Liverpool 'make Dayot Upamecano top transfer target'

Liverpool have reportedly identified RB Leipzig's Dayot Upamecano as their leading transfer target.

The Reds are widely expected to move for a new central defender during the January transfer window, having lost both Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez to long-term knee injuries.

A number of players have been linked with the Premier League champions in recent weeks, including Schalke 04's Ozan Kabak and Real Madrid's Eder Militao.

However, according to The Athletic, Jurgen Klopp's side have made Upamecano their leading target, with Leipzig seemingly facing an uphill task to keep the 22-year-old.

The report claims that Liverpool had initially wanted to wait until next summer to move for the Frenchman as a €45m (£39.9m) release clause will come into play ahead of the 2020-21 campaign.

However, the club's injury situation, which has also recently seen them lose stand-in central defender Fabinho, could force their hand at the start of 2021.

Manchester United and Manchester City are also both allegedly interested in signing Upamecano, who has made 10 appearances for Leipzig during the 2020-21 campaign.