Liverpool have reportedly made an offer to sign Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong.

The Dutchman has been the centre of transfer speculation throughout the transfer window after Manchester United agreed a £85m deal with Barcelona.

However, due to United's lack of Champions League football and an issue over deferred wages, De Jong is reluctant to leave the Camp Nou.

Chelsea are also interested in signing the Netherlands international, while Bayern Munich recently emerged as a loan option for De Jong.

However, there could be further competition for De Jong's signature with Liverpool allegedly showing an interest as they look to strengthen their midfield, with the likes of Naby Keita, Thiago Alcantara, Curtis Jones and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain currently injured.

According to Forbes, Liverpool have also entered the race after making an offer to Barcelona that could total £60m.

Liverpool have submitted an initial £53m bid, which would also include £7m in add-ons, although their offer falls short of the amount agreed between United and Barcelona.

Unlike their rivals, the Reds can offer De Jong Champions League football, which they hope can convince the 25-year-old to join the club.

Barcelona are still open to selling De Jong so they can free up space on their wage bill to try to make further signings, with Marcos Alonso and Bernardo Silva linked with the Catalan giants. body check tags ::