Liverpool are considering a move for 19-year-old Nantes winger Amine Harit.
The teenager is also being scouted by European giants AC Milan and Inter, while Nante's Ligue 1 rivals PSG are also said to be interested.
Harit has been slated as the new Hatem Ben Arfa, who is currently at PSG, withCalciomercatoreporting Liverpool are preparing to bid for forthe France U20 international in January.
The Reds have the edge on supposed rivals AC Milan and Inter, with the two Serie A clubs not expected to make bids during the winter transfer window due to their current financial issues. Harit has made 16 league appearances so far for Nantes, scoring his first goal for the club in a 2-0 win over Angers on Friday.
Milan and Inter could make bids in the summer, but the Reds will hope to have the deal wrapped up by the time that transfer window comes into effect.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has a good record of developing younger players throughout his career, with many fringe players getting their chance in the Anfield club's first-team last season due to their commitments in various competitions.
Despite being compared to Ben Arfa, Harit is not said to be anywhere near as troublesome as the former Newcastle United winger, with just his skills on the pitch being said to resemble Ben Arfa's mercurial displays.
Harit is seen as one of the brightest prospects in French football, alongside the likes of Thomas Lemar, Moussa Dembele and Adrien Rabiot, while other youngsters such as Anthony Martial and Kingsley Coman have already established themselves as members of France's senior squad.