Jurgen Klopp has held positive talks about Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Adrien Rabiot, according to reports.
The France international is out of contract next summer, and can sign a pre-contract agreement with a European club in January.
As a result, Liverpool have emerged as front-runners to sign the starlet – with Reds boss Klopp a huge admirer.
Although PSG boss Thomas Tuchel is trying to press the 23-year-old into extending his stay with the Ligue 1 champions, Rabiot is yet to sign a new deal at the Parc des Princes.
And that is great news for Liverpool, according to French football journalist Julien Laurens.
“I think it was quite positive,” he told The Anfield Wrap.
“I don’t think it’s the first time Rabiot’s men have talked with people from the club.
“The interest from Klopp is even pre-Liverpool and Liverpool, since Klopp have always been there.
“Perhaps not as much as now. At 23, he is an incredible talent, offers something differently to what they already have.
“I think there have been a lot of positives so far in those contacts.
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“There is a long way ahead but, if you look at Naby Keita, they played a blinder in getting him in early.
“Or they may even try and sign him for cheaper from PSG in January.
“But if Klopp realises he doesn’t need another midfielder – because it’s a position where they have a lot of talented players – he may try and sign him for free the following summer.”
While there is still a long way to go for the deal to be done, the fact Rabiot was a Liverpool fan as a child will certainly not hinder negotiations.
He told RMC in October 2017:“I would love to play in the Premier League.
“There’s not necessarily any club in particular, even though when I was young I was a big Liverpool fan.”