Liverpool's past interest in signing Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Moises Caicedo was reportedly scuppered by the amount they would have had to pay in agent fees.
The 20-year-old was linked with a number of the Premier League's biggest clubs during the recently-closed transfer window, despite only making eight appearances during his first full season at the Amex last term.
Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea all continue to be linked with Caicedo ahead of the January transfer window, but CBS Sports reporter Ben Jacobs claims that previous interest has fallen down as a result of a complicated situation regarding the player's representatives.
The report suggests that Liverpool have held a long-standing interest in the Ecuador international dating back to his time at Independiente del Valle, but that they were wary of expensive agents fees with a number of agencies claiming to represent him.
Brighton, who brought Caicedo to the club for £4.5m in February 2021, would reportedly demand more than 10 times that figure to sell the youngster now.
The Seagulls are understood to have placed a price tag of at least £50m on the midfielder's head ahead of expected January interest.
Former Brighton boss Graham Potter, who is now in charge of a Chelsea side that have been credited with an interest, previously laughed off rumours of a £42m bid in August, suggesting that even £100m would not be enough to prise Caicedo away from the Amex.
However, Caicedo has since admitted that he would find it difficult to turn down a switch to Stamford Bridge, while also saying that a move to Manchester United would be a "dream".
Brighton face Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday, when Jurgen Klopp will have an opportunity to cast his eye over the Seagulls midfielder first-hand.
