Galatasaray reportedly interested in approach for Lucas Leiva

The Turkish giants are interested in the midfielder's services, according to recent reports - which suggest he's surplus to requirements at Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool this summer.

Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva is reportedly a transfer target for Turkish giants Galatasaray, according to recent reports in both Sky Sports and the Express.

Lucas' injuries forced him down pecking order

The 29-year-old Brazilian, who has been with the Reds since July of 2007, has found himself down in the midfield pecking order due to a number of troublesome injuries over the past few Premier Leagueseasons. Jürgen Klopp, who has already made a number of summer acquisitions including Southampton's Sadio Mané for £35m, andNewcastle creative midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum for £20m, has sold a number of notable first-team squad players to balance the books too.

Jordon Ibe (Bournemouth), Joe Allen (Stoke City), Jordan Rossiter(Rangers) and Joáo Teixeira (Porto) have all left for pastures new in the search for regular senior minutes.

Ability isn't the question, remaining 100% fit is

Stats-wise, Lucas has established himself as one of the league's best players when it comes to tackles per game in comparison to many club rivals. It's been almost a reoccuring theme over the past few seasons for Lucas to be linked with a move away from Anfield on a permanent deal considering his age and tendency to suffer from troublesome injuries.

Lucas has been injured all too often with the Reds, where his development over the years - despite his quality - has been halted. | Photo: Getty

Just last year, he was linked with a move to Besiktas - whilst scans have already shown he'll miss the first few fixtures of the new campaign after suffering a hamstring injury in their pre-season victory over Huddersfield Town earlier in July.

That meant fears over his future with the Reds began to reappear once more as the newer crop of players aim to take their opportunity with both hands - especially considering Liverpool's faltering form in seasons gone by, where they've been unable to fuflil their potential despite undoubted quality in their squad ranks.

It seems increasingly likely that the move itself will be finalised in the coming weeks, especially considering Lucas' main desire is to play regular first-team football and there'd be no point sitting on the substitutes' bench when he can find regular minutes elsewhere across Europe.

MOSOPE OMINIYI