Liverpool are looking into a deal for RB Leipzig's Dominik Szoboszlai as they continue assessing options for their midfield rebuild.
Hungary captain Szoboszlai has emerged as one of the brightest young talents in the Bundesliga having joined Leipzig from Red Bull Salzburg two years ago.
It's understood a meeting has taken place with Szoboszlai's Hungarian-based representatives EM Sports Management as Liverpool continue to explore what is possible this summer, having already signed Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton & Hove Albion earlier this month.
There is conflicting information over the expiry date of a release clause of around £60m, however. Some reports suggest it runs out on June 30, while others have claimed it is mid-July. It's unclear how much the Bundesliga outfit would value Szoboszlai at if the release clause was no longer in place.
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Liverpool have been aware of the midfielder for a number of years after watching him emerge as a teenager before he travelled the well-worn path from Salzburg to Leizpig at the age of 20.
Salzburg would reportedly be in line to receive as much as 20% of any sell-on fee should Szoboszlai leave Leipzig, which could further complicate matters should there be no release clause.
Liverpool have a strong relationship with Leipzig and the rest of the Red Bull camp, however, and have dealt regularly with the German side in recent years, dating back to Naby Keita's arrival at Anfield in the summer of 2018. Talks between the two clubs initially began in 2017 for the Guinea midfielder.
The Reds also signed Takumi Minamino from Salzburg at the start of 2020 before triggering Ibrahima Konate's £36m release clause from Leizpig in May 2021.
Liverpool have been dealing amicably with Leipzig for a loan deal involving Fabio Carvalho this month, although any official approach for Szoboszlai is not related to the switch for the Reds youngster.
Liverpool's new sporting director Jorg Schmadtke, who signed a short-term deal at the start of the month, has extensive knowledge and experience of the Bundesliga, which could yet be a factor when it comes to negotiating any deal.
Szoboszlai, whose Leipzig contract runs until 2025, is capable of operating in a number of midfield roles and has scored 20 goals in 91 games with his current club.
Speaking to Hungarian publication Index last month, the Leipzig star admitted he would love to work with the Liverpool manager, saying: "It would certainly be a special experience to work under Klopp. As it would be under Pep Guardiola or Jose Mourinho.
“I don’t know what they would be able to get out of me. Relatively few footballers are given all this (opportunity), however. Only the best. I believe I can reach that level, and it would be great to work with any of them one day."
Liverpool are also continuing to assess the merits of a whole host of other midfielders following the early-June capture of Mac Allister for £35m. France Under-21 international duo Manu Kone and Khephren Thuram are under consideration alongside Gabri Veiga of Celta Vigo, Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia and Bayern Munich's Ryan Gravenberch.
Liverpool have also been speculatively linked with moves for Nicolo Barella at Inter Milan and Real Madrid star Fede Valverde in recent days as Schmadtke and the club's recruitment team continue to look at rebuilding in time for the new campaign.
