Leeds have made a pre-Christmas approach to sign Liverpool youngster Ben Woodburn, according to the Mirror.
The newspaper claim that the Yorkshire giants had made enquiries about bringing the Anfield striker sensation, 18, to Elland Road in January after Jurgen Klopp sanctioned a loan exit
The Mirror report that the Whites are making a move for the young Welsh flyer after Klopp decided to loan him out for the rest of the season, provided he is guaranteed significant playing time.
It is said that Championship rivals Sunderland are also interested in Woodburn, with manager Chris Coleman hopeful of a reunion with a player he handed his international debut.
Woodburn burst onto the scene for Liverpool in a game against Leeds last season, becoming Liverpool’s youngest-ever goalscorer at the age of 17 years and 45 days as he slotted home at the near post to secure a 2-0 EFL Cup quarter-final win.
Good move for Liverpool?
It is sensible for Woodburn and the club that the youngster gets as much experience of senior football as possible. His eye for goal, mobility and appetite for the big occasion make him an exciting package and his former international manager Chris Coleman, who is in charge of Sunderland, is among the teenager’s most ardent admirers, saying, “He has all the attributes to go on and become a great player.” The key is for Woodburn to head to the correct club, where the team’s style will maximise his capabilities and he can get regular playing time. It can only benefit Liverpool if he rips it up at a Championship club in the second half of the campaign.
This Is Futbol rating 7/10
Likely to happen?
Almost certainly, barring a mass injury crisis among Liverpool senior forwards, where Roberto Firmino, Daniel Sturridge, Dominic Solanke and Danny Ings block Woodburn’s path to a first-team spot. The Merseysiders are likely to insist upon their young star getting regular appearances at the Championship club he joins.
This Is Futbol rating 8/10