Liverpool target Manu Kone will miss the rest of the under-21 European Championships after suffering a sprained knee in their final group game against Switzerland.
The Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder has emerged as a player of interest for the Reds and Jurgen Klopp this summer with the focus on reinforcing midfield.
Dominik Szoboszlai has become a new name on the lips of fans after talks between representatives and the club as he joined Kone, Khephren Thuram, Ryan Gravenberch and Gabri Veiga on the shortlist.
However, the France U21 international suffered an injury which has curtailed his hopes of helping Sylvain Ripoll's side to glory after leaving the stadium on crutches.
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In a post to Twitter on Thursday, the French Football Federation confirmed the setback tweeting: "Due to an injury during the match against Switzerland, Manu Kone must forfeit the rest of the Euro Espoirs.
"We wish you a speedy recovery Manu."
He became the second casualty of the tournament for the Bleuets after Crystal Palace star Michael Olise was also ruled out for the remainder.
After undergoing scans in Cluj, it was revealed he sprained his knee with trauma to the patella after tests in Romania, according to L'Equipe. He was replaced Enzo Le Fee during the first-half of their win over Switzerland that secured top spot in the group.
They face Ukraine in the quarter-finals with Ripoll's side looking to become the first France side to win the competition since 1988 - which featured Laurent Blanc and Eric Cantona.
The ECHO understands Liverpool's interest in a quartet at the U21s Euros is real but there has been little to suggest any of Thuram, Kone, Veiga or Gravenberch are edging any closer to Anfield. Romeo Lavia of Southampton is another who has been the subject of due diligence in the recruitment department.
