Liverpool are ready to trigger a potential release clause in RB Leipzig striker Christopher Nkunku's contract in an attempt to bring the player to Anfield next year.

What's the latest?

According to Sky Germany (via Rousing the Kop) RB Leipzig are preparing to offer Nkunku a contract extension that would also see a release clause of €65m (£55m) inserted.

This comes after ESPN revealed that Liverpool liked the player last month.

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Crucially, this release clause would only become active in 2023 meaning the German side would have one more season of the Frenchman's goals as well as a guaranteed sum of money should Liverpool wish to buy him.

This would provide the Reds with the perfect opportunity and means they won't have to negotiate a fee, however, they will have to wait longer than they might have hoped.

He's Salah 2.0

The 24-year old has been the star man for Leipzig this season and is their top scorer with 27 goals in 41 appearances. That's just three less than Liverpool's top scorer Mohamed Salah who sits on 30 so far.

He arrived in Germany in 2019 from Paris Saint-Germain and has been described as "unstoppable" by Goal, with former manager Jesse Marsch has said that he "has no weaknesses".

With lots of uncertainty still surrounding Salah's future at the club, Nkunku could be the perfect replacement, or partner which is what the Reds supporters will be hoping.

When you compare their stats they are remarkably similar, with Nkunku even bettering Salah in some areas. When it comes to goal per shots on target the Frenchman beats the Egyptian with 0.48 compared to 0.38.

They are also almost level on their number of goal creating actions with 28 for Nkunku and 25 for Salah. Given Liverpool are one of the best teams in Europe, the fact that the Leipzig man is matching the performance of their star player is impressive.

It's likely Klopp will keep a close eye on clubs in the Bundesliga and their players, so to see the Reds linked with the French international shouldn't be surprising.

An immediate transfer seems out of the question if he signs the contract extension, but if he continues producing top performances next season then signing him for £55m in 2023 sounds like a bargain.

AND in other news: "Will leave Liverpool.." - Romano drops transfer update that'll have supporters gutted...