Liverpool are in the process of completing a transfer for Ibrahima Konate, according to reports.
The Reds are keen to bolster their defence ahead of the new season and are said to be at an advanced stage in negotiations with RB Leipzig.
Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool were very keen on signing the centre-back in the January transfer window with Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip all out of action.
But the Reds were priced out of a deal and in the end brought in Ozan Kabak on loan from Schalke and Ben Davies from Preston for a combined £2.6million.
According to The Athletic, Liverpool are expected to pay the 21-year-old defender's release clause, which is thought to be around £34million.
If the Reds activate the clause then they do not need to hold talks with Leipzig.
Klopp attempted to sign either Dayot Upamecano or Konate in January but was left frustrated by the German side's valuations.
"You know the situation with centre-halves out there," said Klopp, after conceding defeat in trying to sign the RB Leipzig duo.
"You know the clubs where the centre-halves are playing, because everyone is talking about them. Tell me if one of these clubs needs the money and needs to sell a player?
"And if they need money then they want crazy money.
"I am not sure there is an £80million centre-back available at the moment and a club thinks 'We can get £80m for him so we will sell him.'
"The teams would not sell this calibre of player now."
Since Klopp's comments, French defender Upamecano has joined Bayern Munich and his compatriot Konate looks all but certain to sign for the Reds.
