Liverpool are preparing to break their transfer record and spend £107 million on Bayer Leverkusen star Kai Havertz, according to reports in Spain.
The 20-year-old has established himself as one of Europe's top talents and was named in the Bundesliga Team of the Season last year.
He has already played over 100 games for Leverkusen since making his debut as a 16-year-old and has represented the German national side seven times.
According to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, Jurgen Klopp's side are going ahead of sides like Barcelona and Manchester United to secure Havertz's services next season.
Advert
The European Champions will have to smash their previous transfer record of £75 million that saw Virgil van Dijk move to Anfield from Southampton in 2018.
Liverpool have already added Takumi Minamino to their midfield ranks in January and Havertz could be a replacement for Adam Lallana, who's contract is up at the end of the season.
Havertz is widely renowned by Leverkusen fans and has been at the club since he was 11, but he admitted last year he'll have to move on one day to further his career.
He told German publication Bild:
Advert
"I am honest, at some point the next step must come for me.
"But I'm not going to worry about when exactly that will happen.
"What counts now is Bayer Leverkusen. We still have a lot to do. Leverkusen very quickly signaled that they wanted to keep me.
"That's why it wasn't an issue for me. Now I'm starting my tenth year here, maybe we can make it a golden one for the club.
Advert
"What will happen afterwards has not yet been decided. There is no club where I have already signed."
Liverpool will be hoping for more recruits in the coming transfer windows after confirmation that the next Africa Cup of Nations will be played during the domestic season.
The last AFCON tournament was played in the summer but 2021 will see a return to its usual winter slot.
Advert
It's bad news for Liverpool who have a variety of key players who could be at the tournament, including Naby Keita, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah.
Signing Havertz would not be a bad talent to add to an already strong squad.
Do you think Havertz will join Liverpool in the summer?
Sound off in the comments below.
Featured Image Credit: Footy RendersTopics: Liverpool, Football, Bayer Leverkusen, Transfers, Kai Havertz