Sissoko close to Juve move

Liverpool midfielder Mohamed Sissoko has revealed he is “very close” to joining Juventus.

The 22-year-old moved to Liverpool in the summer of 2005 from Valencia and is under contract with the Merseyside club until June 2011.

But he has struggled to hold down a starting place in Rafael Benitez’s team, making just nine Barclays Premier League appearances this season.

“I’m still a Liverpool player,” Sissoko told Radio Montecarlo. “But I expect a big announcement in the next few days.

“My agent, Juve and Liverpool are working on my departure.

“Everyone is asking me whether I have already signed: I haven’t yet but my move to Juventus is very close.

“I’m expecting the good news any moment now, but I’m enthusiastic about beginning a new adventure in Italy with the Bianconeri.”

Sissoko is expected to arrive on a loan deal, with Juve being given the option to buy him at the end of the season.

The switch would see the Mali international link up with Claudio Ranieri, who he played under during his time in Spain. The Juve boss has already admitted he is keen on the midfielder.