Liverpool are eyeing Sampdoria midfielder Reto Ziegler.

The Daily Mail says Ziegler, a former Tottenham player, has been earmarked to fill Rafa Benitez's problem left-back position, according to reports in Italy, but the Reds face strong competition.

New Juventus boss Luigi Del Neri, who has just left Sampdoria for Turin, is keen to take Ziegler with him, but Atletico Madrid and Fiorentina are also said to have made contact with the player's agent.

Liverpool, with limited funds, could be priced out of the move, with Sampdoria thought to value him at about £8.5million.