Liverpool are in talks to sign RB Leipzig defender Ibrahima Konate this summer.
Jurgen Klopp is keen to add to his defensive options having seen his centre-back department decimated by injuries.
After Virgil van Dijk suffered anterior cruciate ligament damage in October's 2-2 draw with Everton, Joe Gomez was also forced to undergo knee surgery after pulling up on England duty in November.
Joel Matip's ongoing inability to prove his own long-term fitness saw him make just 10 Premier League appearances before his campaign was curtailed in January.
As a result, the Reds were made to delve into the transfer market at the start of the year as they brought in Ben Davies from Championship side Preston North End alongside Ozan Kabak, who joined on loan from Schalke.
Both players succumbed to their own injuries in the closing stages of the season, however, meaning Klopp was made to name the inexperienced duo of Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams at the back for the final five matches.
Liverpool drew up a five-man shortlist earlier this year in their efforts to bolster the centre-back ranks in the transfer window.
And the ECHO understands that Konate is the Reds' primary target as they seek to conclude a deal that could be worth around £40million.
The France Under-21 international has a buyout clause in his contract at Leipzig and Liverpool are making efforts to trigger that fee and bring him to Anfield when the window opens.
Konate is currently on international duty for France's Under-21 side with their European Championship quarter-final clash with Holland set for Monday evening.
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It is unlikely that Liverpool will complete a deal while Konate is with Les Blues' U21 side in Hungary.
Brighton defender Ben White was scouted extensively last year while the club looked to bring in Marseille's Duje Caleta-Car towards the end of January before signing Kabak from Schalke.
It is Konate, however, who tops the Reds' shortlist and the club's recruitment team have moved early to try and seal a deal.
Discussions are not yet at an advanced stage but Liverpool are eager to bring the Paris-born defender to Anfield for next season.
The Reds have a good relationship with Leipzig which dates back to their negotiations for Naby Keita in 2017 and with a buyout clause in existence, it is unlikely that too much resistance will be forthcoming from the Bundesliga club.
An ankle injury picked up in December meant Konate was an unused substitute for both legs of the Champions League last-16 tie between the sides in March.
Konate featured 21 times in total for the Bundesliga runners-up but only started eight games for Leipzig.
His departure from the Red Bull Arena would represent a significant blow for Leipzig as they get set to lose another key defender when Dayot Upamecano joins Bayern Munich later this year.
It means Kabak's loan switch from Schalke is unlikely to be made into a permanent one later this year with Liverpool having the option to trigger that at £18m.
Kabak missed the last five games through injury and made 13 appearances in total for the Reds.
