Liverpool are poised to take the next step of their midfield rebuild as the Under-21 European Championships get underway this week.
Having signed Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton & Hove Albion earlier this month by triggering a release clause that was believed to stand at £35m, the Reds' recruitment team have turned their attention elsewhere.
Khephren Thuram of OGC Nice in France's Ligue 1 is near the top of the shortlist, while the ECHO understands Celta Vigo's Gabri Veiga is also being assessed after an excellent campaign in La Liga that saw him score 11 times.