Liverpool have reportedly had an opening bid worth €50million (£42m) for Lille defender Leny Yoro rejected.
The 18-year-old defender will not sign a new contract ahead of his existing deal expiring in 2025, sparking an auction for his talents this summer.
Lille are happy to cash in and The Athletic report that Real Madrid are strongly expected to land him, either this summer or as a free agent next year.
But Liverpool, according to Mundo Deportivo, have made their move - and been immediately shot down.
Manchester United are also said to have approached Yoro’s camp with a deal that would match or exceed Madrid’s offer with Lille holding out for €60m (£50m).
The big problem being that Yoro reportedly has his heart set on moving to Madrid.
Liverpool have back-up options should they fail to convince Yoro to move to Anfield, with Chelsea's Levi Colwill a reported serious target along side Sporting's Goncalo Inacio.
Stuttgart's Waldemar Anton and Juventus youngster Dean Huijsen have also been linked.
