By Andy Brassell
Simon Kjaer is set to leave Palermo - with the Premier League his preferred destination, Goal.com UK can reveal.
The 21-year-old defender has attracted the interests of Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United, but is waiting for a firm offer from "the right club" before making a decision on his future.
Speaking exclusively to Goal.com UK, Kjaer's agent Mikkel Beck admitted his client is ready to move his already impressive career on to the next level.
Simon Kjaer | Snapshot
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Despite interest from Juventus and Barcelona, Beck said he had recommended Premier League football to Kjaer.
"I try to give him the best advice I can, and I'm fortunate to have had the experience of playing in a country like England," said the agent, who performed with distinction for Middlesbrough during a four-year spell in England in the 1990s.
"It's important we, together with Simon's family, come to the right decision so he can continue to develop."
Palermo director Walter Sabatini said this week that Kjaer's contract contains a £10 million [€12m] release clause, and Beck admitted time is running out if Europe's big fish want to net themselves a relative bargain.
"We have a clause that allows him to get out that goes on until - more or less - tomorrow night [Wednesday]," Beck said, emphasising that the expiry of said clause would not prohibit a move after the World Cup.
"We'll see, but if nothing happens, he has a very interesting and important World Cup ahead of him, and we'll have to see what happens afterwards."
Beck, who expects Denmark to surprise a few at the tournament, said that the team which does convince his client to ink a deal would be bagging a mature talent rather than one for the future.
"He's a quality defender, young but with the head of an older, experienced player," he stated. "He's very mature for his age, and he takes responsibility in a very good Palermo side."
The agent also said Kjaer would take the World Cup, as well as any subsequent step up at club level, in his not-inconsiderable stride. "It's his first big tournament, but these kind of things drive players like him. He's someone who knows how to raise his game," enthused Beck.
"The bigger the game is, the better he is. He is consistent, but I think this is something that shows he has the qualities to be a big player."
Kjaer is, however, not keen to force a move whatever the cost, and Beck said his man will only leave Serie A for a European giant that matches his ambitions. "He's ready to leave if the right club comes in," said Beck.
"He has dreams to play in a big team, but he could also stay at Palermo for a year, certainly. It's not the worst case scenario playing in one of top teams in Italy and being one of the most important players."
Kjaer, who grew up supporting Liverpool, has formed a solid partnership for Denmark alongside Anfield star Daniel Agger.
But it is understood that his affinity for the Reds would not hold him back from joinig another Premier League club.
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