Liverpool are reportedly preparing to open talks with Valencia defender Shkodran Mustafi.
Mustafi began his professional career on Merseyside with Everton but left the Reds’ arch rivals for Sampdoria in 2012 after making just a solitary first-team appearance.
Reports in Spain claim that Jurgen Klopp has identified the 24-year-old as one of his primary summer transfer targets.
And Superdeporte claim that Liverpool will look to tie up a deal for Mustafi in the coming weeks, with Anfield representatives set to observe him further in Sunday’s derby with Villarreal, tonight’s Europa League opponents.
Any deal for the Blues’ reject, since a World Cup winner, is expected to command a fee in the region of €8 million.
La Liga giants Real Madrid and Barcelona have also been credited with an interest in the commanding defender.