Liverpool striker Ben Woodburn is closing in on a move to Sunderland in a blow to Leeds United, according to the Daily Mail.
The newspaper report that Black Cats manager Chris Coleman, who managed the 18-year-old forward when he was in charge of Wales, is on the verge of closing a deal for the rising star.
The Mail report that Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has agreed to let striker Woodburn leave on loan and the player is keen to link up with Coleman.
The Mirror reported that Leeds have made an approach for the Welsh teenager following Klopp’s decision to loan him out for the rest of the season, provided he is guaranteed significant playing time.
Woodburn burst onto the scene 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.
He has made just one Liverpool appearance this season, in the League Cup, but he was an unused substitute in Monday’s 2-1 Premier League win against Burnley.
Woodburn has an eyecatching scoring record in youth football and has also made waves in the senior game, scoring on his debuts for Liverpool and Wales.
OPINION
It will be a blow to Leeds if they lose out to their fellow Championship big hitters in the race for Woodburn’s signature. Sunderland, Premier League mainstays for so long, are in the relegation mire at the bottom of the table as they face the prospect of a second consecutive relegation. Woodburn is good enough and hungry enough to score the goals to keep them up, just as he is to give Leeds a promotion lift. But the Coleman factor appears to be key here in the race for a youngster he says has all the attributes to “become a great player”. Mobile, direct and with an eye for goal as well as an appetite for the big occasion, Woodburn has a brilliant scoring record in youth football and has showed in his run-outs for Liverpool and Wales that he could be the real deal.