Alexis Mac Allister is on set to become Liverpool’s first summer signing.
Jurgen Klopp’s side are eyeing a swift start to their planned rebuild after falling short of their Champions League qualification target last season.
Chief among the Reds’ recruitment priorities is securing Mac Allister’s services before the Brighton star heads off on international duty later this week.
The 24-year-old will link up with Argentina ahead of a double header of friendlies against Australia and Indonesia on June 15 and 19 respectively.
Manchester United were previously credited with an interest in Mac Allister but have since turned their interest to ex-Liverpool target Mason Mount.
Anfield chiefs are understood to be confident of striking a deal for the midfielder despite him signing a new contract with Brighton prior to the World Cup.
Roberto De Zerbi admitted after last month’s Premier League finale that he feared Mac Allister would be one of the Seagulls’ imminent high-profile exits.
“I think that can be the last game of Alexis and Moises (Caicedo), I’m really sorry,” he said at the time.
“They are two great people and two great players. The policy of Brighton is like this. I think it’s right they can leave, can change teams and play in a level higher.
“We are ready. We have to find other big players to play without Alexis and Moises.
“If you ask me about Caicedo and Mac Allister, I love them and they are two big, big players and can play in a big European team.
“They can play in every competition. I hope for them they can play [for the] best team in the world, because we’ll be the first big fan of them.”