Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen continue to negotiate a deal for Florian Wirtz, with the German club suggesting either Harvey Elliott or Jarell Quansah go the other way.
The Reds look set to pull off a remarkable coup and sign Wirtz, beating the likes of Bayern Munich and Manchester City to the Germany international.
The first official bid was made over a week ago, with the offer worth around £109m and negotiations continue as Leverkusen want closer to £125m.
The Premier League champions will be reluctant to go as high as that, but there is the possibility that a player could be used in a swap deal.
Sky Germany report that Leverkusen have named Elliott and Quansah as players they are interested in as part of the discussions.
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Liverpool are reportedly open to the idea of a swap deal in order to get Wirtz, but whether Elliott or Quansah are players they are willing to let go is yet to be seen.
Both were regularly involved in matchday squads last season but neither were anything like regulars in Arne Slot’s starting XI.
Elliott made 18 Premier League appearances over the last campaign but just two of them came as starts, while Quansah made four starts in his 13 top flight outings.
The midfielder and the defender are both 22 years old and are seen as having bright futures at Anfield, but Leverkusen are testing Liverpool’s resolve in keeping them as part of the Wirtz discussions.
Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is now in charge at Leverkusen after the departure of Xabi Alonso and he has been linked with a number of Premier League players.
Not only have Liverpool stars been touted with a move to the BayArena, but Ten Hag could return to Old Trafford for the likes of Antony and Alejandro Garnacho.
The Bundesliga club is planning for a life without Wirtz as, whichever way a deal is reached, he is expected to be a Liverpool player next season after he made it clear that he wants the move to Anfield.
The move has even been hailed by Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann, who has suggested it would be an ideal switch for the 22-year-old.
‘It’s not official, but if it’s Liverpool, then it’d be a very good step because he can play in his position, a great environment, great club,’ Nagelsmann said.
‘Bayern wouldn’t have been a bad option either. It would’ve been good to have them (Wirtz and Musiala) playing together, but Jamal and Flo can get on well together even if they’re not at the same club.
‘The most important thing is that he plays and continues to develop. If he feels that he would be better off at Liverpool, then he has to do it.’
Talks are set to continue this week as Liverpool look to complete their second signing from Leverkusen of the summer having already brought in Jeremie Frimpong.