Liverpool are hoping to complete the signing of Dutch youth international Ki-Jana Hoever from Ajax, Goal understands.
The 16-year-old full-back is expected to join the Reds’ Academy for the new season after turning down offers from a host of rival clubs.
Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City all expressed an interest in the teenager, who is one of a clutch of highly rated Dutch youngsters moving to England.
Chelsea have already signed one, promising defender Ian Maatsen from PSV, while promising forward Jayden Braaf has joined Manchester City.
Hoever, who plays mainly as a right-back, is another tipped for big things. Ajax were keen to sign the former AZ Alkmaar starlet to a professional contract, but the lure of Liverpool has proven too much. He will link up initially at the club’s Kirkby Academy with new U18s coach Barry Lewtas, but is expected to push towards Neil Critchley’s U23s if he settles quickly.
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Liverpool signed England youth international Bobby Duncan from Manchester City earlier this month, and believe they are assembling one of the best collections of young talent around.
Rhian Brewster, perhaps the jewel in their crown, is set to pen a professional deal after snubbing interest from Borussia Monchengladbach and RB Leipzig, while the likes of Curtis Jones, Rafael Camacho, Conor Masterson and Adam Lewis have all made significant strides in the last 12 months. At first-team level, of course, Trent Alexander-Arnold has shone brightly.
A number of young players will get the chance to play their part in the club’s pre-season friendlies, which begins at Chester on Saturday. Ben Woodburn, Harry Wilson, Ryan Kent, Sheyi Ojo and Nat Phillips will all be in contention to feature, though some if not all of those are expected to be loaned out before the transfer window closes in early August.
Lazar Markovic, meanwhile, will be sold despite returning to the club this week after a loan spell with Anderlecht. The Belgian side are keen to sign the Serbian winger on a permanent basis, but face competition from Galatasarary, with Liverpool prepared to take a major hit on the £20 million they paid to sign him from Benfica in 2014. Markovic has made just 34 appearances since then, enjoying loan spells not just with Anderlecht, but with Fenerbahce, Sporting and Hull City, too.
Daniel Sturridge is another set to depart, though as it stands there have been no firm offers for the England international. Sevilla and Fenerbahce are among those monitoring the 28-year-old.
