Liverpool are interested in bringing Crystal Palace youngster Joseph Hungbo to Anfield, according to a report from the South London Press.
The publication described the young 17-year-old attacker as someone “who is comfortable playing on the wing or in the Number 10 role.” Hungbo has been with Palace since the age of nine and has made his name by rising through their Oasis Academy programme. So it is fair to say that Liverpool would find it quite hard to lure the youngster away.
Furthermore, Liverpool – who are known to produce some of the finest talents – unfortunately, will have to wait for at least two more years as they are serving a ban which prevents them from signing any Acadamy players from English league clubs. The Merseysiders were accused of tapping up an unknown 12-year-old from Stoke and were later given a ban from signing any Academy players who have been registered with another Premier League or any English Football League Academy.
Coming back to Joseph Hungbo, the report states that he has been playing for Crystal Palace’s U-18 side since he was 15, which perfectly underlines what the youngster is all about. His exploits are not just limited to club levels, as even England’s scouts are monitoring his progress. The 17-year-old is also eligible to play for Nigeria.
A left winger by trade, Hungbo has shown great promise throughout and has been tipped to reach the summit. He has a keen eye for goal – his first goal for the U-18s was an absolute screamer and it is the perfect evidence for it. Palace’s U18s were up against Ipswich and Hungbo, while he was only 15, fired the ball into the back of the net with a superb left-foot volley and his goal eventually proved to be the winner.
Furthermore, the 17-year-old was also the part of that Crystal Palace squad which took part in the IFA U19 Shield last year and helped his side in reaching the semi-final. Hungbo, who signed a new scholarship deal with Palace last summer, is also a recipient of Paul Brooks U9-U16 player of the year. Liverpool have surely identified a gem here but it remains to be seen as to whether the youngster would be made available after Liverpool end their transfer ban.
https://youtu.be/lC5SO5-oNis
