Sources: Liverpool leapfrog London club in Ismael Ganiou pursuit

Liverpool join Crystal Palace in pursuing Lens defender Ganiou, 21, who signed a new contract until 2030 after rejecting Palace's summer approach.

Liverpool have entered the race to sign Ismaelo Ganiou, the 21-year-old Lens centre-back who has impressed in Ligue 1. The France youth international, who has also represented Burkina Faso, attracted significant attention in the summer transfer window, with Crystal Palace keen to bring him to Selhurst Park after manager Pierre Sage departed for the Eagles.

Ganiou ultimately rejected Palace's advances and instead committed his future to Lens by signing a new contract in August that runs until 2030. Palace's pursuit was hampered by delays in selling Maxence Lacroix, and the club ultimately opted against spending a transfer fee on a centre-back in the summer, instead bringing in Takehiro Tomiyasu on a free transfer and securing loan deals for Axel Disasi and Honest Ahanor.

Liverpool's interest comes as Palace face a defensive crisis under new manager Thomas Frank, who is expected to replace the sacked Sage. The Eagles sit bottom of the Premier League after conceding 24 goals in 10 games, and decision-makers may look to the January window to strengthen their backline.