Liverpool plan swap deal for Mateo Kovacic

Liverpool will look to offer Lucas Leiva as makeweight in a deal to sign Inter Milan midfielder Mateo Kovacic this summer.

The 20-year-old has struggled to cement his place in the first-team at the Nerazzurri this season, and in spite of just signing a new five-year contract, manager Roberto Mancini is open to the player's departure this summer.

According to The Star, Reds boss Brendan Rodgers is a huge admirer of the Croatian midfielder, and is ready to make a swap raid that includes Lucas Leiva moving the other way.

Kovacic joined the Milan giants from Dinamo Zagreb in 2013.