Liverpool have 'entered into discussions' with representatives of Lille striker Victor Osimhen, according to a report from France.
21-year-old Osimhen has been one of the breakout stars of the season in Ligue 1, scoring 18 times in his first campaign in France prior to the coronavirus-enforced hiatus, following a move from Charleroi last summer.
The Nigerian won the Under-17 World Cup back in 2015, also taking the Golden Boot in the tournament and has long been tipped as a star of the future.
Le10Sport claim that Premier League leaders Liverpool have opened 'discussions' with Osimhen's representatives, laying the groundwork for an official offer.
Liverpool aren't the only team interested though, with Chelsea and Manchester United also name-checked in the same report, which claims Lille are looking for around €70-80m (£60-70m) and see the English clubs as their best bet to achieve that payday.
Whether Liverpool would be willing to pay such a figure in reality is another matter entirely.
The Reds have been linked with attackers like Timo Werner, Milot Rashica and even Kylian Mbappe in recent weeks but 90min understands that the club will resist the urge to make big-money, marquee signings for the sake of it, regardless of their financial strength, and will instead stick to their strategy of looking for smart, value-for-money purchases that improve an already strong squad.
The pandemic has put the brakes on Liverpool's recruitment plans for this summer, with a reported meeting between Jürgen Klopp and Werner on ice because of travel restrictions.
The 24-year-old German, whose contractual buyout clause of around £52m expires in June, still appears the most likely summer arrival.
It is highly unlikely that Liverpool would sign both Werner and Osimhen, who both occupy similar central attacking roles.
The likelihood is that only one new attacker - to cover for the expected departures of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané to the Africa Cup of Nations in the new year, while also alleviating some of the burden on Roberto Firmino - will be sought.
Source : 90min