Liverpool look set to lose out on an incredible talent thanks to a crazy tactic. The Reds must look elsewhere.
Liverpool are currently on a mission to sign truly elite young talent. Not just those who can develop through the youth system, either - the Reds want those capable of going straight into the first-team.
Giovanni Leoni was an extreme example of that last summer. The 18-year-old had very little senior experience but his efforts in Serie A for Parma were enough to inspire Liverpool towards a £30m deal.
Even the likes of Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez are still young players, despite all they've achieved. Kerkez only turned 22 in November, while the German doesn't turn 23 until May.
Jeremy Jacquet is now another one. The 20-year-old has agreed a move to Liverpool that will kick in after this season. He's proven himself to be one of the most exciting centre-backs in Europe - a massive talent who could become a superstar.
The battle for Said El Mala
Another one of Europe’s wonderkids catching the eye is Said El Mala. The Koln winger has broken through this season, scoring eight times and assisting another three in the Bundesliga.
The 19-year-old is unquestionably a goal-scoring winger - he doesn’t create all that much. And doing that at such a young age is simple remarkable, hence the interest from many of Europe’s top clubs.
The Daily Mail confirmed Liverpool’s watching brief on El Mala. He’ll be viewed as mainly an alternative to someone like Yan Diomande, but a very strong one.
However, it seems that Brighton may steal this one. The Times report on a ‘plan’ from the Seagulls, where they’re willing to go as far as signing his older brother to sweeten the deal.