Liverpool are locked in talks with Inter Milan for Mateo Kovacic.

Calciomercato.it says three Liverpool officials last week met with Inter director Piero Ausilio to discuss the Croatia international.

Liverpool see Kovacic as a replacement for former captain Steven Gerrard.

The youngster is rated highly at Inter and has impressed this season under coach Roberto Mancini.

But Liverpool hope to tempt Inter to cash in on the midfielder in the coming weeks.