Liverpool are hopeful of signing a new central midfielder this summer but Germany international Florian Neuhaus is not a priority target.
The Reds have been monitoring the 24-year-old - who has starred in the Bundesliga for Borussia Monchengladbach - but their interest is not as notable as has been reported.
The attack-minded midfielder is currently with the Germany squad - for whom he has scored two goals in six international appearances - for Euro 2020.
It had been reported previously that Jurgen Klopp was waiting for the end of that tournament before making a final judgement on whether they should move to sign the player.
Neuhaus has been strongly linked with a move to Anfield and there have been suggestions that he is the club’s number one midfield choice, but the Liverpool Echo reports that is not the case.
The report highlights how the midfielder’s contract contained a £34.25million release clause, but that this expired at the end of last month.
That Liverpool and Klopp were aware of this and decided not to make a move makes clear where they land on the Gladbach midfielder.
The expiration of the clause ensures that Gladbach can now command a fee significantly higher should they wish - which they almost certainly will do.
The Reds will still be monitoring the midfielder throughout the tournament, although he is yet to feature in either of his nation’s two opening games.
Neuhaus was an unused substitute both for the defeat against France and win over Portugal, but he may appear for his nation in Wednesday night’s final group clash against Hungary.
However, if Liverpool had really, really wanted him, then a deal would have already been struck.
Who should Liverpool sign this summer? Comment below
Liverpool are monitoring a number of midfield targets as they seek to replace Georginio Wijnaldum, who has joined Paris Saint-Germain following the expiration of his contract at Anfield.
The Dutch midfielder was a regular in Klopp’s side across the past five seasons but no agreement could be found over a new deal, meaning that he was allowed to join the Parisians for free.
Wijnaldum’s excellent showings for the Netherlands in the group stage of the Euros - in which his nation won all three of their matches - highlighted the loss he is likely to be for Liverpool going forwards.
The emergence of Curtis Jones - who enjoyed spells in the first-team last season - is reason for encouragement and the 20-year-old is expected to feature more prominently next season.
That will not deter the Reds from looking at the transfer market and adding a midfielder to bolster their ranks and add competition ahead of the new campaign.
Liverpool have already completed the signing of France Under-21 international Ibrahima Konate from RB Leipzig in a £36million deal.
The club are not thought to be in the market for any further defenders meaning that the centre of the pitch has become the priority, with a new arrival expected to join in the coming months to fill the void left by Wijnaldum.
