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Liverpool have made no secret of their ambition to build for the future by hoovering up the finest young talents across the country and beyond.
The Reds’ academy recruitment strategy has already yielded impressive results, with exciting prospects Rio Ngumoha and Will Wright arriving at Kirkby over the past 18 months.
Ngumoha made the decision to leave Chelsea’s academy in September 2024, attracted by Liverpool’s proven pathway to first-team football.
The choice has already paid dividends, with the winger becoming the youngest goalscorer in club history after netting a dramatic 100th-minute winner on his Premier League debut against Newcastle earlier this season.
Meanwhile, striker Will Wright joined from Salford City in August after Liverpool beat Arsenal to his signature in a deal worth £200,000 plus add-ons.
Now, according to the Daily Record, Liverpool are setting their sights on another highly-rated youngster – Celtic’s Dara Jikiemi.
The 15-year-old central defender, who captains the Scotland Under-15s, has reportedly caught the eye of Liverpool scouts who have watched him on multiple occasions this season.
Academy chiefs at Anfield are understood to be “pushing” to complete a deal for the teenager next summer, with the versatile defender capable of operating both at centre-back and in midfield.
Liverpool face competition from Nottingham Forest, who are also closely monitoring Jikiemi’s progress.
The situation is complicated by cross-border regulations.
While Jikiemi can sign professional terms with Celtic at the end of the season, Premier League rules dictate he would only be able to sign a scholarship deal with Liverpool until he turns 17.
This presents Celtic with a familiar headache.
Should Jikiemi move to England before signing a professional contract in Scotland, the Hoops would only be entitled to training compensation rather than a substantial transfer fee.
Celtic have already seen several promising youngsters leave for English top-flight clubs in recent years, including Ben Doak to Liverpool and Daniel Cummings to West Ham.
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