Liverpool are preparing to step up the chase for Italian international midfielder Gaetano D’Agostino whose expected move to Juventus collapsed recently. The Reds will face competition from Serie A side Fiorentina who are also tracking the talented star.

The stumbling block to any transfer would be Udinese’s stance that their star man won’t be sold on the cheap. The club president Giampolo Pozzo, told Tuttosport, “We wouldn’t sell D’Agostino even for €20 million. Those who began pre-season will not be sold”. However reports persist that the player will be leaving the club with Rafa Benitez a keen admirer.

D’Agostino enjoyed a superb 2008/09 campaign where he scored an impressive 11 goals in 36 league games (34 starts). This was by far his best tally in a season having failed to score a league goal in his previous two seasons at Udinese. This resulted in his first senior Italian appearance in a 3-0 home friendly win v Northern Ireland back in June.

The 27-year-old was born in Palermo and began his career at Roma before a two-season spell at Bari where he made 63 league appearances and scored twice. He returned to Roma for the 2003/04 season but struggled to break into the first team making 23 league appearances in total for the club but only starting 9 times. He moved on to Messina where her played 42 league games and scored 5 goals. Udinese bought the player in 2006 where he has enjoyed the best period of his career making 94 league appearances and scoring 11 goals (all last season).

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The Italian is a central midfield playmaker but can also play in a more advanced role. He is renowned for his offensive outlook, passing and set-piece ability. Whether Liverpool will be able to wrestle the talented Italian away from Serie A is in question but a lot may depend on whether Xabi Alonso remains at Anfield.

Do you like the look of Gaetano D’Agostino? Would he be a worthy replacement if Alonso was to leave? Let’s hear your views.