Liverpool have reportedly made an official transfer enquiry for long-term target Yves Bissouma after Brighton placed a £40million price tag on the Mali midfielder.
Bissouma has long been on Liverpool's radar and was linked to an Anfield move as early as last Christmas but began the season in Albion colours after a deal with the Reds failed to materialise.
However, Jurgen Klopp's side have now made an opening move for Bissouma, according to the Express.
Brighton have set their asking price but are reluctant to sell the 24-year-old after already unloading Ben White to Arsenal for £50m this summer.
The club are not keen to let him leave the south coast by any stretch but reportedly accept they may have to sell if the right offer comes in.
Bissouma's current contract isn't set to expire until 2023 but Albion have reportedly opened preliminary discussions about a new deal for the Mali international.
Brighton boss Graham Potter insisted that Bissouma was happy at the Amex Stadium but admitted he did not know what the player's future held when he spoke ahead of the Seagulls' league opener at Turf Moor.
'I've been speaking about Yves Bissouma for quite some time and he's still here,' said Potter.
'That's all I can say on it. I can't control the future, I don't know what's going to happen essentially - that's the beauty of life and football.
'Yves is with us, he's happy, he's smiling, he wants to play, he wants to keep improving his career, he's taking steps.
'He's our player and, while he's still here, we'll do our best to help him.'
The midfielder has established himself as a key part of Potter's side since arriving from Lille in 2018 for £18m.
Bissouma made 35 league starts for the Seagulls last season and has impressed with his energy, anticipation and tenacious style of play, including during their winning start to this season, garnering him plenty of top-flight admirers.
Klopp reportedly faces competition in his pursuit of Bissouma with Manchester United, Tottenham and Arsenal said to be tracking him.
However, according to football reporter Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool are frontrunners in the race for Bissouma's signature.
Ibrahima Konate is the sole new addition to Klopp's squad this season after the centre back arrived for £36m from RB Leipzig but Liverpool could be set to bring another signing to Anfield before the transfer window shuts next week.
The Reds have yet to replace Gini Wijnaldum, who joined PSG on a free transfer in July following the expiry of his contract at Liverpool, and Bissouma has made Klopp's shortlist of targets to replace the Dutchman.