Liverpool and Southampton are in the hunt for Inter Milan defensive starlet Zinho Vanheusden, according to reports.
The Belgium Under-19 international has shone for the Italians’ youth teams since arriving from home-country club Standard Liege in 2015.
Inter coach Luciano Spalletti has called the centre-back, 18, into his senior squad for the Serie A giants’ pre-season preparations.
According to Nieuwsblad, Scouts have recommended Vanheusden to Anfield boss Jurgen Klopp and new Saints chief Mauricio Pellegrino, and both clubs have opened discussions with Inter.
However the San Siro club has declared its intention to keep hold of the Hasselt-born teenager, who is under contract until 2019.
But Vanheusden would relish a move to Liverpool, where he would link up with countrymen Simon Mignolet and Divock Origi.
Chelsea and Everton watched him on international duty against Italy in March, together with clubs from across Europe including Borussia Dortmund and Lyon.
Meanwhile, the Reds look to have abandoned their chase of RB Leipzig midfielder Naby Keita.
Klopp was hoping to sign the Guinea international for a club-record £70million deal.
But the Bundesliga side have stood firm in their decision not to cash in on their star player leaving Jurgen Klopp with no choice but to pursuit other targets.
Keita is thought to be furious at Leipzig’s reluctance to let him talk to the Premier League club.
Sign up to play Dream Team 2017/18 now
Have you signed up to play fantasy football yet?
If the answer is no you need to take a long, hard look at yourself.
Because the Dream Team game – the UK’s biggest fantasy football game – is back and better than ever this season.
You’ve got a £50m budget to pick 11 players, with all the biggest new signings ready and raring to go ahead of a mouthwatering new Premier League campaign.
So what are you waiting for? Sign up to play now!