Liverpool have reportedly made Morocco star Sofyan Amrabat their top transfer target - and the midfielder is interested in moving to the Reds.
Amrabat was a key part of Morocco's memorable run at the World Cup as they became the first ever African side to reach the semi-finals of the tournament, playing every minute in Qatar.
The Fiorentina midfielder has widely been regarded as one of the breakout stars of the World Cup and has attracted interested from several top European clubs.
And, according to French outlet Foot Mercato - who had previously reported Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp held a meeting with Amrabat's representatives and will meet again following the World Cup- the German has identified him as his top target alongside England and Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham.
Klopp is keen to add to his options in central midfield during January and he has made Amrabat a 'priority' alongside Bellingham.
Amrabat is contracted with his club side Fiorentina until 2024, but the Foot Mercato report states they are not against selling him in January and have valued the 26-year-old at around £40m.
The midfielder is also reportedly keen on a move to the Premier League, with a transfer to Liverpool his preference.
The Merseyside outfit have long been in the market for a central midfielder, having gone in for Aurelien Tchouameni in the summer before he moved to Real Madrid.
They are widely reported to be the favourites to sign Bellingham - but Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, James Milner and Naby Keita are all out of contract next summer, while Curtis Jones and Fabinho have struggled for fitness and form this year - meaning the Reds may need to sign more than one midfielder.
However, if Liverpool do make a move for Amrabat in January, they are likely to face competition from Tottenham.
The report states Spurs boss Antonio Conte has been keen to sign Amrabat for several seasons.
In fact, Tottenham were reportedly interested in Amrabat in January this year, before instead deciding to sign Uruguay midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur.
An unnamed German club are also keen on the Amrabat, while Atletico Madrid are also known to be admirers of the 26-year-old.
In fact, speaking to Spanish outlet Marca recently Amrabat seemed to be tempted by a potential move to Diego Simeone's side. He said: 'I’m proud to be linked to top clubs like Barcelona and Atlético. But I’m a Fiorentina player, I respect the club and I’ve a great relationship with the president.
'[Diego] Simeone? We have a good coach at Fiorentina too but… yes, I like El Cholo's [Simeone's] style [of play].'
Amrabat's agent Mohammed Sinouh also claimed during the World Cup that there is much interest in the midfielder following his sensational displays in Qatar.
Sinouh said: 'Of course, I get a lot of phone calls for Sofyan. The whole world has seen he's the best holding midfielder of the World Cup.
'Sofyan is top professional, he's focused on World Cup with Morocco.'
His brother, Nordin - who played for Watford between 2016-2018 and now plies his trade for AEK Athens - also recently ramped up interest in the midfielder, claiming the top clubs in Europe had finally realised how good he was.
'I am really incredibly proud of Sofyan,' he told Dutch outlet De Telegraaf.
'When you play so well on such a stage – in three matches against countries like Croatia, Belgium and Canada – you have a lot going for you.
'I think the top clubs in Europe who have been sleeping have now woken up. In January, Sofyan himself was already in talks with Tottenham Hotspur, but there was no agreement on the transfer fee with Fiorentina.
'I think the interested parties will now line up.'
Liverpool return to action with a Carabao Cup tie against Manchester City on December 22, before facing Aston Villa in the Premier League on Boxing Day.