Liverpool believe they are being linked with Nicolas Pepe to drive the player's price up ahead of one of the biggest moves of the summer.
The Lille frontman is set to be on the move this summer after his 22 goals helped fire Lille to second place in France's Ligue 1.
But it doesn't look as though he is heading to Anfield, as Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is only looking to make tweaks to his Champions League-winning squad.
Liverpool are to offer Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain a 12-month extension to his current deal , and so are not likely to splash out big transfer fees on attacking reinforcements.
The Reds have been linked with Ivory Coast international Pepe, with L'Equipe recently reporting Liverpool had already tabled a £70m bid.
But the Liverpool Echo claimed those reports were incorrect and no talks have been held with either Lille or Pepe's representatives .
And Liverpool believe reports linking the player to them are merely attempts to drum up interest ahead of a big-money move, according to the Evening Standard .
Fizaeopsuz
45
Some fans are just funny. How many of you said Klopp should buy this and that player and he listened to your advice? Klopp knows what he wants for his team. The same goes for Pep, Ole and all the other coaches. You can rant about this player or that player but that's of no use at all. How many were saying Salah was a failure with Chelsea so you don't need him? Robertson from a relegated club and look where he is. Mane always goes missing and look now. VVD overpriced and look now. Let's humbly take our positions as supporters for our various clubs and let those tasked with taking our clubs forward do their job.
Nesaiknruy_Legend
28
Pepe doesnt belong at a club where he wont start. Hes too good to rot on Liverpools bench and on many occasions has expressed interest in signing for Chelsea so I'm certain he will be over after the ban. For now he will probably spend another season at Lille to improve further....
hezademru
21
if u r a Liverpool FC supporter n u r ranting becos of rumors on transfer market it is better u get in a bikini and go run in the women world cup.......seriously have some faith n maturity. no body asked u wen they got the players we have now...the coaching crew stuck to their fomular and got what they wanted n bam! we r wer we r. we certainly do t need u now to get what is necessary for the future. there is another window in January n who says there won't b transfers?! pepe isn't d only promising striker out there that can be bought.......so what's d fuss?! have some faith or just go run in women's world cup....rubbish!