Reviving their interest in Liverpool U21s captain Cameron Brannagan, Barcelona are believed to have scouted the midfielder in recent weeks.

The La Liga giants were linked with a move for the Salford-born star back in 2014, but a deal didn’t materialise, as Brannagan continued his rise through the ranks on Merseyside.

But as they look to bolster their reserve ranks for the 2016/17 campaign, Barcelona have renewed their bid to sign Brannagan, and have scouted the 19-year-old in recent outings for Liverpool’s U21s.

Reports in Barcelona newspaper SPORT claim Barcelona scouts were in attendance as the young Reds defeated Leicester City 2-0 at the King Power Stadium at the beginning of April.

Brannagan lined up alongside Pedro Chirivella and the returning Kevin Stewart in a three-man midfield, and played the full 90 minutes, contributing to a strong team performance.

This was Brannagan’s 11th league appearance for the U21s this season, with the highly rated youngster beginning to make the step up to Jurgen Klopp‘s first team.

Signing a new long-term contract with the club just weeks after Klopp’s arrival, Brannagan seems primed for a bright future under the charismatic German.

But the prospect of a move to Barcelona would surely be tempting for a midfielder who possesses the guile, technique and tactical intelligence to thrive in La Liga.

Brannagan is one of the most promising players in Liverpool’s academy alongside the likes of Chirivella and Sheyi Ojo, and has played six times for the Reds’ first team so far this season.

If Brannagan made the move to Barcelona, he could be joined by fellow youth midfielder Jordan Rossiter through the Anfield exit.

Rossiter is in the final months of his contract on Merseyside, with no extension forthcoming at present, and despite being highly regarded at the club, could cut his stay short and move on at the end of the season.

This would deprive Liverpool of two of their most exciting local talents, and two proven leaders within the academy setup.

For Brannagan at least, Klopp should use Barcelona’s interest as a prompt.

With Emre Can suspended for the next two league games and little left to play for on the domestic stage, now may be the time to unleash the prodigious midfielder on the Premier League.