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Duncan Castles has been speaking on the most recent episode of The Transfer Window Podcast, where he revealed Liverpool have made 'direct contact' with Yves Bissouma's representatives ahead of a potential summer transfer.
The 24-year-old midfielder has been in impressive form for Brighton & Hove Albion this season, starting 32 of the Seagulls' 35 Premier League games to date and achieving a solid 6.98/10 WhoScored rating in the process.
Bissouma's splendid displays have attracted the attention of several big clubs this season, including the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal, but the Reds are also reportedly interested in acquiring the Mali international's services.
According to Castles, Jurgen Klopp's men have joined the Gunners and newly-crowned Premier League champions Manchester City in making contact with his people.
He said: (45:39) "My information is that both Liverpool and Arsenal have been in direct contact to explore the possibility of a transfer. Manchester City have contacted the player's representatives, and outside England, Marseille also hold a strong interest.
"I think with Brighton, they are pretty pragmatic about these things. They have a valuation on a player, they know that if the player has reached the level where Champions League clubs are serious about buying him that it's difficult to hold on to that kind of player, should they offer a sufficient transfer fee.
"And my understanding is that if one of those clubs gets to £30 million in a pandemic affected market, that should be enough for Brighton to say 'yes, okay, we accept that you've served us well and will allow you to go elsewhere.'"
TIF Thoughts on Bissouma's future.
Liverpool arguably only have one natural defensive-midfielder in their squad in the shape of Fabinho, so added strength in depth in that area is likely to be welcomed by Klopp.
Whether the tough-tackling African would settle for a bit-part role at Anfield remains to be seen, but the Merseyside club will surely be desperate to get closer to the top of the Premier League table next season and Bissouma could help them do just that.
A £30m asking price for an experienced top-flight talent valued at £15.3m (as per Transfermarkt) appears to represent good value for money, so it wouldn't come as a shock to see Bissouma depart the south coast this summer.
In other news: 'The big thing for me is' - James Pearce delivers transfer verdict at Liverpool
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