Liverpool are reportedly interested in 19-year-old Bayern Munich and Germany prodigy Jamal Musiala.
The attacking midfielder established himself at Bayern during the second half of last season and has started six out of eight Bundesliga games for Julian Naglesmann's side this term.
Musiala – who can also operate from the left wing – has already won 17 caps for Germany and started last month's 3-3 Nations League draw with England at Wembley.
Sky Sport journalist Florian Plettenberg confirmed on Tuesday that Musiala is on Liverpool's radar – but added that the former Chelsea and Southampton youngster is happy at Bayern.
Musiala was born in Stuttgart, Germany but grew up in England, spending four months in the Saints' youth system before being picked up by the Blues. He played for England up to U21 level but announced last year that he'd chosen to represent Germany in senior international football.
A move for Musiala would be an audacious one and it's very hard to see the Reds (or any other club, for that matter) pulling it off. And unsurprisingly, Bayern have insisted that their prodigious talent is not for sale. Speaking last month, sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic said:
"We need a guy like [Musiala]. If I were to think about giving this boy away somehow, I'd be crazy. He will play for Bayern for a long time."
While Bayern have made a stuttering start to their 11th consecutive Bundesliga title defence, Musiala has been in excellent nick, scoring five goals (the third-most in the league) and providing three assists.
News of Liverpool's interest comes as Football Insider report that the Reds have allocated significant funds for a major January signing.
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Meanwhile, the Reds are said to have made Inter Milan and Croatia midfielder Marcelo Brozovic a top target. That follows talk that Roberto Firmino could be offered to Borussia Dortmund in a sensational January swap deal for Jude Bellingham.
Elsewhere, former Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez could be on his way back to the Premier League: the Spaniard has been touted to potentially replace Steve Cooper at Nottingham Forest.
