Liverpool are reportedly ready to go head-to-head with Arsenal for the signature of Eintracht Frankfurt playmaker Jesper Lindstrom.
The 23-year-old won the Europa League during his maiden campaign with Die Adler last year and has continued to go from strength to strength in Germany this term.
Lindstrom has posted nine goals and four assists in 31 outings for Frankfurt in all tournaments during the current season, scoring seven goals in 22 Bundesliga appearances.
Primarily featuring as a number 10, the Denmark international has also been deployed on both wings, and his versatility could make him an attractive proposition for Premier League coaches.
Frankfurt have Lindstrom under contract for another three years, but the Europa League winners are unlikely to turn down a substantial offer for his services in the upcoming window.
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Arsenal are believed to have taken a liking to the former Brondby prospect, but according to journalist Florian Plettenberg, the Gunners are set to face competition from Liverpool.
Plettenberg adds that Frankfurt would be open to a sale this summer, and in an ideal world, the Bundesliga side would hope to hold out for a fee of €50m (£43.7m).
However, club chiefs have supposedly accepted that a figure between €35m (£30.6m) and €40m (£34.9m) is more realistic, and both Arsenal and Liverpool have already made contact with Frankfurt to discuss a summer move.
Lindstrom came through the academy at Brondby before earning a €7m (£6.1m) move to Frankfurt in 2021, and he has now posted 14 goals and 13 assists in 70 outings for the German club.
The attacker's form at club level earned him a call-up to the Denmark squad for the 2022 World Cup, and he started two games as the Scandinavian side suffered a disappointing group-stage exit.
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Liverpool have traditionally played without a number 10 during Jurgen Klopp's tenure, but a new creative force will be welcomed as Roberto Firmino prepares to depart at the end of his contract this summer.
A move for Chelsea playmaker Mason Mount has also been mooted as the England international stalls on a new deal at Stamford Bridge, but a move for Lindstrom would likely take up less of their summer budget.
As well as Firmino, Liverpool stand to lose Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner on free transfers this summer, while Arthur's loan move from Juventus will not be made permanent.
Jude Bellingham remains the Reds' number one engine room target, while Ryan Gravenberch, James Ward-Prowse and Conor Gallagher are also believed to be on Liverpool's radar.
Jurgen Klopp has affirmed that Liverpool will splash the cash this summer, but the Reds lie eighth in the Premier League table, and a lack of Champions League football would impact their transfer plans negatively.
Ben Knapton
