Liverpool are in talks with Stuttgart over signing their Japan midfielder Wataru Endo.
The 30-year-old made 33 Bundesliga appearances last season, scoring five goals and registering four assists.
Stuttgart narrowly avoided relegation last season by winning a play-off against Hamburg.
Liverpool have moved for Endo after missing out on Ecuador international Moises Caicedo, who has joined Chelsea from Brighton in a £115m deal.
The Reds are also set to be beaten by Chelsea to the signing of Southampton's Belgian midfielder Romeo Lavia, 19.
Endo, who has 50 caps for Japan, joined Stuttgart initially on a season-long loan in 2019 before completing a permanent deal.