Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Manu Kone has already claimed that he tries to block out speculation over his future amid Liverpool 'interest'.
Speculation surrounding the France U21 international has accelerated in the last 24 hours after reports of the Reds inquiring about the 22-year-old. SPORTBILD in Germany have suggested that the intentions of the Anfield club are "real" and "big".
On Tuesday, Jorg Schmadtke was confirmed as the new sporting director to replace the departing Julian Ward. It has been suggested that negotiations with Die Fohlen can now take place in German which could aid talks.
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They also report that Liverpool were previously quoted between €40m to €45m (£34m to £38m) and claim that they have already contacted the former Toulouse midfielder's management over their interest.
Manchester United have previously been linked with his services but it now appears the Reds are moving forward with their ambitions of bolstering their ranks.
Amid the growing interest from clubs around Europe, Kone acknowledged that his friends and representatives send him articles citing admirers. However, he reiterated his firm focus on football.
"At the moment, I am in Monchengladbach," Kone told Le Parisien in March. "I live well with rumours, I don't pay attention to everything that is said. It's more my entourage and my friends who send me the articles.
"It's a source of pride for them [entourage and friends] to see my name associated with big clubs, but it doesn't make me hot or cold. I prefer to finish my season quietly. Afterwards, what must happen will happen."
Despite their 10th-place finish in the Bundesliga this season, Daniel Farke has been backed by the Gladbach hierarchy. They missed out on the top six by seven points and 19 points off fourth-placed Union Berlin.
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