Liverpool are keen to sign Brazilian midfielder Thiago Maia and have registered their proposal with his current club Santos, according to Daily Express.

The 19-year old has been on the radar of Premier League clubs for a while now as he is growing constantly as a player and has impressed with his performances in Brazilian Serie A.

Maia has also played a crucial role in Brazil’s gold winning campaign in Rio Olympics and has become an influential figure at Santos with his commanding performances on the field as he is expected to be the next big talent to join a European club.

ESPN Brasil has earlier reported that a host of clubs across Europe are keen to sign him alongside Liverpool as the likes of Monaco, Schalke, Napoli and Zenit St Petersburg are all keen to land the midfielder.

However, only Russian giants Zenit St Petersburg have so far made an official bid to sign the midfielder as they resilience of Santos with a £15m offer which the Brazilian club rejected. With Brazilian season finished this month, the player is expected to make a move to Europe in January as Santos are ready to sell him if they receive a good offer.

Despite all the speculations surrounding his future, Maia was cool to confirm that it is up to his club and representatives to decide his transfer and has not ruled out staying at the club either.

He said: ”I’m on vacation, it’s been a lot of work, but a very important year in my career, I was an Olympic champion and, in Santos, we had a regular season, the Sao Paulo title and the Brazilian runner-up.

“The Saints and my representatives decide if it’s time for a transfer.

“If it’s to stay, the supporters can rest easy, I want to repeat the good season, play Libertadores and be a champion.”