A statement from the club added: “Liverpool concluded their discussions with Roma once the sale of Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid was finally agreed.”

Aquilani’s consistently impressive performances at Roma have seen him become a regular in Marcello Lippi’s Italian national team.

He made his debut for the Azzurri in November 2006 and appeared for his country in last year’s European Championships in Switzerland and Austria.

Aquilani scored the first goals for his country last October when he netted twice in the 2-1 World Cup qualifying match win against Montenegro.

The midfielder has netted 15 goals in 147 appearances for Roma since making his debut for the Serie A side as an 18-year-old in May 2003.

He also scored four times in 41 games on a season-long loan at Serie B side Triesta during the 2003-04 campaign.

Such was his promise as a youngster, Aquilani was pursued by both Chelsea and Arsenal but instead opted to sign professional terms with his boyhood team Roma.

Aquilani actually only signed a new four-year deal with Roma in May but is now poised to become only the second Italian international to play for Liverpool.