Liverpool are on the verge of finalising a move for the highly-rated Nice midfielder Jean Michael Seri, according to reports from TransferMarketWeb (h/t Daily Express)

Reports in the past have indicated that Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal were interested in bringing the youngster to the English Premier League. Liverpool themselves were interested in Naby Keita of RB Leipzig whom they failed to land despite making two bids.

Now that it looks highly impossible to land Keita this summer; although Ralf Rangnick’s latest comments increase the anticipation, the Reds could be lured into looking at other targets. The midfielder was one of the standout performers for Nice last season and together with former Reds flop Mario Balotelli, he was the cornerstone of their success.

Seri still has two years left to run on his current contract which contains a €40million release clause. That is negligible compared to the astronomical prices we keep hearing in today’s transfer market. Add to that the fact that Nice may not be averse to selling him – and that too at a price of £20million – makes Seri a very attractive proposition. TransferMarketWeb via Daily Express report that Nice have already struck a deal with the Reds.

The Guardian reported earlier this week that the youngster has also been scouted by Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona, along with Liverpool. All these clubs sent their scouts for Nice’s game against Troyes. Although Seri saw his club lose 2-1, he created 8 chances for his side. Though it is wrong to compare apples and oranges, the Liverpool midfield created just 3 chances against Watford in the weekend.

The Ivory Coast international joined Nice from Portuguese side Pacos de Ferreira in 2015 and has already played 72 times. The success of N’Golo Kante, first at Leicester City and then at Chelsea, has given hope that the midfielders from Ligue1 can adapt quickly to the rigours of England.

Does this mean the end of Liverpool’s Keita pursuit? The Guinean international is definitely on top of Jurgen Klopp’s mind, who will keep circling RB Leipzig to see when he can be signed up. Seri’s pursuit should be seen as a totally independent chase.

What do you think of Seri?

https://youtu.be/FFWTYEC1pFg