Liverpool have been alerted to talks over Dayot Upamecano's contract extension at Bayern Munich stalling, according to reports.
The Reds are on the lookout for another defender having missed out on Marc Guehi last summer and injuries costing them this season.
Despite signing highly-rated Italian Giovanni Leoni, Arne Slot has been left short-changed at the back due to long-term absences. Joe Gomez is the latest on the treatment table.
Upamecano, as a free agent at the end of June, is one of the possible additions being considered. Liverpool's own French defender Ibrahima Konate is also out of contract in the next five months.
Disagreement at Bayern Munich over Upamecano
Bayern Munich defender Dayot UpamecanoREUTERS/Angelika Warmuth
Although Upamecano has managed to shake off the error prone tag that followed him since Vincent Kompany's appointment as manager in Bavaria, Bayern have not reached an agreement over a new deal.
Sky Germany transfer expert Florian Plettenberg explains: "Everyone is waiting for his commitment, his signature. His contract is ready. But Bayern Munich will not improve their offer."
Plettenberg added: "Upamecano can sign it, [taking him until] 2030 or 2031. There's a release clause included from the summer of 2027.
"He can earn €20million (£17.3m) gross per year and receive a big signing feed, together with his agent. But Bayern is waiting for weeks, they want a decision soon.
"But my opinion is he's waiting for Liverpool, for Real Madrid. Liverpool is interested in Upamecano, we can confirm that."
Madrid are also thought to be looking at Konate as they plan a reshuffle in defence as well this year. Konate has had a problematic season to date, struggling for form next to Virgil van Dijk.
Liverpool are right to wait for Upamecano
Dayot Upamecano of FC Bayern München.
Dayot Upamecano of FC Bayern München.
In a world where Madrid regularly manage to pick up top quality players for free, Liverpool would be onto a real coup here with Upamecano if they pulled it off. He is one of the best players in his position around.
With speed and aerial ability, plus experience in managing large, open spaces in transition, he has proven himself to be more than capable at the very top. Managing to get someone of his quality without a transfer fee would be an enormous win in the market, especially if Konate left.
Upamecano, who has been dubbed as 'world-class', could be the man to lead the defence for the next five years at Anfield. Van Dijk's contract only has 18 months left and another dilemma approaches there, so wholesale changes in the middle are likely.
With a host of experience in the Champions League and international football, Upamecano is worth the wages it would surely take to get this across the line.