Liverpool look set to miss out on Nice midfielder Jean-Michael Seri, who has also been linked with Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Swansea City.
Nice have so far knocked back offers for Seri this summer as none have come close to the €40m release price agreed privately between the club and the player.
Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool recently pushed themselves into the race for the Ivory Coast international after having the door shut in their face by RB Leipzig in their pursuit of Naby Keita.
But in a blow to Liverpool, Seri looks Barcelona bound.
On Saturday night Seri's agent was in Barcelona for talks with the Catalan giants, according to French sports daily L'Equipe, and those around the player are optimistic that a move to the Camp Nou can happen.
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Barcelona have already agreed a contract with Seri and are now set to pay the €40m sum to take him to Spain.
The midfielder, who cost Nice just €700,000 to sign, was recently lauded by former Barcelona midfielder Xavi.
Seri has been nicknamed the "Ivorian Xavi" and the legendary Barcelona star feels the Nice player has "Barca DNA".
