks to be, it is not difficult to understand why Liverpool would be interested in a deal to bring the centre-back to the Premier League next summer.

Indeed, despite his tender age, the £17m-rated talent has highly impressed in the heart of Gian Piero Gasperini's backline this season, helping his side keep one clean sheet over his 11 Serie A appearances, as well as making an average of 1.7 tackles, 1.1 interceptions, 1.2 clearances and winning 2.5 duels - at a success rate of 50% - per game.

Furthermore, according to FBref, the £27k-per-week starlet also ranks in the top 13% of centre-backs in Europe's big five leagues for progressive passes per 90, in addition to the top 6% for dribbles completed, the top 3% for non-penalty goals, the top 1% for shots and the top 2% for shot-creating actions over the last 365 days - highlighting just how good the teenager is in possession.

These returns have already seen the Atalanta sensation earn three call-ups to Roberto Mancini's Italy squad, with the centre-back featuring against Germany in the Nations League back in June, as well as two international friendlies against Albania and Austria earlier this month.

As such, it is not hard to see Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig stated his belief in a post on Twitter that Scalvini is "the biggest talent from Atalanta's youth academy since Alessandro Bastoni" - as the 18-year-old would appear well on track to go on and replicate the impact the £51.5m-rated Inter Milan star has made on the Italian game.

So, with competition for the teenager reported to be extremely fierce, should Jurgen Klopp wish to give his side the best possible chance of landing the next Bastoni in 2023, the German simply must sanction a swoop for the starlet as early as possible, as it looks very likely that the "top talent" could well go on to become the next great Italian centre-back.