Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp defies club chief with £14m swoop for Everton target

Riccardo Saponara has scored four goals for Empoli this season

LIVERPOOL will defy Empoli's sporting director by signing star midfielder Riccardo Saponara six months ahead of schedule, according to reports.

 

Reds manager Jurgen Klopp is understood to be keen on landing 23-year-old Saponara this winter.

That is despite Marcello Carli insisting last month that the Italian would be going nowhere until summer 2016.

"No-one will move in January," Carli told Calciomercato defiantly. "We’ll keep all our players. Then in June we’ll evaluate any offers that come in, in line with club policy.

"We’re used to rumours about our players, it means we’re doing well. Saponara in particular is an important player for us, and his absence [through suspension] is weighing heavily.

"You have to see the positives in every situation though, and without Riccardo some interesting young players have had the chance to prove their quality."

 

Italian newspaper Tuttosport claim a £14million bid is in place to bring Saponara to the Premier League.

Everton are also supposed suitors of the ace, who boasts four goals in eight Serie A appearances this season.

Tuttosport claim Liverpool are determined to push through the deal in order to beat off Juventus, who will make their advances next summer.