Liverpool Transfer News: Ousmane Dembele, Thomas Lemar, Latest Reds Rumours

Liverpool have reportedly "been offered encouraging signs" in their pursuit of Rennes star Ousmane Dembele, with the Reds and German side Borussia Dortmund the only clubs left in the running to sign the 18-year-old Frenchman.

According to Ed Aarons of the Guardian, Dembele has already revealed he will leave Rennes in the summer, with any deal likely to be worth up to £28 million, and Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp reportedly "impressed" the youngster when he spoke with him recently:

Dembele has been a breakout star in Ligue 1 this season, netting 12 goals and providing five assists while playing across the Rennes front three, per WhoScored.com.

He has drawn interest from a number of top clubs—including Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City and Leicester City—but Dortmund have been seen as the front-runners to sign him for some time, per Aarons.

Given that the Bundesliga club are guaranteed UEFA Champions League football next season, it would be no surprise if Dembele opted to join BVB over Liverpool.

However, the Reds themselves still have the chance to qualify for Europe's premier club competition in 2016-17 if they can beat Sevilla in the upcoming UEFA Europa League final.

Klopp could well be a big draw for Dembele, as the German manager has a history of advancing young players during his time in charge at Dortmund—see the likes of Mario Gotze, Marco Reus and Robert Lewandowski.

Dembele could be an exciting fit in the Liverpool attacking line alongside Daniel Sturridge, Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho—see some of his season highlights below:

And while Dortmund are still seemingly leading the race to sign the young attacking star, Liverpool remain in the running. 

Elsewhere, Liverpool reportedly have their eyes set on another young French star in the shape of Monaco's Thomas Lemar.

The 20-year-old attacking midfielder has reportedly drawn the interest of Liverpool, Bayern and Atletico Madrid and has been relegated to the bench recently by Monaco manager Leonardo Jardim, who would prefer him to "play well" than "play a lot," per L'Equipe (via Sport Witness).

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If Klopp and Liverpool can turn Lemar's head by offering him more game time, they may be able to tempt him away from Stade Louis II just a year on from his move from Caen, with Monaco potentially "willing to sell if the right offer comes in," per Sport Witness.

Much like Dembele, Lemar has had a breakthrough season in 2015-16, scoring five goals and providing three assists in Ligue 1, per WhoScored.

Should Liverpool miss out on signing Dembele, Lemar would undoubtedly be an excellent alternate target.