Liverpool are reported to have held a discreet meeting with Florian Wirtz as they look to disrupt Manchester City`s potential transfer move.
The highly-rated German midfielder had previously engaged in discussions with Manchester City regarding a possible £126 million transfer.
Pep Guardiola`s side had apparently hoped to persuade the Bayer Leverkusen attacking midfielder to choose the Etihad Stadium over Bayern Munich, viewing him as a primary target to potentially replace Kevin De Bruyne.
City had reportedly already spoken with Wirtz`s father and agent, Hans, about what could become a new British transfer record fee.
The rumoured £126m price tag would exceed the £115m paid by Chelsea for Moises Caicedo in 2023.
However, Liverpool appear ready to challenge City for the player`s signature.
The Reds` secret meeting with Wirtz reportedly took place on Tuesday.
Although Wirtz`s contract at the BayArena runs until 2027, a move this summer is widely anticipated.
German champions Bayern Munich are also said to be strongly interested in the 22-year-old German international.
Reports suggest Bayern are confident they will ultimately secure his transfer, believing Wirtz will honour a previous commitment to join them.
Wirtz has had another excellent season for Leverkusen, contributing ten goals and 12 assists in just 30 league appearances.
Meanwhile, Manchester City have also reportedly contacted AC Milan regarding 26-year-old Tijjani Reijnders, though no formal bid has been submitted yet. Milan is said to value the Dutch midfielder at around £60m.
City are also reportedly interested in Nottingham Forest`s Morgan Gibbs-White, 25.
However, Newcastle is expected to resist any attempt by City to sign their England international defender Tino Livramento, 22, who has performed well as the first-choice right-back ahead of Kieran Trippier.
Marcus Bellamy