Liverpool are reportedly eyeing a transfer move for Colombian centre-back Kevin Mantilla.
The Merseyside club have shown in recent years that they are not against signing young players and putting them in and around the senior squad.
For example, names such as Harvey Elliott, Calvin Ramsay and Fabio Carvalho have all joined the Reds while still being fairly young.
Looking down the road to the end of the current season and the opening of the next summer transfer window, it has been revealed that the Anfield outfit have already got their eyes on acquiring the services of another young talent.
According to a recent report from Italian media outlet Tuttomercatoweb, Liverpool have been watching Mantilla for some time and have received multiple positive reports about the defender.
However, the report also adds that the impact of Brexit could hamper a potential move to England for the youngster.
Sport Witness claim that Liverpool are ‘ready’ to offer €4m (£3.5 million) to acquire the defender’s signature.
Having emerged from Independiente Santa Fe’s youth ranks, the 19-year-old has made 27 senior appearances for the Colombian club across all competitions.
This season has seen the youngster feature in two of Santa Fe’s five league games, making three interceptions and three tackles in the process.
Do Liverpool need to sign a new defender this summer?
Yes
No
Described as “one of the best talents” at the recent U20 South American Championship by journalist Marco Conterio, Mantilla completed the full 90 minutes in all nine of Colombia’s games in the tournament, conceding just five goals in the process.
In terms of a potential move to Liverpool, with the Reds having the likes of Virgil van Dijk (31) and Joel Matip (31) as two of the oldest outfield players in the current squad, it’s easy to see why they may be looking at Mantilla as a potential long-term replacement for either of those players.
Moving forward, if the Merseyside club can get around the potential issues concerning Brexit, they should definitely do all they can to sign the Colombia starlet as he could be a very wise long-term investment for the Reds to make.