Liverpool youngster Cameron Brannagan is likely to leave Anfield this summer after a contract dispute, reports the Independent. He has been left out of the Reds’ Premier League Asia Trophy squad.
Brannagan was rated highly as a young man, and was even watched by Barcelona and Real Madrid. However, his progress has stalled over the last couple of years, with him spending last season on loan at League One club Fleetwood Town.
Liverpool have told Brannagan that they will not allow him to go out on loan again, without him signing a new contract. He has just 11 months remaining on his current deal. It has been expected that he would sign for a Championship side on loan, for the upcoming campaign.
The player though, is hesitant over signing a new deal. His pathway to the Liverpool first-team appears difficult. Without any assurances, he will not sign the contract.
Brannagan, a set-piece specialist, is not short of potential suitors. With under a year remaining on his current deal, he would be available for a cut-price. Sensing a potential bargain, many clubs are sniffing around.
Stoke City, Hull City and Derby County are all believed to have displayed an interest in the playmaker, according to the Independent report. His future at Anfield looks bleak, having been left out of Jurgen Klopp’s Premier League Asia Trophy squad.
The 21-year old, is a product of the Liverpool academy. He signed for the club all the way back in 2001. Brannagan made his debut for the club on 17th September 2015, in a Europa League tie against Bordeaux. Since then, he has made 2 more appearances for the first-team, without scoring. On 25th October 2015, he signed a new contract at Liverpool, which tied him down at the club until 2018.
The Manchester-born player, has struggled to push on from his 2015 first-team breakthrough. He is still young but now looks like the right time for him to move on.
It will be interesting to see where Brannagan ends up, should he decide to move. There seems to be interest from Premier League and Championship clubs. Perhaps, a drop down to the second tier could be more beneficial, for a player seeking more game time.
