The Reds were desperate to land Keita this summer, but RB Leipzig refused to sell.
Liverpool failed with two bids for Guinea international, and it appears Barcelona could now chance their arm at getting a deal done.
Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo say Barcelona bigwig Robert Fernandez jetted to Germany last weekend to watch Keita in action.
The midfielder featured in Leipzig’s 2-0 defeat at Schalke in the Bundesliga, and Barca may now attempt a late swoop for his services before the end of the transfer window.
Checking out Schalke star Leon Goretzka was also on the agenda of the Nou Camp spies in the stands, Mundo claim.
The Germany international’s contract expires at the end of the season.
Barcelona are scrapping around for new signings after the £198m departure of Neymar to Paris St-Germain.
Paulinho, Nelson Semedo and Gerard Delofeu have all arrived at the club this summer, but they’ll want to do more business before the end of the month.
Landing Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho looks out of the question, though.
Spanish football expert Guillem Balague told Sky Sports yesterday: “Barcelona set a deadline of 7pm on Sunday for Liverpool to accept their third for Coutinho.
"And that they would retract the offer if it was not accepted.
"Liverpool have not even answered, so that should mean that's the end of that.”
Coutinho hasn't played for Liverpool yet this season after complaining of a back injury.
