Fiorentina are very close to signing a promising Liverpool midfielder. The Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Red hopeful Joao Carlos Teixeira has been scouted out by Paulo Sousa, who spent a healthy shunk of his career working for Portugal's youth setup before accepting to coach QPR in 2008.

Teixeira was an Under-16 national in 2008, and has represented his country at every youth level. 

A product of Sporting Lisbon's academy, Teixeira moved to Anfield for just over €1 million, immediately impressing his academy coaches for his read on the game, and the accuracy of his passing. The 23-year-old made his Premier League debut in 2014, before going to Brighton the following season... only to break a bone in his leg in April 2015, in a game against Huddersfield. He'd managed 35 games, and 6 goals before then.