Timo Werner's proposed move to Liverpool looks to have taken a step closer following reports the striker has held a virtual meeting with Jurgen Klopp during lockdown.
The Red Bull Leipzig star looks likely to move on this summer if his £52million release clause is met by a big-name club.
Liverpool remain favourites to land his signature, and The Reds will be buoyed by the German's latest performance for his club.
Werner netted an impressive hat-trick for Leipzig in their thumping 5-0 win over Mainz on Sunday, and The Athletic's German football correspondent Raphael Honigstein believes there is now a "very strong chance" he'll complete a switch to Anfield.
As per the Evening Standard, Honigstein said: "I think it depends on what Liverpool want to do because Werner's been on the record saying he wants to go there and he is available because of a release clause which at the worst would cost about £55m.
"So far Liverpool have been linked closely and there has been a meeting between him and Jurgen Klopp, at least a virtual one over the last few weeks.
"I think they're a bit hesitant to pull the trigger because they haven't quite figured out how much of a financial problem the coronavirus will present itself to football, coming over the next month in the Premier League.
"I think he's waiting for things to fall into shape and it could be that the transfer window is much later than usual."
He added: "This kind of deal would have been announced in April/May, this time it could be August or September, but I still think there's a very strong chance he'll end up at Liverpool."
Werner is certainly doing all he can to heighten Liverpool's interest with his stunning treble against Mainz.
The 24-year-old took just 11 minutes to get his name on the scoresheet, before teammates Yussuf Poulsen and Marcel Sabitzer added further goals before half-time.
Just three minutes after the half-time break Werner grabbed his second, before completing his hat-trick with quarter of an hour remaining.
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