Liverpool have seen a bid for Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh rejected.
Attention shifted to the Gambia international, a long-term target, as Andoni Iraola’s side continue to be frustrated in their efforts to sign Ibrahim Mbaye.
But the Seagulls rebuffed an opening offer of £50 million from the Reds as they look to retain Minteh despite the player currently sidelined by injury.
The 22-year-old is expected to be ruled out until the end of October with an ongoing calf problem which required corrective surgery during pre-season.
Paris Saint-Germain are yet to agree to a sale of Mbaye despite signing Monaco’s Maghnes Akliouche earlier this month as a possible replacement.
Akliouche was the subject of interest from Anfield prior to his switch to the reigning European champions in a deal worth in the region of £42M.
Interest in Mbaye’s PSG teammate Bradley Barcola, meanwhile, remain at an impasse despite the France forward’s preference on a move to Merseyside.
Les Parisiens have paved the way for Barcola’s departure by strengthening their attack by adding Akilouche, Ferran Torres and Mike Godts recently.
However the 23-year-old’s price tag in the region of £130M is a stumbling block to Liverpool’s successful pursuit with a formative £98M offer tabled.