Liverpool could find themselves aiding a Real Madrid move for Trent Alexander-Arnold amid their interest in Takefusa Kubo.
The Reds are yet to make a signing under new boss Arne Slot but Real Sociedad winger Kubo has emerged as a speculated target.
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Japanese outlet Sports Nippon have reported that a transfer fee of €60million [£50million] has been set as the asking price and negotiations are 'in the final stages'.
The Daily Mail's Lewis Steele has said these reports are 'premature' as Liverpool wait to get up and running in the transfer market.
However, finalising a deal for Kubo could assist a key departure as talkSPORT understands Madrid are keen on signing Alexander-Arnold.
Kubo left Madrid in 2022 for Sociedad, who paid €6million [£5million] for 50 per cent of the Japan international's rights, as per The Athletic.
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This means that Madrid are able to re-sign him for half of the sale fee or earn 50 per cent of Sociedad's sale profit.
As a result, Carlo Ancelotti's side could be offered a financial boost in their hopes of signing Alexander-Arnold.
The right-back is entering the final year of his contract at Liverpool and could therefore leave for free next summer.
Whether or not Liverpool would entertain a move for their academy graduate remains to be seen, although there has so far been no talk over a new deal.
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Alexander-Arnold has made 310 appearances across all competitions for Liverpool, scoring 19 goals and assisting a further 81.
He has won the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup, Super Cup, Club World Cup and Community Shield at the club.
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Should the 25-year-old complete a move to Madrid, he would join a side who look set to dominate European football in the coming years.
The Spanish giants completed the sensational free signing of Kylian Mbappe after he left Paris Saint-Germain and recently unveiled him in a sold out Santiago Bernabeu.
Madrid already boasted attacking talents including Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo before his arrival but have now become even stronger.
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Jude Bellingham is also one of their key stars, with he and Alexander-Arnold close friends amid their time with England at Euro 2024.