Liverpool have reportedly identified Leicester City midfielder James Maddison as a potential transfer target for 2023.
Maddison has endured a frustrating few weeks, missing out on England's opening two fixtures at the World Cup through injury and failing to play a single minute in the Three Lions' run to the quarter-finals.
However, it has been a different story from an individual perspective in the Premier League, the 26-year-old contributing seven goals and four assists from 13 appearances.
While Maddison has now taken over the mantle as Leicester's key player, he has less than 19 months remaining on his contract at the King Power Stadium.
At a time when Leicester are now in contention to qualify for Europe in 2023-24, there currently appears little chance of Maddison opting to extend his terms courtesy of the interest from elsewhere.
During the summer, Newcastle United were regularly linked with a bid for the creator, reports suggesting a fee in the region of £50m ahead of him producing standout figures in the months that followed.
Nevertheless, according to Fichajes, Liverpool are monitoring the situation ahead of potentially making a formal bid in one of the next two transfer windows.
The report comes at a time when it has been claimed that Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham and Benfica's Enzo Fernandez are both said to be on Jurgen Klopp's list of targets for central midfield.
As it stands, that area of the pitch is likely to take priority, Liverpool needing a refresh with their performances having dropped off since the beginning of August.
However, providing that Maddison does not choose to extend his stay in the East Midlands, a battle will inevitably ensue for his services in the summer.
Leicester's position in the Premier League table is likely to dictate that all offers will be rejected during the January transfer window.
The Foxes required four wins from their five games before the World Cup break to move into 13th place, four points above the relegation zone.
Sitting just five points adrift of sixth-placed Liverpool, Brendan Rodgers will have aspirations to return to the hunt for European qualification, particularly with funds likely to be available after the sale of Wesley Fofana. body check tags ::
