- Liverpool keen on Borussia Dortmund star Karim Adeyemi
- Reds willing to pay up to €50m (£41.9m) for a future transfer to replace Mohamed Salah
- Winger scored hat-trick in 7-1 thrashing of Celtic in Champions League
Liverpool have scouted Borussia Dortmund winger Karim Adeyemi and are prepared to pay up to €50m (£41.9m) in a future transfer, according to a report.
The 22-year-old has been in fine form in recent weeks, firing in a hat-trick against Celtic in the Champions League for last season's finalists after grabbing a brace of assists in the Bundesliga win over Bochum.
Liverpool were similarly successful in Europe, beating Bologna 2-0 thanks to strikes from Alexis Mac Allister and Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian has six goals and five assists in all competitions but is yet to sign a contract extension, with his current deal at Anfield due to expire next summer.
German outlet BILD claim the Reds have started making contingency plans in case of Salah's exit and Adeyemi is one of their main targets on the right wing. The speedster usually plays on the left but has featured on the opposite flank lately to devastating effect.
Liverpool are said to have sent scouts to watch the Germany international in the Bundesliga and have outlined the €50m transfer fee they are willing to pay to secure a deal.
The winger emerged as a target for Chelsea during the summer transfer window, as revealed by footballboast, and later failed to rule out a potential move.
However, Adeyemi, who had to be substituted after his treble on Tuesday due to injury, was asked about his future and revealed he wasn't thinking of leaving Dortmund just yet.
He said: "I feel great here in Dortmund. I was already a big fan as a little boy."
Dortmund and Liverpool are two of seven teams who have won both their matches so far in the Champions League, with BVB sitting pretty at the top thanks to their lofty goal difference of +9 after smashing Celtic 7-1.
The German side trail Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich by three points and next face Union Berlin on Saturday, the same day that Liverpool take on Crystal Palace.
