A deal to bring Monaco’s young attacking star Thomas Lemar to Anfield is unlikely to be completed within the day ahead of the player’s international commitments on Thursday. However, that’s not the end of the story, as Liverpool have a medical team standing by to fly out should a deal be agreed tomorrow.

The French national team are based just outside Paris are preparing to host the Netherlands at 8:45PM CET on Thursday in a World Cup qualifier, and if a deal can be done before then, Liverpool’s team will head out to perform a medical on the player and secure any necessary paperwork to conclude the deal.

So says The Liverpool Echo’s James Pearce, adding his voice to Goal’s Melissa Reddy and The Independent’s Simon Hughes in saying that despite the signing of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Liverpool are still determined to sign 21-year-old French wing and midfield star Lemar.

Liverpool have already bid £75M (€81M) for the player, as well as offering Divock Origi to the Ligue 1 side on loan. Monaco are hopeful of securing a deal closer to €100M and the two sides are currently negotiating with Liverpool hopeful that a compromise can be reached before time runs out.

Liverpool are also hopeful of signing Virgil van Dijk before the close of the window and would be willing to pay £70M to convince Southampton to sell, but as yet no formal offer has been made.