​Inter Milan centre back Andrea Ranocchia has agreed a move to Liverpool according to reports, with the clubs now needing to agree a fee.

The 27-year-old has been frozen out at the San Siro by Roberto Mancini, despite being captain last year, and has been told he can find a new club as soon as possible by the former Manchester City boss.





Liverpool's Premier League rivals Norwich City had lined up an audacious move for the Italy international, but it was believed that the player had no interest in joining a team of Norwich's stature.





However, according to TuttoMercato as reported by ​SportWitness, Liverpool - who are in desperate need of some defensive reinforcements - have jumped in for the defender and Anfield officials are spending the next two to three days to try and agree a fee.

According to the report, the 6ft 5 defender has already agreed terms with the Merseyside club so it is now purely a case of the two clubs thrashing out a fee for Ranocchia, who has represented his country 20 times.





With Martin Skrtel, Mamadou Sakho, Joe Gomez, Jon Flanagan and Dejan Lovren all injured, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has a huge defensive crisis on his hands and will be hoping a deal for the experienced Italian defender can be finalised very soon.





Another bonus for Liverpool is that because Inter Milan are not in the Europa League this season, when the registration window opens again Ranocchia can be included in the 25 man list.

Liverpool are currently eighth in the Premier League, just three points behind fifth placed Manchester United and six behind fourth placed Tottenham Hotspur as they seek European football for next season.





The Reds also have one foot in a Wembley final after defeating Stoke City 1-0 in the Capital One Cup semi-final first leg away from home, clinching the all important away goal in the process.



