Liverpool are reportedly one of four Premier League clubs who are set to battle for the signature of Hoffenheim striker Maximilian Beier.
After spending last season on loan with Hannover in the German second tier, scoring seven goals in 33 games, Beier has since enjoyed an impressive 2023-24 campaign in the Bundesliga with Hoffenheim.
Indeed, the 21-year-old has contributed with 12 goals and five assists in 24 top-flight appearances so far this season, scoring six goals since the turn of the year.
Beier's goals have helped Hoffenheim move into seventh place in the Bundesliga table, although they currently sit seven points behind sixth-placed Eintracht Frankfurt, who beat them 3-1 last weekend.
Earlier this season, it was reported that Beier will leave Hoffenheim in the summer, with a number of top European clubs believed to be keeping tabs on his situation.
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According to Bild, via The Express, Liverpool are plotting a summer move for Beier and have been impressed by the youngster's prolific form in Germany.
However, the report adds that the Reds could face competition from fellow Premier League sides Brighton & Hove Albion, Brentford and Nottingham Forest to win the race for Beier's signature.
It is thought that Liverpool are currently best placed to sign Beier considering their prestige and financial pull, while they are all but guaranteed to qualify for next season's Champions League.
The addition of Beier could also boost Liverpool's chances of appointing Xabi Alonso as their successor to manager Jurgen Klopp, who is vacating his post at Anfield at the end of the season.
It is understood that Bayer Leverkusen boss Alonso has been 'very impressed' by Beier's performances in the Bundesliga this season and could look to recruit the striker at whichever club he is charge of in 2024-25.
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Liverpool are expected to be active in the summer transfer window and the addition of a new forward is believed to be high on the agenda, with Beier emerging as one of their leading targets.
Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz, Bayern Munich duo Leroy Sane and Jamal Musiala, and Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo are among a number of attack-minded players who have be linked with a summer move to Liverpool.
However, Beier could be viewed as a cheaper alternative for the Reds as he is said to have a €30m (£25.7m) release clause in his Hoffenheim contract that expires in June 2027.
Liverpool's interest in Beier comes at a time when both Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz have been tipped to potentially depart Anfield, with the former persistently linked with a switch to Saudi Arabia and the latter allegedly wanted by Paris Saint-Germain as a replacement for Kylian Mbappe.
Oliver Thomas
