Liverpool 'identify Dayot Upamecano as leading centre-back target'

Liverpool have reportedly identified RB Leipzig's Dayot Upamecano as their leading transfer target ahead of the January transfer window.

The Reds are expected to be without Virgil van Dijk for the remainder of the 2020-21 campaign due to a serious knee injury, meaning that a new centre-back is likely to arrive in the winter window.

Schalke 04's Ozan Kabak has been strongly linked with a move to Anfield, with a recent report claiming that the Premier League champions had opened talks over a mid-season switch.

However, according to Sunday World, Upamecano is the Merseyside outfit's number one target, and a £40m deal could be agreed during the January transfer window.

Upamecano will allegedly be available for €42m (£38m) next summer due to a release clause in his contract, and Manchester United are also believed to be firmly in the hunt for his signature.

The France international has scored once in seven appearances for Leipzig this season.