Liverpool have opened negotiations with Arsenal for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Chelsea were in pole position for the England international after their £35 million bid was accepted but the player would prefer to join the Reds instead.
With less than 12 months remaining on Oxlade-Chamberlain’s current deal, the Gunners have altered their stance in refusing to deal with Anfield officials.
The midfielder is understood to be keen on working with Jurgen Klopp as talks over his long-term future at the Emirates Stadium remain at a stalemate.
Oxlade-Chamberlain is likely to cost Liverpool in the region of £40m as Arsenal look to cash in or risk losing him on a free transfer next summer.
Klopp remains interested in Monaco’s Thomas Lemar as he considers sanctioning a club-record fee of £70m to land the versatile playmaker.
Talks with the Ligue 1 champions are continuing despite claims of interest from Barcelona, who have failed to lure Philippe Coutinho from Anfield.