“Roma have allowed us to talk with him, so that’s good and positive. He is a player with the quality we are looking for,” the Liverpool boss told the club’s official website.
“He can play a little bit higher than Javier Mascherano – maybe between him and Steven Gerrard.
“He has good passing – the final ball is good – and he also works. If he can settle down properly in England he can be a very good addition.
“I think the signing should excite the fans. He won the U19 European Championship with his country, and U21 too. He has some trophies – including the Italian Cup.
“I always remember one game – England versus Italy U21s at Wembley, and he was man of the match in a 3-0 win.”
