Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp could solve his midfield crisis by dropping into the Championship and luring Sheffield United star Sander Berge to Anfield, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.
The Reds have already broken a club-record by forking out £85million to acquire Darwin Nunez earlier in the summer window, but there is still time for Klopp to make further adjustments to his squad ahead of Thursday's 11pm deadline.
GiveMeSport Transfer Update With Dean Jones
What's the latest news involving Berge?
According to the Yorkshire Post, Liverpool have joined the race for Berge's signature and may look to strike a deadline day deal.
The report suggests Sheffield United have already rejected bids from Belgian giants Club Brugge for the 30-cap Norway international, who has a £35million release clause written into his contract.
Berge first headed to English football when the Blades broke their transfer record to complete his £22million capture from Genk two-and-a-half years ago.
The central midfielder has gone on to make more than 70 appearances for Sheffield United, scoring 10 goals in the process.
The Championship outfit are in a strong negotiating position and do not necessarily need to offload Berge as his £33,000-per-week deal is due to run until 2024, so Liverpool may need to activate the 24-year-old's release clause if they want to get their man ahead of the transfer window's closure.
What has Dean Jones said about Berge?
Jones believes Liverpool could turn their attentions towards Berge if Klopp wants to bolster his squad as he has been on the German's radar for a prolonged period.
Although the Sheffield United man has struggled with injuries during his career, the transfer insider feels he is a more likely addition than Leicester City's Youri Tielemans, who has also been linked.
Jones told GIVEMESPORT: "If Liverpool do sign someone, I think it's going to be someone that holds good value and also is probably going to be someone that they've had on their radar for a while.
"That makes me wonder about someone like Sander Berge. He is a player that Liverpool have definitely looked at closely in the past.
"He has had problems with injury, which is obviously a bit off-putting but, if he is available at a decent fee, I could see Liverpool suddenly doing a deal like that.
"They would say 'this guy's been a long-term target of ours and we feel he fits in with our style of play', rather than going for somebody like Tielemans, who is just a trendy name at the moment."
Why is Berge of interest to Liverpool?
Klopp has performed a U-turn over signing a central midfielder and admitted that he will make a move if the right player is available due to Thiago Alcantara, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita and Curtis Jones currently being on the sidelines through injury.
Berge would not need to be given time to adjust to the Premier League as, thanks to his spell with Sheffield United, he has already amassed 29 appearances in the top flight.
The Norwegian also won silverware during his spell in Belgium, so he would rise to the challenge of competing for honours with Liverpool.