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29th Jun, 2016 | 3:29pm

Liverpool to miss out on 20-goal Serie A attacker as he opts for £24m Spain move - report

By Amir Mir

Jurgen Klopp has been dealt a transfer blow as Atletico Madrid are on the verge of signing Carlos Bacca for £24million, according to a report.

TalkSport, citing Spanish radio station Cadena Ser, claim that the Columbian has opted for a move to Spain after being disappointed with the Italian giants AC Milan’s seventh place finish in the recently concluded Serie A season.

It is said that Diego Simeone is set to splash out £24million on the highly-rated striker with talks between both parties already under way with a view for a deal to be completed by the end of the week.

Bacca, who has three years remaining on his Milan contract, signed for the Italian based club last summer for a fee of £21million from Spanish side Sevilla.

The 29-year-old ended the 2015-16 season with 20 goals in all competitions, but is now set for a move back to Spain, which would be a huge blow for the Anfield club.

Liverpool endured a difficult season in 2015-16 with then-record signing Christian Benteke notching up only nine goals and Daniel Sturridge unable to overcame his constant injury problems.

This alerted Klopp to make a move for another striker with Bacca one of his reported interests.

As reported by Football Insider, the Anfield club recently smashed their transfer record by the signing of Sadio Mane from Southampton for a fee believed to be around the region of £30-38.5m.

In other Liverpool news, an Anfield stalwart is in advanced transfer talks as he prepares to leave the club.