Liverpool have been linked with a move for Southampton star Armel Bella-Kotchap and the growing admiration from Anfield should not come as a surprise, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.
Darwin Nunez became the Merseyside giants' most expensive acquisition when he made the £85million switch from Benfica in the summer, but boss Jurgen Klopp is already looking at potential reinforcements ahead of the winter window.
GiveMeSport Transfer Update With Dean Jones
What's the latest news involving Bella-Kotchap?
According to Spanish sources, Liverpool are monitoring Bella-Kotchap's progression at Southampton and the centre-half is being seen as a potential long-term replacement for Virgil van Dijk.
The report suggests Klopp - who has been in the Anfield dugout for close to seven years - is an admirer, but he is facing competition from Real Madrid and Bayern Munich for his signature.
Bella-Kotchap only moved to the Premier League for the first time in his career when he joined Southampton in a £10million deal from German side VfL Bochum during the summer transfer window.
The 20-year-old has made an instant impact at St Mary's and played every minute of his new employers' last six Premier League fixtures.
Bella-Kotchap has been rewarded for his impressive early season form by being called up to the Germany squad for the first time, meaning he could come up against Hungary and England during the current international break.
What has Dean Jones said about Bella-Kotchap?
Jones believes Bella-Kotchap has shown that he has a bright future ahead of him and, as a result, Liverpool's interest should not come as a shock.
The journalist has tipped the German star to seal a move to a club challenging for regular silverware within the next 24 months.
Jones told GIVEMESPORT: "He’s certainly on a steep climb right now, called up for Germany and also linked to Liverpool.
"I don’t think it’s a surprise they would be monitoring him at this stage because the way he has adapted to the Premier League has been so impressive. He’s only 20 and I think he will end up at a top club within two years."
Will it be easy to sign Bella-Kotchap?
Bella-Kotchap penned a four-year deal when he completed his summer switch to Southampton, so they will have the upper-hand in negotiations with any suitors and are not under any pressure to sanction his departure.
The colossus revealed Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl played a key role in convincing him to make the move and he is excited to be part of the project at St Mary's.
However, Southampton have been open to selling some of their leading stars to Liverpool in the past, including van Dijk for £75million, so an eventual move to Anfield should not be ruled out.