Liverpool have sounded out Porto star Fernando over a move to Anfield, reports Portuguese newspaper A Bola.

Brendan Rodgers has just four senior central midfielders - Steven Gerrard, Lucas Leiva, Joe Allen and Jordan Henderson - competing for three spots in his starting line-up and he wants to bolster this part of his squad to aid the Reds bid to secure a top-four finish.

And A Bola claim Liverpool have contacted Fernando's agent to discuss a future switch. The midfielder will be free to talk to other clubs in January as his contract expires in June.

Everton came close to signing him during the summer, while a host of European sides, including Juventus, Napoli, Inter and Fiorentina, are also on his trail.

But it is believed Liverpool are willing to offer him a higher salary than any of the Serie A sides, while his representative Antonio Araujo admits "anything can happen" in the future.

Araujo recently told TMW: "There is demand from one big Italian club, but we're talking about the future and anything can happen."

Source: talkSPORT