Mohamed Sissoko, the Liverpool midfielder, 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 only nine Barclays Premier League appearances this season.

"I'm still a Liverpool player," Sissoko said. "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 Juventus 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, whom he played under at Valencia. The Juventus manager has already said he is keen on signing the midfielder.