Liverpool are close to sealing a move for Nice's Jean Michael Seri.

The Reds recently joined Arsenal in the race for the midfielder by making contact with Nice officials.

And it seems talks are going well between the two clubs with the French outfit said to open to selling Seri if a respectable offer comes in.

Seri is under contract with the Ligue 1 outfit until 2019 and has a release clause of €40 million (£36.6m), Nice president Jean-Pierre Rivere confirmed back in May.

French sources at TransferMarketWeb claim the Reds are 'about to seal the deal' that will see Klopp pip Arsene Wenger to his signature.

The Gunners have been tracking Seri for some time but will only make a move for the Ivorian if they sell players before the transfer window shuts on August 31.

And TransferMarketWeb claim Liverpool could get him at a discounted price for around €22.5m (£20.5m).

Seri has been dubbed the 'African Xavi' for his playing style in France and the former Barcelona star has even declared his admiration for the 26-year-old.

"When I was told that a Nice player was called the African Xavi, of course I followed him closely," Xavi said.

"I did not know him and I was amazed: I was no longer used to seeing such talent in the middle of the field!" he declared this year.

"He would go so well at Barca... He can play anywhere in the middle. Seri is fantastic. He has what is called in Barcelona the 'Barca DNA'."

Liverpool have only recently joined the race for Seri after failing to land No 1 target Naby Keita.

The Reds had two bids rejected from RB Leipzig for the highly-rated winger but have now decided to pursue Seri as a cheaper and more realistic alternative.

Source: Daily Express

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