Turkish giants Galatasaray have opened talks with Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva over possible transfer
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has reportedly opened talks with Turkish giants Galatasaray over a £2.5 million transfer for the Liverpool midfielder.
There has been frequent talk of the Brazilian's departure from Anfield in the last couple of years as his role in the side has become less regular - and Turkish fansite claims Leiva has been made a priority target by the Istanbul club.
Last season when the Reds played at Arsenal, he was substituted and seemed to wave goodbye to the away end suggesting a departure - only for him to still be at the club.
And he has played a big part in boss 's pre-season plans so far before he limped off in the 2-0 win over Huddersfield on Wednesday with a hamstring problem - but still travelled on Liverpool's tour of the US.
Klopp has been reshaping his squad for much of the summer and there has been no word on whether he wants to extend Lucas's contract, which has only a year left to run.
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But given the 29-year-old's active role so far this summer, it appears that if he leaves it will be on his own terms rather than being pushed out of the door.
He is Liverpool's longest serving player having joined in 2007 from Gremio, and is among a strong Brazilian contingent, with his value off the pitch also to be taken into account despite a lengthy injury record.
But Klopp is visibly trying to trim down his squad ahead of the new season, having accepted a £13m bid from Stoke for Joe Allen and lost Martin Skrtel to Galatasaray's rivals Fenerbahce.
Lucas, who has made over 300 times for Liverpool, was close to sealing a move to join Galatasaray’s title rivals Besiktas last summer, but Brendan Rodgers quashed the deal after his impressive upturn in form.
And it has also been rumoured that he could be a makeweight in a deal to bring Newcastle playmaker Georginio Wijnaldum to Anfield with Toon boss keen on being reunited with Levia - but it appears Galatasaray are in pole position.