Liverpool reportedly came close to signing Marseille defender Duje Caleta-Car, before agreeing terms with Preston North End's Ben Davies.

Jurgen Klopp's side are keen to sign a centre-back before Monday's transfer deadline due to injuries to Virgil Van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Joel Matip and Fabinho.

The Daily Mirror reports that Liverpool were very keen on signing Caleta-Car and agreed a deal with the French club over a move.

The 24-year-old was then set to fly to England this weekend and put pen to paper on a contract with the Anfield club, but the plug was pulled at the last minute.

Liverpool decided to turn their attention to Preston defender Davies, and are now believed to have agreed a deal worth £2m for the centre-back.

Youngster Sepp van den Berg is expected to head in the opposite direction on loan to the Championship club for the rest of the season.

Caleta-Car, who joined Marseille in 2018 from Red Bull Salzburg, has made 24 appearances in all competitions this campaign, four of which came in the Champions League.