Liverpool are understood to be leading the race to sign Charlton Athletic defender Ezri Konsa. The defender is understood to have a host of Premier League clubs vying for his signature – but Liverpool lead the race, as per Kent Live.

The Merseyside giants are said to be battling it out with local rivals Everton and a host of other interested parties as Addicks’ owner Roland Duchatelet looks to cash in on his prized asset. Konsa was a member of the England under-20 squad that won their World Cup in South Korea last year.

He has already accumulated 68 senior appearances for the League One club and scouts have been flocking to South London to keep tabs on him. The 20-year-old is best known as a central defender but some of his 23 outings this season have been at right-back.

The report adds that Liverpool have emerged as top runners for Konsa’s signature, with manager Jurgen Klopp keen to add the youngster to his squad. The Reds already have one former Charlton prospect on their books, having invaded the League One club to sign Joe Gomez in the summer of 2015.

Gomez has since developed into a regular starter at Anfield under Klopp and even made his England debut last Autumn. It is true that Klopp deserves all credit for Gomez’s rapid development at Liverpool.

Duchatelet, currently negotiating the possible sale of Charlton, is open to a deal for Konsa if the price is right.

As per the report, Charlton boss Karl Robinson has gone on record to say he doesn’t want anybody to be sold – but it is clear that such matters are being done above his head, such as Ricky Holmes being sold to Sheffield United. Robinson said he received an email about that.

Konsa won’t directly walk into Liverpool starting XI as he looks like a future prospect. He might choose Liverpool to foster his development and given Klopp’s record of grooming youngsters, he would be licking his lips if an offer from Merseyside comes up.