Liverpool are one of a number of Premier League sides interested in signing Mainz 05 star Jean-Philippe Gbamin according to the player's agent.
Equally at home in centre-midfield or at centre-back, the versatile Ivory Coast international started all but three of the German side's Bundesliga matches last season.
And his agent, Bernard Collignon, has claimed Reds boss Jurgen Klopp has a long-held interest in the player, having even called Mainz directly to try and negotiate a deal back in January 2018.
"In January 2018 Klopp called Mainz and wanted to commit him as a centre-back, who also helps out in midfield," Collignon told Fussball Transfers .
"But Mainz did not want to let him go in the middle of the relegation battle.
"In the summer, Liverpool signed Fabinho ."
With Dejan Lovren 's long-term future at the club unclear, Liverpool could again be in the market for a centre-back this summer.
And Collignon has talked up the possibility of the 23-year-old, who is contracted until 2023, moving to an elite club.
"I had meetings with Liverpool, Tottenham, Arsenal, Everton and many other clubs," he said. "He is in the shortlist. However, not as a top candidate, because its exact position is unclear.
"In my opinion he is a player worth 60 million euros. It's time for him to play as a centre-back.
"There he would be a top player in all four major leagues and would make a great career."
