Liverpool reportedly enquired about the possibility of signing in-demand RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol during the January transfer window.
A host of Europe's top clubs, including Chelsea, Manchester City and Real Madrid, are also thought to be in the race for the young defender, who burst onto the global scene with his performances at the World Cup, where Croatia finished third.
Gvardiol scored in the third-place playoff win over Morocco and was a standout figure for the Vatreni throughout, earning plaudits as one of the best-performing centre-backs at the tournament.
The 21-year-old has shown similar form at his club RB Leipzig too, netting the equaliser in their draw with Man City in the Champions League two weeks ago.
Liverpool are expected to be in the hunt for a centre-back in the summer due to the indifferent form shown by both Joe Gomez and Joel Matip this season.
Chelsea, meanwhile, added to their defence in January, signing Benoit Badiashile from Monaco, but with Thiago Silva now 38, the Blues may seek further reinforcements in that department.
Gvardiol has recently signed a contract at Leipzig which would keep him at the club until 2027, but Fabrizio Romano claims that a deal could be on the cards with Liverpool having already made an approach and Chelsea and Man City also firmly in the mix.
The Croatia international's current teammate Christopher Nkunku has already agreed to join Chelsea in the summer, so any switch to Stamford Bridge would see him reunite with the Frenchman in West London.
Andrew Delaney
