Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is set to line up other defensive targets, as he has reached a dead end with Tiago Ilori.

The Reds have been on Ilori's trail for a while, and it is thought they were close to securing a deal after lodging a £3m bid for the Sporting Lisbon player.

With Sporting believed to be facing financial difficulty, selling Ilori could help to free up some funds.

However, a move appears to be in jeopardy due to a dispute between club and Ilori's agent.

Reports ascertain that Ilori's agent also represents Bruma, who has also refused to commit to a new deal.

And with Sporting refusing to negotiate over a fee for Ilori, Rodgers, who has already landed Kolo Toure on a free transfer, may have to look elsewhere.

Ilori made 12 appearances in all competitionsfor Sporting Lisbon last season.

The Reds have been active in the transfer window, having purchased Iago Aspas and Simon Mignolet, but a deal for Shakhtar Donetsk playmaker Henrikh Mkhitaryan is shrouded in doubt.

Source: Express.co.uk