Hertha Berlin's sporting director says he is keeping a close eye on the "decision" Liverpool take over Marko Grujic this summer.
The Serbian midfielder was the first signing made under Jurgen Klopp in January 2016.
He has spent the last two terms out on loan in the German capital.
It is believed Liverpool are not seeking another temporary switch for Grujic and are now only open to permanent offers.
The ECHO understands the Reds would demand a fee in excess of £20m - otherwise Klopp will happily keep the 24-year-old at Anfield ahead of a congested campaign.
Speaking to the media last week, Hertha chief Michael Preetz indicated he is monitoring the situation and awaiting the next development.
Preetz told Kicker: "[Grujic] is a Liverpool player who spent two years on loan with us. He has been in training with Liverpool for a few days [during pre-season].
"Unlike last year, it was Liverpool's declared wish that Marko should take part in much of the preparation there.
"Then there will certainly be a decision in England about Marko's immediate future: Will he be loaned out again? Is he for sale? Will he be part of the Liverpool team?
"That cannot be foreseen at the moment."
Addressing potential deals in a wider sense, Preetz added: "It is an incredibly complicated summer of transfers in several respects.
"We are close to the market and monitor developments. We are preparing, have ideas and are looking to implement them in the next few weeks.
"I expect that towards the end of the transfer window there will be some transfers that would not have been possible before. Options will come out that today are not yet options. We keep our eyes open everywhere."
Grujic has enjoyed a successful spell in the Bundesliga, scoring nine goals in 51 appearances.
Back in June, Preetz said the Serbia international is a player his club will "always think about".
He explained: "Of course, we are in talks with Liverpool. Last summer, a door opened. Jurgen Klopp signalled to me that they were ready to loan Marko for another year.
"Now they want him back and he should complete the [pre-season] preparation there. I cannot say today what will happen.
"But Marko is a player we will always think about here at Hertha."
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