Juventus president Giovanni Cobolli Gigli is cautiously optimistic of reaching an agreement with Liverpool to sign Xabi Alonso.

The Basque-born midfielder was one of Rafael Benitez's first signings when he took over at Anfield four years ago, arriving for £10.5million from Real Sociedad.

But Alonso, 26, has found his first-team opportunities limited with the arrival of Javier Mascherano and with young Brazilian midfielder Lucas also making an impact.