Liverpool have reportedly re-joined the race to sign Franck Kessie from Barcelona this summer.
The Ivorian midfielder struggled to make an impact at Camp Nou in his first season at the club during 2022-23.
After making the move from AC Milan, Kessie was not a frequent starter and registered just one goal and one assist in La Liga.
Kessie was absent from the Barca side which faced his former club in a friendly earlier this week, fuelling rumours that he could depart.
Manager Xavi quickly disregarded those comments though by revealing that Kessie had come down with illness.
Kessie has previously been linked with a move to Anfield this summer, but interest died down when Liverpool moved for Romeo Lavia.
However, Spanish outlet Sport claims that Liverpool, along with Juventus and Tottenham Hotspur, are keeping tabs on the 26-year-old.
The report states that Kessie is valued at €25m (£21.5m) and that Liverpool are considering a bid for the player.
The midfielder enjoyed a very good spell in Italy, firstly with Atalanta BC, before moving to Milan in 2017.
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In five years with the Rossoneri, Kessie contributed to 45 goals in Serie A and helped the club to the Scudetto in his final season.
However, he has found it slightly difficult to adjust to life in Catalonia, often playing a bit-part role behind Frenkie de Jong, Gavi and Pedri.
The news of Liverpool's interest comes after reports that a second bid from the club has been rejected for Lavia from Southampton.
After making £37m and £41m bids for the young Belgian, Southampton remain committed to holding out for £50m.
Liverpool are keen on a new central midfielder especially after Fabinho joined Jordan Henderson in Saudi Arabia last week.
It leaves Jurgen Klopp without a recognised holding midfielder, and their worries were compounded when Alexis Mac Allister was taken off against Bayern Munich.
The knee injury sustained by the Argentina international may not be too serious, but Klopp did say it was not worth risking him by keeping him on with just a week until the start of the new season.
Andrew Delaney
