Barcelona have launched an improved offer for Real Betis defender Junior Firpo.
Firpo, 22, has been linked with Liverpool and Manchester United this summer after an impressive campaign last term.
He also featured for Spain at the Under-21s European Championships with a host of clubs keeping tabs on him.
Barca are leading the chase and had an £18m offer rejected by Betis, with the La Liga side holding out for around £27m for the defender.
The Spanish champions have reportedly returned with a new offer, worth around £24m.
Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde wants to bring in some competition for Jordi Alba, with the view to replacing the left-back long-term.
Filipe Luis had been a short-term option for Barca following his departure from Atletico Madrid but he has returned to Brazil with Flamengo.
SPORT reports Barca have also considered David Alaba, Ricardo Rodriguez and Raphael Guerreiro, but Firpo remains the preferred option.
And the Nou Camp giants now hope Betis will come to the table and negotiate a deal for the young defender.
Betis accept they may have to let the defender go alongside midfielder Giovani Lo Celso.
Tottenham remain interested in the Argentine midfielder but are reluctant to meet his £88m release clause.
Betis were willing to accept an offer of at least £68m having replaced the midfielder with former Liverpool target Nabil Fekir.
But it is understood a compromise is close to being reached which will see Lo Celso join Spurs for a fee between £54m and £60m.
