Mateo Kovacic to Liverpool: Reds target 'signs' for Real Madrid - reports
Reds continue efforts to strengthen their squad ahead of the closure of the summer transfer window
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Liverpool seem to have missed out on Inter Milan starlet Mateo Kovacic after reports suggested he signed for Real Madrid.
According to Gazetta dello Sport, Brendan Rodgers had failed with a £17.7m offer for the 21-year-old in recent months.
The Reds' interest seemed to have cooled in the weeks following the £29m capture of Firmino from German club Hoffenheim, but Rodgers is prepared to roll the dice one final time before the window closes at the end of the month.
Reports suggested AC Milan, Inter's city rivals, posed the greatest threat to the deal being concluded but Serie A politics means Liverpool thought they were in the driving seat.
Meanwhile, Rodgers expects some of his fringe players to leave before the start of September, having told everyone in his squad where they stand this season.
Jose Enrique, Fabio Borini and Mario Balotelli had been 'alienated' by the former Reading and Swansea having been made to train separately from the main squad.
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