By Wayne Veysey

Klopp phones Euro 2016 star in bid to lure him to Liverpool - report

By London correspondent Tony Hughes

Jurgen Klopp has spoken to Poland midfielder Piotr Zielinski in a bid to lure him to Liverpool, according to a report.

Reliable Italian transfer website Di Marzio claims the Merseysiders have tabled a £9.5million bid for the Udinese playmaker.

The Serie A club are holding out for £12million for the 22-year-old, who is part of the Poland squad competing at Euro 2016.

Liverpool are closing in on the player, who is reportedly keen to move to Anfield despite competing interest from Italian big-hitters Napoli.

It is said Liverpool manager Klopp has used the personal touch with Zielinski in an attempt to reassure him he will have a key role on Merseyside.

Klopp used a similar tactic to help persuade Marko Grujic to join Liverpool from Red Star Belgrade and the player has subsequently been followed to Anfield by fellow new signings Loris Karius and Joel Matop.

Zielinski was the the star for Empoli during a season-long loan in 2015-16, scoring five goals and adding six assists in 35 Serie A appearances for the club.

His parent club Udinese are reported to be willing to cash in on the young midfielder.

Zielinksi has expressed in the past a liking for Liverpool and thinks he could be an excellent partner for Philippe Coutinho in the heart of the Reds midfield.

In other Liverpool news, the Reds are monitoring the situation of another £21million rated midfielder.