Liverpool have made contact with Bayern Munich over midfielder Thiago Alcantara.
The Reds have been linked with the Spain international for much of the past three months but finally opened discussions this week over a £27million deal.
Thiago is inside the last year of his contract with the Bundesliga champions and Bayern have been keen to offload him after being told the 29-year-old would not be signing a new deal at the Allianz.
Bayern had been expecting a move from the Reds since they won the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain on August 23.
Liverpool, however, refused to move before negotiations finally got underway at the start of the week.
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The ECHO understands that the deal is not at an advanced stage but discussions have taken place between the two clubs after months of rife speculation.
It is believed Thiago is keen to move to Merseyside but terms have not yet been finalised, despite reports of a four-year deal being agreed earlier this year.
It is understood the former Barcelona midfielder's arrival is not dependent on another leaving Anfield this summer as the speculation over the future of Gini Wijnaldum continues to rumble on.
The Dutchman, like Thiago, is inside the final year of his deal, but will not have to be sold to finance the deal that brings the Bayern star to Anfield.
The move for Thiago represents a significant shift in thinking from club owners Fenway Sports Group who have always sought to bring younger talent to Merseyside to develop them into elite-level stars.
Hear more from Paul Gorst on the Thiago deal in our breaking news podcast HERE
At 29, the two-time Champions League winner will walk into Anfield as one of the most complete midfielders in European football and will add a huge injection of quality to a midfield that is packed full of competition.
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