International breaks often provide fertile ground for transfer rumours to dramatically appear and it seems that the current recess from the rhythm of the Premier League calendar has proven so when it comes to Liverpool speculation.
Kai Havertz, the prolific Bayer Leverkusen attacking midfielder who became the youngest player to reach 50 Bundesliga appearances in 2018 and netted 20 times last season.
Still not 21 until next June and with seven full caps for Germany already, he has become one of world football's hottest properties.
Liverpool have been put on red alert for Havertz along with Premier League rivals Manchester United and Arsenal claim football.london after Leverkusen head coach Peter Bosz admitted he could be powerless when it comes to trying to keep hold of the in-demand wonderkid.
The Dutchman told Sport Bild: “Of course I would like to keep him, just as I would have liked to keep Julian Brandt, for example.
“Kai is only 20 and still has room for improvement. I can help him there.
“But it is like this, at the end the player himself must feel when he is ready for the next step.
“Nobody can decide that for him.”
The lure of a potential move to Anfield to play under compatriot Jurgen Klopp for the European champions could be great for someone like Havertz.
Real Madrid, in need of fresh blood for a major rebuilding job, have also been linked to his signature while Bayern Munich, Bundesliga champions of the past seven seasons, would provide an option if he doesn't yet fancy a move abroad.