Saka has already sent clear £71m message to Liverpool after refusing 'swap'

Bukayo Saka has previously expressed admiration for Liverpool transfer target Marcus Thuram.

Arne Slot's side are reportedly eyeing up a move for the Inter Milan forward in the January transfer window. The Merseysiders have hardly been short of goals this season, but their only new arrivals in the summer were goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvilli of Valencia – who won't arrive until next year – and Federico Chiesa of Juventus.

Meanwhile, Thuram has started the campaign strongly with an Inter side who has been impressive in the Champions League, having recently beaten the Gunners 1-0. Reports from Italy understand Liverpool are interested in the French international and believe the fact that they have his purported best friend Chiesa within the ranks could help sway him to Anfield. Italian sports newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport has reported that Liverpool have been keeping tabs on Thuram, potentially looking to bring him onboard in January.

Thuram has netted eight goals and provided five assists for Inter this season, and is believed to have a release clause of €85million (£71million) in his contract. Last season, he contributed 29 goals which helped Inter clinch the Serie A title, finishing a whopping 19 points ahead of rivals AC Milan.

Their victory against the Gunners was another firm statement by Simone Inzaghi's side, and if Thuram was to arrive at Anfield, Saka will likely be even more concerned about the Reds.

Saka, who captained the Gunners during their defeat in Milan, has previously admitted that he strongly admires Thuram.

He singled out Liverpool target Thuram as one player he'd love to see at the Emirates, if he had the chance to sign the French striker. However, he would still not swap Thuram for any of his team-mates.

In a recent interview, he said: "If I was to take a player out of Inter Milan now, I could take a lot of them. There are a lot of quality players.

"I like [Nicolo] Barella, he's a top midfielder and also the two strikers [Marcus] Thuram and [Lautaro] Martinez. They're good as well, but at the same time I'm happy with my teammates and I wouldn't swap any of them, for sure."

Liverpool are currently enjoying a dream campaign which has seen them power their way to the top of the Premier League and the Champions League table. Slot will take his table-topping team to the South Coast to face Southampton on Sunday (2pm). They will then return to Anfield to host Real Madrid in the Champions League next Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Saka's side are hanging onto a place in the top four by their fingernails, having fallen nine points behind Liverpool and two points behind the top eight in the Champions League.

Mikel Arteta's side have a tricky return from the international break. They host this season's surprise package Nottingham Forest before facing Sporting CP, who will be competing in their first Champions League match since losing former boss Ruben Amorim to Manchester United.