Report: Liverpool contact the agent of teenage Barcelona starlet over a potential transfer

Liverpool have approached Barcelona youngster Ilaix Moriba over a possible move

According to 90min.com (h/t Liverpool Echo), Liverpool have contacted the agent of Barcelona starlet Ilaix Moriba over a potential move amidst interest from several clubs.

The youngster, who made it into Barcelona’s senior squad last January, featured prominently for the club towards the end of the 2020/21 season as he earned four league starts, while he made a total of 14 La Liga appearances last season for the Catalan side.

However, the 18-year-old’s contract will be up next summer, and he has refused

 to sign a contract extension at the club, meaning that he will be available on a free transfer next year. 

Earlier this month, it was understood that Moriba was stalling on a new contract at Barcelona because he was close to agreeing a deal with a new club, as per Mundo Deportivo (h/t Daily Mail).

However, Liverpool have since contacted the player over a potential move.  The Reds, who did not have the best of seasons in terms of injuries last year, need to add some quality depth to their midfield line. The departure of Gini Wijnaldum to Paris Saint-Germain has created a vacancy at the club and Moriba could occupy this slot. 

However, a move for the player will not be very simple as there are a host of Premier League clubs interested in the player. According to 90min.com (h/t Liverpool Echo

), Tottenham and Arsenal have made contact with the player’s camp while Chelsea, Manchester United, and Manchester City have also held negotiations over a possible move for the teenage prodigy.

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Additionally, the likes of Leicester City, West Ham United, Wolves, and Everton have also been offered the opportunity to sign the La Masia academy product.

The youngster is a real talent, so much so that Barcelona felt the need to slap an £86million

 release clause on him when he was just 16 years old. While there is no certainty on his value now, Liverpool should aim to sign the midfielder before any other club get their hands on him.