Liverpool will reportedly revive their interest in Monaco midfielder Thomas Lemar in January, and are said to be preparing a €90 million offer.
The Reds spent the closing stages of the summer transfer window pursuing the France international, lodging a bid worth over £70 million.
Monaco fended off interest from both Liverpool and Arsenal, but vice-president Vadim Vasilyev revealed the 22-year-old would “have a fair chance of an exit next year.”
Vasilyev went on to add that he would “never say never” regarding a January move for Lemar, and according to French newspaper L’Equipe, this could be on the cards.
They claim that Liverpool are willing to pay €90 million (£79.46 million) for the youngster, who is seemingly earmarked as a long-term replacement for Philippe Coutinho.
Coutinho will likely find himself the subject of a new bid from Barcelona in January, though it is unlikely he will be allowed to leave Merseyside.
Liverpool are not the only club interested in Lemar, with a €100 million (£88.29 million) bid from Arsenal mooted, along with overtures from Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Barcelona themselves.
The prospect of the Reds going big in the winter window is an encouraging one, as the club look to build on a strong start to the season in both the Premier League and the Champions League.
The same cannot be said of Monaco, who currently sit third in the Ligue 1 table, nine points behind league leaders Paris Saint-Germain, having won the title by an eight-point margin last term.
Leonardo Jardim’s side also finished bottom of their Champions League group, taking just two points from six games against RB Leipzig, Besiktas and FC Porto.
Liverpool were drawn against Porto in the last 16 of Europe’s top-tier tournament on Monday, but if they were successful in a move for Lemar in January, the midfielder would be cup-tied.
It is difficult to see where Lemar would fit into Klopp’s immediate plans, with Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane in fine form on the flanks and Coutinho a mainstay in the playmaking role.
Roberto Firmino is Klopp’s undisputed first choice as No. 9, while Dominic Solanke and Daniel Sturridge provide able backup.
The signing of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on deadline day has given Klopp considerably more options both in midfield and attack, while Adam Lallana is poised to return from injury.
Nevertheless, Klopp has experienced the benefits of a vast array of options this season, particularly during this busy winter run.
And with Coutinho expected to leave Anfield at some stage in the future, the German could do worse than planning ahead by bolstering his squad with the addition of Lemar next month.
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