Blow for Liverpool as bargain midfield target agrees Serie A switch

Liverpool have been dealt a blow as one of their midfield targets is set to undertake a medical at Serie A club Sampdoria.

RB Salzburg midfielder Valon Berisha scored 13 times last season, helping his side win the Austrian Bundesliga.

Liverpool were reportedly interested in taking the 25-year-old to Anfield, as they continue to add to their midfield, but are set to lose out as Berisha nears a move to Italy.

Sky Italia claim that Berisha will complete a medical at Sampdoria on Thursday, having also been linked with Lazio.

The midfielder is expected to move to Sampdoria for €7m plus bonuses.

Berisha represents Kosovo internationally, despite being born in Sweden and playing for Norway until 2016.

He was scouted by Liverpool during Salzburg’s impressive run to the semi-finals of last season’s Europa League, where they lost to beaten finalists Marseille 3-2 on aggregate.

Berisha is a former teammate of current Liverpool players Sadio Mane and Naby Keita, but it now seems he won’t be teaming up with them again at Anfield, as the switch to Sampdoria moves one step closer.

Sampdoria will be looking for new midfielders in the likely event of Lucas Torreira leaving, with Arsenal expected to complete the signing of the 22-year-old Uruguayan.

Want news and features on the Reds on your Facebook timeline? Like our dedicated Liverpool page.