Liverpool are lining up a bid for Dinamo Zagreb midfielder Mateo Kovacic.

The 17 year-old Croatian talent is regarded among the best young players on the continent and has attracted interest from Manchester United, Real Madrid and Arsenal.

Liverpool know talks over Kovacic's sale are now intensifying with less than six months to run before the summer market. Zagreb media sources say Liverpool are keen to strike a deal now with Dinamo to avoid an inevitable auction for the midfield schemer in June.