Liverpool 'considered' making a deadline day move for Konrad Laimer but encountered a 'real problem' when the Anfield outfit opened negotiations with RB Leipzig, according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.
Although the Merseyside giants broke a club-record by forking out £85million for Darwin Nunez in June, they were unable to get a deal for Laimer over the line ahead of Thursday's 11pm deadline.
GiveMeSport Transfer Update
What's the latest news involving Laimer?
According to respected German journalist Florian Plettenberg, Liverpool tried to sign Laimer in the final days of the summer transfer window but found it impossible to seal a deal.
Plettenberg suggests the Reds, along with Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich, remain interested in the 24-cap Austria international and could return to the negotiating table in January.
It is understood that Leipzig were reluctant to lose Laimer so close to the deadline after Liverpool enquired over his availability.
German media outlet Kicker, via the Liverpool Echo, claimed that the central midfielder was available for £25million before his current employers decided against cashing in.
Although Liverpool missed out on Laimer's signature, he could be a free agent at the end of the season as he has entered the final 12 months of his £49,000-per-week contract at Leipzig.
What has Fabrizio Romano said about Laimer?
Romano understands that Liverpool held an interest in Laimer during the closing stages of the transfer window.
However, the Italian journalist is aware that Reds boss Jurgen Klopp was unable to land the 25-year-old because Leipzig were unwilling to do business so close to the deadline.
Romano told GIVEMESPORT: "He was one of the players they considered, but the real problem is RB Leipzig.
"We know how German clubs are and it is really difficult to negotiate with German clubs in the final days of the window.
"They wanted to keep their squad together and didn't want to change key players of the squad in the final hours."
Did Liverpool sign someone else after missing out on Laimer's signature?
Liverpool sealed the deadline day acquisition of Arthur Melo, with the Brazilian arriving on a season-long loan from Juventus which could be made permanent for £32million.
The 26-year-old has described his switch to Anfield as 'a dream' and will offer Klopp a much-needed option in the middle of the park.
That is because the Liverpool boss had admitted he was in the market for a central midfielder due to Thiago Alcantara, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita and Curtis Jones being on the sidelines through injury.