Liverpool are monitoring Basel's young defender Manuel Akanji, though may face competition from Borussia Dortmund.

Akanji is 22-year-old, 6ft 1in centre-half who is highly-rated in his native Switzerland and under contract with the country’s most successful club until 2021.

Dortmund are understood to be keen on signing Akanji in the forthcoming January transfer window, while Liverpool are more open to the idea of a summer move.

How Liverpool could line up with Thomas Lemar Show all 12 1 / 12 How Liverpool could line up with Thomas Lemar How Liverpool could line up with Thomas Lemar How could Jurgen Klopp choose to line up? This option is with a 4-1-4-1 formation Getty How Liverpool could line up with Thomas Lemar Goalkeeper: Simon Mignolet BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 02: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Simon Mignolet of Liverpool shows his appreciation to the fans at the end of the Premier League match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Liverpool at Amex Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Brighton, England. (Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images) Liverpool FC via Getty Images How Liverpool could line up with Thomas Lemar Right back: Joe Gomez Getty Images How Liverpool could line up with Thomas Lemar Centre back: Joel Matip Reuters How Liverpool could line up with Thomas Lemar Centre back: Dejan Lovren BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 02: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Dejan Lovren of Liverpool shows his appreciation to the fans at the end of the Premier League match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Liverpool at Amex Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Brighton, England. (Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images) Liverpool FC via Getty Images How Liverpool could line up with Thomas Lemar Left back: Alberto Moreno How Liverpool could line up with Thomas Lemar Holding centre midfield: Jordan Henderson BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 17: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Jordan Henderson of Liverpool during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Liverpool at Vitality Stadium on December 17, 2017 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images) Liverpool FC via Getty Images How Liverpool could line up with Thomas Lemar Right wing: Mohamed Salah Mohamed Salah was on the scoresheet Getty How Liverpool could line up with Thomas Lemar Centre attacking midfield: Sadio Mane LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 10: Sadio Mane of Liverpool shoots and misses during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Everton at Anfield on December 10, 2017 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) Getty Images How Liverpool could line up with Thomas Lemar Centre attacking midfield: Philippe Coutinho BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 17: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Philippe Coutinho of Liverpool during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Liverpool at Vitality Stadium on December 17, 2017 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images) Liverpool FC via Getty Images How Liverpool could line up with Thomas Lemar Left wing: Thomas Lemar Monaco's French midfielder Thomas Lemar runs with the ball during the French L1 football match between Bordeaux and Monaco on October 28, 2017 at the Matmut Atlantique stadium in Bordeaux, southwestern France. / AFP PHOTO / NICOLAS TUCAT (Photo credit should read NICOLAS TUCAT/AFP/Getty Images) AFP/Getty Images How Liverpool could line up with Thomas Lemar Centre forward: Roberto Firmino Liverpool FC via Getty Images

Background

Akanji began his senior career at Winterthur, a club based near Zurich, and after impressing in Switzerland’s second division during the 2014-15 season, he secured a move to Basel.

The youngster forced his way into Urs Fischer’s first team a few months later, making 12 appearances in total before his progress was curtailed in March 2016 by a cruciate knee ligament injury.

The setback kept Akanji on the sidelines for the remainder of the year, meaning he missed Basel’s 2016-17 Champions League group stage encounters with Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain.

Eventually, in February, he returned and was a regular in the heart of Fischer’s defence as Basel secured their eighth consecutive Swiss league title.

How is he doing this season?

Raphael Wicky replaced Fischer as Basel’s manager during the summer but Akanji has retained his status as a first-team regular, appearing in all 28 matches so far this season, starting all but one.

In June, he made his international debut for Switzerland against the Faroe Islands and most recently played in both legs of his country’s World Cup play-off against Northern Ireland.

What’s more, Akanji was named the Rookie of the Year at the Swiss Football Awards in August, following in the footsteps of his highly-rated team-mate Breel Embolo.

When asked about his ambitions for the future after winning the gong, Akanji told award sponsors Credit Suisse: “I want to stay healthy, go with Switzerland to the World Cup, and someday play for Manchester United.”

Who else is interested and will he be allowed to leave?

Akanji was watched by Borussia Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc during Basel’s 1-0 Champions League victory over Manchester United last month.

RB Leipzig, another Bundesliga club who have recent experience of transfer tussles with Liverpool, have also been linked with the young defender.

Basel are thought to want to keep Akanji on their books until at least the end of the season.

Marcel Streller, Basel’s sporting director, has already suggested publicly that Akanji would be allowed to leave for the right price.