Barcelona centre-back Samuel Umtiti was “briefly considered” by Liverpool as a centre-back target before the transfer deadline, according to The Athletic‘s James Pearce.

However, the 27-year-old, who has 31 caps for France, was “reluctant” to leave the Camp Nou with the Reds deciding to quickly move on to other potential options.

Umtiti had, up until recently, been a bit-part player for Barca, with a succession of knee injuries blighting his career in recent seasons. It led to speculation linking him with Arsenal and Manchester United.

The Frenchman has, though, found a new lease of life under manager Ronald Koeman in recent weeks. He has started the Catalan club’s last three league games, with his side winning all three matches with only one goal being conceded.

Umtiti was not the only player approached by the Reds it seems. Reports suggest that Marseille’s Duje Caleta-Car, Sporting Braga’s David Carmo and Bayer Leverkusen’s Edmond Tapsoba were also the subject of offers before the Premier League champions eventually landed Schalke’s Ozan Kabak instead.