Liverpool are reportedly remaining interested in Southampton’s Romeo Lavia amid numerous links with other midfielders in recent weeks.
The Reds have been closely linked with the Belgian all summer as Jurgen Klopp plans a summer revamp of his mid-park options, but relations have cooled somewhat now that other potential targets have emerged.
Cheick Doucoure is the latest name touted as a defensive midfield option.
The Daily Mail also listed Kalvin Phillips, Ryan Gravenberch and Sofyan Amrabat as eligible players earlier in the week.
Liverpool have already lost three senior midfielders on free transfers, and the departures of Fabinho and Jordan Henderson to Saudi Arabia are also imminent.
Fabrizio Romano has indicated that the Reds are still working on a possible move for Lavia this summer, insisting that “contacts are underway” with the necessary parties.
Romano said that while Lavia is not “the only target”, Liverpool are looking to make progress towards a potential deal and “hopefully” lower their £50m asking price.
Reports earlier this month suggested there had been “substantial” talks about a possible deal to bring the 19-year-old to Anfield, but there appears to have been little movement on that front since.
The links between Liverpool and Lavia started long before the news broke that both Fabinho and Henderson were destined for the Middle East.
Trent Alexander-Arnold played in defensive midfield in the Reds’ pre-season opener against Karlsruher on Wednesday night, but the manager has few options if he is to maintain the 3-4-3 formation seen towards the end of the season.
Lavia’s stories might seem slowed down from the outside looking in, but the latest reports indicate the club are still keen to pursue the teenager this transfer window.