Liverpool are one of three Premier League clubs interested in Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos, according to reports in Spain.
The Reds are believed to have increased their interest in the 22-year-old in recent weeks, with Tottenham and Arsenal also keen.
Fans on Twitter had a mixed reaction to the reports, with some questioning their reliability:
Man would thrive under Jurgen
— ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (@LI4MYNWA) 3 July 2019
Good bench player
— União Sinistra LIV-FLA-BOS (@felipeinfluence) 3 July 2019
— allez`deReds (@LimbargoVenn) 3 July 2019
I feel like we get linked with him most windows recently
— Jordan (@jordyne89) 3 July 2019
This is rubbish . . . We need a LB and a out and out goal scorer . Then maybe a world class creative AM to back Bobby up
— Steve Roberts (@SteveRo74209728) 3 July 2019
We don’t need any more midfielders, we need a left back and winger for depth, two signings worth a combined 60-70m (predominantly spent on the winger) a very simple and low budget window but seems to be difficult somehow….
— Al (@LiverpoolAl08) 4 July 2019
Nah man, why should we be taking real madrids write offs? We’re Liverpool FC, let’s shock the world and take someone’s star performer. Make a statement of intent
— Rob Dean (@Akloppalypse78) 3 July 2019
Lovely player!
— Erik Brunnegård (@erikbrunnegard) 3 July 2019
Would be nice lallana replacement
— Sub (@Subindra99) 3 July 2019
No! Ox can do the job. Bring Pepe, he can play in all places in front
— Nando Pontes (@Nandofmrp) 3 July 2019
Ceballos did show his talent during the European Under 21 Championships for Spain and is available this summer with Real manager Zinedine Zidane keen to offload him.
Liverpool are, though, likely to be focusing their sights on signing a left-back first and foremost, as they seek a replacement for Alberto Moreno.
A bid for a forward would also be more likely than another central midfielder, and while Ceballos has potential, it’s unlikely that he would get a place in the starting eleven.
Even so, Reds scouts are likely to have watched him, considering his availability and his age.