Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has made Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Julian Brandt his number one target for the summer, according to reports in theLiverpool Echo.
The German international was said to be attracting interest from the Reds during last month's transfer window, however the Merseysiders were swiftly told that the player was not for sale at any price.
NEW: CONFIRMED: Liverpool will move for Julian Brandt this summer after Bayer refused to sell in January. https://t.co/sC3GHR3oT1
The setback is unlikely to deter Liverpool's interest at the end of the season however, andESPNsuggest that the Klopp is confident of landing his number one target in the summerby making a bid in the region of £20m.
At 20-years of age, Brandt is still relatively young, but whilst there may be reservations about his lack of experience, his record since breaking into the Leverkusen team four years ago is particularly impressive for a midfielder.
He has currently matched his assists tally from last season, although he will do well to beat the 10 goals he recorded last year and has so far only found the net three times in the current campaign.
Despite missing out on the final Germany squad for the 2016 European Championships in France, Brandt went on to play for his country in the Rio Olympics two months later, where he helped the teamclaim a silver medal.
He has since won four caps at senior level for his national side and is set to be a future star, though it remains to be seen whether he will continue his development in the Bundesliga with Leverkusen, or head to the Premier League and work with Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.