Liverpool will get a clear run at West Ham United defender Winston Reid in January.
Reid comes off contract in June and Liverpool are expected to bid for him next month.
The People says Arsenal are among the sides keeping an eye on him but they are set to sign Tyrone Mings from Ipswich instead.
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce says that Reid, who will command a wage of around £80,000 per week, has to make a decision soon.
He said: "His contract situation is an on-going factor between the owner and his agent. I would imagine one or both are going to come to the conclusion this has gone as far as it's going to go and can't go any farther."
