PSV Eindhoven winger Johan Bakayoko could be available for around €25m (£21.6m) in January amid interest from Liverpool, according to a report.
The 20-year-old enjoyed a breakthrough season in PSV's first-team in 2022-23, scoring nine goals and registering six assists in 39 games across all competitions as the Dutch side finished second in the Eredivisie to qualify for the Champions League.
Bakayoko has since contributed with one goal and six assists in 15 appearances this term, helping PSV win each of their opening eight Eredivisie matches to climb to the top of the table.
The former Anderlecht and Club Brugge youngster has lifted two KNVB Beker trophies and two Dutch Super Cups since joining PSV in 2019 and is now considered a key player under head coach Peter Bosz.
Bakayoko has recently worked his way into the Belgium national team squad and has earned five senior caps since and including his debut in March, and the winger has been called up again for this month's international break.
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Bakayoko still has three years remaining on his contract with PSV, but the winger has been tipped to seek pastures new in recent months amid interest from other European clubs.
Liverpool are understood to hold an interest in the youngster, while fellow Premier League club Brentford allegedly failed with a summer bid for the winger.
Although PSV would ideally like to keep hold of Bakayoko, Fichajes reports that the Dutch outfit could entertain offers of €25m (£21.6m) during the January transfer window.
The report adds that Liverpool's pursuit of Bakayoko is their 'new objective' ahead of the New Year and they will look to take advantage of the winger's affordable asking price.
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Jurgen Klopp's side could step up their interest in Bakayoko if star attacker Mohammed Salah decided to leave Anfield amid interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia.
Salah was the subject of a whopping £150m bid from Saudi Pro League champions Al-Ittihad late in the summer transfer window, but Liverpool had no interest in selling the Egyptian and would have had little time to recruit a possible replacement.
Saudi Pro League director of football Michael Emenalo claimed last month that Middle Eastern clubs still hold an interest in Salah, while the league's marketing chief Hafez Al-Medlej has stated that teams in the region "must start working" on the signing of Salah.
Liverpool-linked Bakayoko could follow in the footsteps of Dutch forward Cody Gakpo, who swapped PSV for Anfield in January this year after nearly five years with the Eredivisie club.
The likes of Real Madrid's Rodrygo and Wolverhampton Wanderers' Pedro Neto are also believed to be on Liverpool's radar ahead of 2024.
Oliver Thomas
